Senior Adults in the Library

1. Senior Adults in the Library Angela Miller

2. Introduction • The senior adult population in North Carolina is expected to grow by nearly 400,000 between 2013 and 2020 (North Carolina Office of State Budget and Management, 2013) and double from 1.1 million to 2.2 million by 2030 (Quinterno, 2009, p. 21). • In 2011, senior adults already outnumbered the 0-17 age group in 56 of North Carolina’s 100 counties (North Carolina Office of State Budget and Management, 2013). • By 2014, 65% of current library customers will be between the ages of 50 and 70 (Hildreth, 2006). This fast-growing demographic includes the first wave of Baby Boomers. The oldest Baby Boomers turned 65 in 2011 and the youngest ones will be 65 in 2030 (Cavanagh & Robbins, 2012).

3. The Problem • Despite the growing population and the fact many senior adults have spent decades funding public entities; they are largely disregarded as a library user group (Angell, 2009).

4. Contributing Factors • Many libraries have spaces and staff devoted specifically to children and young adults; few offer senior adults the same level of attention and it is rare to find a library with a designated section for older adults (Decker, 2010; Dempsey, 2007). • Many senior adults have a strong stoic streak and don’t want to be a bother so if a librarian appears rushed or busy, a senior adult may not approach them to ask for assistance (Ahlvers & Trott, 2006). • Graduate school programs offer library students the option of courses pertaining to several age groups but the vast majority of age-related classes are limited to children and young adults and there are few senior services librarian positions available(Angell, 2009).

5. Why is This Important? • The ALA Library Bill of Rights, found on the ALA website states, “A person’s right to use a library should not be denied or abridged because of origin, age, background, or views.” • To stay relevant in the twenty-first century, libraries must modify their service programs to meet the needs of the increasingly older population (Hilbreth, 2006). • Developing new programs and new ways of looking at services to senior adults could establish library programming for generations to come (Dempsey, 2007).

6. Libraries do have some programs in place that specifically target senior adults. Computer training, readers advisory and homebound library services are offered by many public libraries (Angell, 2009).

7. Categories of Primary Needs The primary needs of this group can be divided into 3 broad categories: Information Needs Social Needs Physical Needs

8. Information Needs

9. Senior adults need … • Help plotting retirement that includes work (possibly a new career), volunteerism, leisure, travel and continued learning • Financial planning information • Job training • Healthy living and fitness workshops • Arts, culture, lectures and programs for mental agility • Genealogy and support in capturing life stories (Dempsey, 2007)

10. Technology Needs • A recent study of older adults and their internet use found that more than 50% used the Internet or email and that 70% percent of users over 65, use the Internet daily. 1 in 3 seniors use social networking such as Facebook (Popp, 2013). Technology will continue to be part of everyday life, regardless of age group. • Tech-savvy Baby Boomers will expect the library to keep up with new technology and offer the services to them (Williamson et al, 2009). • The less technologically confident members of this generation will look to librarians to train them in using beneficial technology (Decker, 2010).

11. Community Resources Information • The group also needs information on community resources. The library system in Glendale, Arizona has a Senior Advocate on staff who directs and connects seniors and their caregivers to appropriate social service agencies and organizations (Angell, 2009)

12. Meeting Information Needs • Hire a senior services librarian • Maintain up-to-date information about community resources • Offer workshops and programs in areas of interest • Start/continue to offer home delivery

13. Social Needs

14. Older adults crave human contact and may only get this from their library encounters (Ahlvers& Trott, 2006). • Active older adults seek social and civic connections as well as meaningful engagement in their communities (Hildreth, 2006).

15. Library = Community Hub • In a study of Baby Boomers and their view of libraries, participants were asked what role the library might play in their lives after they retire. Most saw the public library as a potential community social hub and imagined visiting the library for more than just borrowing books. Many participants saw a coffee shop as a vital addition to the library precinct. The library was viewed as a conduit for information sharing, research into issues challenging local communities and the center of an inclusive community (Williamson, et al, 2010).

