Public Library Programs and Services for Midlife and Beyond: Expanding Opportunities for a Growing Population

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.

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

About the Author :
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.

Review :
Given the soaring number of library patrons who are 50 years or older, this book couldn't be more timely. . . . Although the book is, obviously, most concerned with the population mentioned in its title, many of the ideas listed will have broader appeal. . . . [T]his is a very thorough resource that should prove useful to libraries that seek to more effectively serve their senior patrons. A valuable guide to instruct and inspire public librarians in launching or expanding programs and services for adults 50+… a welcome and informative addition to the professional collection.