Public library programs and services for midlife and beyond : expanding opportunities for a growing population

Title:

Author:

Bennett-Kapusniak, Reneé K. author

ISBN:

9781440857782

Publication:

Santa Barbara, California : Libraries Unlimited, [2018]

Physical Description:

197 pages ; 24 cm

Abstract:

"Public Library Programs and Services for Midlife and Beyond offers practical examples in areas including community collaboration, outreach, marketing, engagement, technology and social media, funding, and lifelong learning. It also incorporates up-to-date findings from the ALA's Guidelines for Library Services with 60+ Audience: Best Practices. Examples gathered by the author from extensive interviews with public librarians and directors illustrate what a range of libraries is successfully doing for the midlife-and-beyond community and encourage creative thinking about new programs and services."--Goodreads.

Subject Term:

Libraries and older people.

Public libraries -- Activity programs.

Libraries and older people. (OCoLC)fst01199291

Public libraries -- Activity programs. (OCoLC)fst01765703

Local Subject:

LIBRARY AND INFORMATION SCIENCE COLLECTION

Available:

Library	Call Number	Material Type	Status
Searching... State Library of Oregon	027.622 Benne	4-Week Loan	Searching... Unknown

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Summary

Inspired by trends in U.S. public libraries, this book teaches librarians how to create a welcoming environment that enriches, enlightens, and engages their library's growing aging community.

The number of adults aged 50+ coming to public libraries is steadily increasing. These patrons include active, healthy, tech-savvy professionals; people who have little or no computer training; retirees; travelers; and those who have age-related health and behavior issues. Public libraries have an opportunity to provide services for this growing and varied group. This book teaches librarians how to develop and expand adult public library programming and services, turning their library into a welcoming environment for the aging community.

Public Library Programs and Services for Midlife and Beyond offers practical examples in areas including community collaboration, outreach, marketing, engagement, technology and social media, funding, and lifelong learning. It also incorporates up-to-date findings from the ALA's Guidelines for Library Services with 60+ Audience: Best Practices. Examples gathered by the author from extensive interviews with public librarians and directors illustrate what a range of libraries is successfully doing for the midlife-and-beyond community and encourage creative thinking about new programs and services.

Author Notes

Reneé K. Bennett-Kapusniak , PhD, is a librarian at Saratoga Springs Public Library. She earned her doctoral degree in information studies from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.

Summary:

Reviews (1)

Library Journal Review

Serving the aging population is challenging-the health, work, leisure, mobility, educational, technology, and relationship interests of older adults do not fit into tidy categories. Bennett-Kapusniak (Saratoga Springs P.L.) surveyed public libraries throughout the United States and found that though few programs are designed specifically for adults age 50 and older, many older adults do frequent the library. She addresses how libraries adjust their physical layout, collections, and staffing to serve these patrons and examines volunteer opportunities, digital literacy, lifelong learning, outreach, marketing, and funding. The chapter on developing engagement strategies with older adults will be of interest to readers planning new services. VERDICT This clear snapshot of the aging population and libraries will offer little new to readers well versed in the subject. However, those unfamiliar with the topic will receive a solid introduction.-Lydia Olszak, Bosler Memorial Lib., Carlisle, PA © Copyright 2018. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Preface	p. vii
Acknowledgments	p. ix
Chapter 1 Introducing 50+ Adults and Their Library Services	p. 1
Chapter 2 Not Just Your Average Retiree	p. 17
Chapter 3 Landscaping and Curb Appeal: The Physical Library	p. 25
Chapter 4 Ready or Not, Here They Come: What about Programming?	p. 37
Chapter 5 Computers, Facebook, and the Internet: Technology and Social Media	p. 65
Chapter 6 Fostering Lifelong Learning at Any Age	p. 81
Chapter 7 Community Collaborations	p. 89
Chapter 8 Don't Just Sit There: Reach Out!	p. 105
Chapter 9 Not Just Books Anymore: Marketing Strategies for Your Library	p. 117
Chapter 10 Where Has AU the Money Gone? Funding Strategies	p. 129
Chapter 11 Going Down a Two-Way Street: Engagement Strategies	p. 143
Chapter 12 Future Outlook	p. 155
Appendix A Randomly Selected U.S. Public Libraries	p. 159
Appendix B Resource Links	p. 175
Appendix C Patron Links for Library's 50+ Web Site Page	p. 179
Appendix D Contributing Public Libraries	p. 181
References	p. 185
Index	p. 193

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Table of Contents