Public Library Programs and Services for Midlife and Beyond - by Renee Bennett-Kapusniak (Paperback)

About the Book

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.

• Offers ways to create and expand adult library programs and services and cultivate an appreciation of lifelong learning
• Combines engagement techniques in community collaboration and outreach with practical strategies in marketing and funding
• Explores strategies within current U.S. public library adult services and programs for patrons middle-aged and older
• Details up-to-date ALA guidelines for the 60+ adult population

Book Synopsis

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.

Review Quotes

"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." --Booklist Online

"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." --Public Library Quarterly

About the Author