On the Go with Senior Services: Library Programs for Any Time and Any Place

by Phyllis Goodman

Overview

Not only does this book offer insights into how to better serve all seniors, but it also provides complete step-by-step instructions for dozens of exciting and engaging programs that can be held both onsite and offsite.

While serving the senior population is a standard service in public libraries, it has traditionally focused on in-house programs and homebound services. On the Go with Senior Services is different. With this inspiring and practical guide, your library can rejuvenate its in-house services with new programs and also take them on the road—to retirement and assisted living communities, adult day care programs, and nursing homes and rehab centers.

With such diversity in the senior population, this book describes strategies for designing senior programs that fit your community's needs. It offers a trove of templates for programs that range from crafts, word games, pop culture, pets, holidays, humor, mysteries, technology, and music. It offers tips and suggestions on how to interact with seniors, including those who may have a variety of physical and cognitive needs. There are also guidelines for working with individuals suffering from dementia. A robust list of further resources is provided.

The growing population of seniors presents librarians with new challenges and opportunities, and this book is a valuable guide to navigating and embracing them.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781440872280
Publisher:	Bloomsbury Academic
Publication date:	02/06/2020
Pages:	168
Product dimensions:	8.55(w) x 11.00(h) x 0.45(d)

About the Author

Phyllis Goodman is a recently retired librarian who worked more than 25 years in library services and education.

Table of Contents

Preface
Acknowledgments
Introduction
Part I: Programming for the Older Adult
1. The Older Adult Population
Generations of the Older Adult Population
Profile of the Older Adult
Community and Library Assessments
Library Programming
Creating Relationships with Community Organizations
Working with the Older Adult Population
Conclusion
References
Part II: The Programs
2. Just for Fun
Introduction
Let's Have a Good Laugh
Pets
The Sweet Taste of Candy and Chocolate
3. It's about Time
Introduction
Baseball: America's Favorite Pastime
Local History Programs
Cincinnati: Then and Now
Music of the Decades
Superhero Storytime
Thanksgiving Memories
TV Trivia: The Golden Girls
The Twelfth Month: The Holiday Month
Valentine's Day
4. Places and Puzzles
Introduction
Cruising the Caribbean
Mystery and Detectives
Road Trips
5. Words and Stories
Introduction
Chit Chat: Trains
Storytellers
Summer Reading
Words on Wheels
6. Art-Based Programs
Introduction
Adult Maker Series: Building a Terrarium
Art and Artists
Arts-Based Literacy Outreach
Books and Crafts
7. Mind and Memory
Introduction
Understanding Patrons with Dementia
Mary Beth Riedner
Designing Book and Reading Programs
Project BRIDGE
Library Memory Project and Memory Cafés
Memory Cafés: All Things Ice Cream
Memory Cafés
Music & Memory
The Music & Memory Program
The Music and Memory Program
The Tales and Travel Memories Program
8. Technology Connections
Introduction
Technology Classes without a Computer Lab
Adam Chang
Technology Outreach
Examples of Technology Programs
Apple iPhone: Getting Started
Appy Hour
Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality
Old and New Tech: Virtual Reality and Stereoscopic Devices
Web on Wheels Bus: Mobile Computer Lab
Conclusion
Resource Directory
Index

What People are Saying About This

Jennie Fidler

"Providing programming at senior living facilities may be uncharted territory for many libraries. If you’re looking to begin offering programs for senior residents, start your research with this book. Find inspiration to take seniors to the past or around the world, make everyone an artist or author, empower them to use technology confidently, and connect with people living with dementia."

Beth Flerlage

"This well-researched book will inspire librarians to connect in imaginative ways with seniors in their community. The accessible, instructional writing will be appreciated not only by those new to programming, but also by experienced librarians who can adapt the structure and themes for their patrons."

Martha Matthews

"On the Go with Senior Services is a highly readable, well researched, comprehensive guide to outreach, including many ready-to-go programs. Even first-timers will feel like pros in no time!"

Elizabeth Tait

"This work is a helpful and necessary tool for a librarian involved in and responsible for programming for seniors. I recommend this book, as it fills a void in training and offers insight into characteristics and experiences associated with aging as well as programming guidance and suggestions. Particularly informative are the profiles of the different groups included within the aging population demographic."

Editorial Reviews

Adult service librarians will find practical ideas that can easily be adapted to fit their own community.” —Library Jourbanal

From the Publisher

08/01/2020

The needs of adult library users vary greatly across age groups. Goodman, a retired adult services librarian, identifies a gap in services for users over 65, especially for those unable to come to the library. She gives a broad overview of the characteristics of the various generations, along with an outline of issues related to aging brains. The author recommends both a community and a library assessment in preparation for creating an action plan. She advocates taking programming into the community, partnering with other agencies serving the elderly. Part 2 provides detailed outlines for potential programs including discussion questions, suggested resources, and a list of references. The ideas proposed here are easily implemented and helpful. For a program on candy and chocolate, Goodman suggests creating a Powerpoint on the history of candy, recommending a mystery series featuring candy, showing a DVD of xWilly Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, and offering candy samples. She compiles a list of discussion questions to prompt patrons to recall their favorite candy growing up. VERDICT Adult service librarians will find practical ideas that can easily be adapted to fit their own community.—Judy Solberg, Sacramento, CA

Library Journal