Designing Adult Services - by Ann Roberts (Paperback)

About the Book

"Discusses the many ways libraries can serve adults of various ages and at different life stages, covering online services, collection development, programming, and lifelong learning"--

Book Synopsis

Focusing on adult patrons ages 19 through senior citizens, this book explains how libraries can best serve this portion of their community's population at different life stages and foster experiences that are "worth the trip"--whether actual or virtual.

Adult library patrons are busier than ever before--working, taking classes and studying for advanced degrees, caring for children, helping their aging parents, taking care of their homes or rental properties, planning and nurturing careers, managing investments and retirement funds, and inevitably retiring. Each of these endeavors can require highly specific learning and education. Throughout their lives, adults continue to have different information needs that the library and its services can fill. Designing Adult Services: Strategies for Better Serving Your Community discusses the many ways libraries can serve adults of various ages and at different life stages, covering online services, collection development, programming, and lifelong learning.

This guide's unique approach simplifies the processes of designing and carrying out a successful adult services program for adult library users in all the various stages of life. The book is organized by age groups, with the respective information needs and life challenges. Each chapter suggests programs, services, and collection development strategies for the life stages. Public library administrators and managers as well as adult services librarians in public libraries will find this guide a must-read.

Review Quotes

"Roberts's holistic approach to addressing the physical, social, and intellectual needs of patrons as they navigate adulthood outshines similar titles. . . . VERDICT A stellar resource for public librarians." --Library Journal

"Best suited for public library administrators and staff seeking new vision, Designing Adult Services will give ample opportunity to view these services from a different perspective and move forward with tangible ideas. Recommended." --ARBA

"Ann Roberts in Designing Adult Services: Strategies for Better Serving Your Community starts with the need for community assessment and evaluation of services. She walks through possible services for different community demographics, including the emerging adult population ages 18-24 in one chapter and ages 25-30 in the next, recognizing the granularity of services that should be considered to be responsive to every demographic need. Chapters on older adults address these patrons and their caregivers. Stressing inclusivity, Roberts offers tips for serving new immigrants, disabled patrons, and the incarcerated. She also includes forms, specific collection development suggestions, and a competencies checklist." --American Libraries

About the Author

Ann Roberts is a reference librarian at the United State Patent and Trademark Office, Public Search Facility. She has worked in public, academic, and government libraries, as well as with historical collections.