(Jean E. Coleman Library Outreach Lecture)

Speaker:  Kathleen (Kathy) Mayo, Lee County Library System, Ft. Myers, FL

This was fun.  I learned about OLOS, ALA’s Office for Literacy and Outreach Services.   Kathy gave her “12 step program” for serving the elderly.  Arriving late, I missed the first 3!

1. ??
2. ??
3. ??
4. Utilize engaged dedicated volunteers.  For things such as computer classes, volunteer coordinator, website. . .
5. Collections.  Don’t forget to keep elderly in mind; they don’t always like just what’s popular.  Large print is only one piece of what they need.  Music, sound recordings, old radio shows.  Program resources for activity directors at residential homes, etc.   ElderSong.   DVDs of old movies, etc.   Book discussion kits.  Talking books (they’re finally becoming digital!)
6. Programs both in and out of the library.  Character portrayals.  Humanities programs.  They like to “feel like they’re going back to school.”  Local history.  Book and film discussions.  Gaming.
7. Accessibility.   Great signage.  Electric doors.  Book drop accessible from car—may be hard for elders to get out of car and use other book drop.  Lighting.  Magnification tools.  Basic assistive devices.  Captioning for programs.
8. Great web site dedicated to interests of elders.  See Hennepin County, Cleveland.  Blog—introduces them to social networking.  Make it easy to fine the services you offer for them.
9. Consider a Senior Space in your library.  You already have a Teen Space!  Dedicated computers for them.
10. Promote what you’re doing for them.  Flyers in large print!  Presentations at organizations.  See Lighthouse International.
11. Staff.  Have services to seniors in somebody’s job description.  They should represent the library at coalition meetings.

(Somehow I only ended up with 11!)

Things/ideas expressed by members of the audience:

• Veterans programs through the Library of Congress.   Recording vets’ stories.
• created series of lectures (on social security, keeping elderly parent in their home, etc.) in conjunction with hospital, through a grant from local Agency on Aging.
• Working with American Society on Aging.  (ASA)  Their 2010 conference is in Chicago.  ALA is starting to explore collaboration with them.
• There isn’t enough being written about library services  to the elderly.  Plea:  Share your ideas, programs, etc.  Write them up and share them.