16. Meeting Social Needs • Use them as volunteers to serve on advisory boards • Borrow from the example of The New York Public Library and hire senior adults part time to plan events (Angell, 2010). • Create a senior space within the library like the public library in Old Bridge, New Jersey, where an initiative created a designated room at the library for seniors (Angell, 2009). • Library programs, which target older adults and provide activities, information, and social interaction relating to their spheres of interest further promotes the library as an indispensable community place. (Decker, 2010).

17. Physical Needs

18. Challenges Associated with Aging • Loss of vision • Decrease in mobility • Loss of hearing • Loss of agility • Loss of strength

19. Meeting Physical Needs • Be certain shelves are spaced far enough apart to allow the use of wheelchairs and other mobility aids • Offer small seats or stools within the stacks so that people may access higher shelves and find a place to sit briefly to scan the contents of a book • Provide counters low enough that an older patron may sit and comfortably speak with a librarian (Decker, 2010)

20. Collect large print books • Collect audio books • Use large font on some computers • Use magnifiers on computers • Start/continue to offer home delivery for those unable to visit the library in person • When possible avoid using the top and bottom shelves to limit stooping and climbing

21. Conclusion • The senior adult population is a rapidly growing demographic currently being underserved by libraries and information professionals. It is essential that libraries evaluate the services they are currently offering to the senior adult population and make changes to maintain relevance. As Angell (2009) writes, “It would behoove the profession as a whole to develop training programs dedicated to serving elderly patrons” (p.32).

22. Recommendations That Won’t Break the Bank • Be aware of your own attitudes toward aging and senior adults • Involve senior adults in activities such as program planning • Be cognizant of physical challenges and social needs • Offer Fine Free Cards for senior adults like Normal Public Library in Illinois.

23. Additional Recommendations for Libraries • Create a senior space within the library • Establish a senior services librarian position • Have staff attend workshops on aging

24. References • Ahlvers, A., & Trott, B. (2006, June 1). Older Adults and Readers' Advisory. Reference & User Services Quarterly, 45, 4.) • ALA Council. (1996, January 23). Library Bill of Rights. Retrieved from http://www.ala.org/advocacy/intfreedom/librarybill • Angell, K. (2009). Boom or Bust: The Need for Senior Services Librarians. Progressive Librarian, 32, 29-35. Retrieved from http://www.progressivelibrariansguild.org/PL_Jnl/contents32.shtml • Angell, K. (2010, September). A senior program grows in brooklyn. Public Libraries, 49, 6-7. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/758991461?accountid=14604 • Cavanagh, M. and Robbins, W. (2012). Baby boomers, their elders and the public library. Library Review, 61(8/9), 622 – 640. See more at: http://www.emeraldinsight.com.libproxy.uncg.edu/journals.htm?articleid=17065499&show=html • Decker, E. (2010) Baby Boomers and the United States public library system. Library Hi Tech, 28(4), 605-616. See more at: http://www.emeraldinsight.com.libproxy.uncg.edu/journals.htm?articleid=1896432&show=html#sthash.TjcmtKCL.dpuf

25. Dempsey, B. (2007). WHAT BOOMERS WANT. Library Journal, 132(12), 36. • Hildreth, S. (2006, Nov). Public libraries and baby boomers. Public Libraries, 45, 6-7. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/217457259?accountid=14604 • Normal Public Library. (2013). Services for Seniors. Retrieved from http://www.normalpl.org/seniors/services/ • Office of State Budget and Management. (2013). County/State Population Projections [Data file]. Available from http://www.osbm.state.nc.us/ncosbm/facts_and_figures/socioeconomic_data/population_estimates/county_projections.shtm • Popp, M. (2013). An Imperative for Libraries. Reference & User Services Quarterly, 52(4), 276-278. • Quinterno, J. (2009,June.) The Demographics of Aging in North Carolina. North Carolina Insight, 23 (2), 21. http://www.nccppr.org/drupal/sites/default/files/protected/insight_article/pdf/Demographics_of_Aging_in_North_Carolina.pdf • Williams, K, Bannister, M, & Sullivan, J. (2010). The crossover generation: Baby boomers and the role of the public library. Journal of Librarianship and Information Science September 2010 42: 179-190, first published on July 16, 2010 doi:10.1177/0961000610368917