1. Library Outreach Services
Serving Older Adults in Public Libraries
By Stephanie L. Miller

2.  You are the new adult
services librarian.
◦ What are your goals for
2012?
◦ What are your plans?
◦ How do you plan to reach
out to older adults in your
community?
New Adult Services Librarian

3.  To identify the older adult population’s information needs in
your community
 To review and evaluate the current older adult outreach
efforts and programming activities at your public library
 To develop a better library experience and enhance the
services that will serve the older adult population
Goals of Presentation

4.  How frequently do older adults visit your library?
 What are your library’s current older adult outreach efforts?
 Are there any current older adult programs, activities, and
events scheduled at your library?
 Do you believe that you have met the needs of the older
adult population in your library’s community?
Quick Library Evaluation

5.  Who is considered an older adult?
 What were the significant events that impacted their lives?
 What challenges do older adults face in 2012? How can
librarians assist older adults with their challenges?
 What are the values of older adults?
 What are the dreams and goals of the older adult
population?
Brainstorm

6.  Do you know the approximate older adult population living
in your library’s community?
 What do you know about the older adult population?
(ethnicity, religion, language)
 What are their interests and hobbies?
Important Questions

7. ◦ Market research
 Gather primary research:
◦ Quantitative and qualitative
◦ design patron satisfaction surveys, polls, questionnaires,
comment/opinion inquires
◦ Collect information on library programs and events attendance
◦ Listen to verbal feedback from older adult population through
reference transactions
◦ Observe the services used by the older adults who attend your
library
Market Research

8.  Secondary Research
◦ Government Information
 Demographicdata
 national, state, and local statistics on older adults
◦ Free or Subscription based Information
 Newspapers, magazines and journals and trade publications
 Professional Associations (RUSA, ALA, PLA and etc.)
Market Research Cont.

9.  Top information needs for older adults
◦ Government and financial information
◦ Health, retirement, and senior living information
◦ Readers’ advisory
◦ Recreation information
◦ Computer training
Information Needs

10.  Valerie is a 65 years old retired nurse and recent widow who
lives without any children. She has aspirations to find a
part-time job. Valerie doesn’t like the idea of being alone at
home. She has a resume, but applying for jobs online
overwhelms her. Outside of looking for a part-time job her
next goal is to travel. Her interests include traveling,
attending church, and making new friends.
Story of an Older Adult

11.  What outreach efforts and
programs would you create to
welcome the library patron
into your library?
 How would you serve the
library patron if she were to
enter your library?
 How would you describe the
patrons’ information needs?
 What programs and activities
are at your library to assist the
patron?
Help the library patron

12.  Strategic planning
◦ Start writing about key goals, strategies, and possible outcomes
 Grant Writing: find funding to support your outreach projects.
◦ Library Services and Technology Act Grant (LSTA)
 Collaborate with organizations in the community
◦ Examples include the Senior Citizen Homes, Health Agencies, Hospital,
◦ and nursing homes
 Tell the library’s story
◦ Develop strategies to tell older adults about your library services.
Get Started

13.  Mission Statement
 Objectives/goals
 Current library services
 Situational Analysis
 Market Research Analysis
Strategic Outreach Plan

14.  Strategies for outreach and engagement
 Budget
 Implementation of outreach plan
 Targets and deadlines
 Expected results
Strategic Plan Cont.

15.  DIY crafts
 Game nights
 Business and health information
fairs
 Book Club discussions and
storytelling events
 Professional development
 Retirement information sessions
 Genealogy workshops
 Digital literacy workshops
Older Adult Programming and Services

16.  ALA Office for Literacy and Outreach Services. (2010). Keys to Engage
Older Adults @ Your Library. American Library Association. Retrieved from:
http://www.ala.org/ala/aboutala/offices/olos/toolkits/olderadults.cfm
 Guidelines for Library and Information Services to older Adults. (2008).
Reference & User Services Quarterly, 48(2), 209-212. Retrieved from
EBSCOhost
 Dempsey, B. (2007). WHAT BOOMERS WANT. Library Journal, 132(12), 36-
39. Retrieved from EBSCOhost
 Durrance, Joan C., Fisher, Karen E. Hinton, Marian B. (2004). How
libraries and librarians help: A guide to identifying user-centered
outcomes. Chicago: American Library Association.
Helpful Resources

17. Contact me for more information:
Stephanie L. Miller, MLIS
smille177@gmail.com