Exercising at the Library: Small and Rural Public Libraries in the Lives of Older Adults

2022 ◽  
Vol 92 (1) ◽  
pp. 5-23
Author(s):  
Noah Lenstra ◽  
Fatih Oguz ◽  
Christine D’Arpa ◽  
Lindsey S. Wilson
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Public Libraries

scholarly journals The Community-Based Information Infrastructure of Older Adult Digital Learning

2017 ◽  
Vol 38 (s1) ◽  
pp. 65-77 ◽  
Author(s):  
Noah Lenstra
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Public Libraries ◽  
Social Institutions ◽  
Information Infrastructure ◽  
The United States ◽  
Public Institutions ◽  
Digital Learning ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Technology Learning ◽  
Institutional Contexts

Abstract In the United States of America, senior centers and public libraries are ubiquitous social institutions found in virtually every municipality. This article analyses these institutions as community-based information infrastructure in the digital learning practices of older adults. Older adults turn to these institutions to learn technology in retirement. How learning takes place in these spaces is shaped both by the institutions, and by the older adults. Negotiations between institutions and older adults shape digital learning. These negotiations are shaped by societal ageism. This article shows that older adults are not passive participants in technology learning, using services provided for them by others, but instead actively shape both how learning services are proffered and the institutional contexts in which these services exist. By learning to embrace the agency of older adults, these under-funded public institutions could powerfully reconfigure themselves for an information society that is also ageing.

Mitigating the Challenges and Capitalizing on Opportunities: A Qualitative Investigation of the Public Library’s Response to an Aging Population

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-14
Author(s):  
Kaitlin Wynia Baluk ◽  
Meridith Griffin ◽  
James Gillett
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Staff Training ◽  
Public Libraries ◽  
Population Aging ◽  
Aging Population ◽  
Later Life ◽  
The Public ◽  
Public Librarians ◽  
The Many ◽  
Depth Interviews

ABSTRACT Public libraries are community hubs that can both create opportunities and address challenges often associated with later life and population aging. Using a thematic analysis of 18 in-depth interviews with public librarians, this study investigates common practices and challenges experienced while developing programs for older adults. This analysis is augmented by an environmental scan of older-adult programming offered in member libraries of the Canadian Urban Library Council (CULC). Results indicate that public librarians leverage community partnerships and staff training to develop programs that foster digital, financial, language, and health literacy and create opportunities for both intergenerational and peer social connection. At the same time, they face challenges related to limited space, budgets, and staff capacity, difficulty meeting the extensive and often conflicting interests of various groups within the library, and marketing programming to older adults. Findings indicate that public libraries may be key players in mitigating challenges often associated with having an aging population, and indeed highlight the many benefits of valuing and providing services to this population.

scholarly journals Public Libraries Could Better Serve Older Adults by Having More Programming Specifically Directed Toward Them

2014 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 70 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ann Glusker
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
United States Of America ◽  
Adult Literacy ◽  
Public Libraries ◽  
Public Library ◽  
Well Being ◽  
The United States ◽  
Capital City ◽  
The Impact

A Review of: Bennett-Kapusniak, R. (2013). Older Adults and the Public Library: The Impact of the Boomer Generation. Public Library Quarterly, 32(3), 204-222. doi: 10.1080/01616846.2013.818814 Abstract Objective – To determine whether programming at public libraries in the United States is aimed at older adults, and whether the programs help older adults maintain their health and well-being. Design – Web site evaluation. Setting – Public libraries in the United States of America. Subjects – The main library of each public library system located in the capital city of each of the 50 states in the United States of America. Methods – A scan of each of the web sites of the selected public library branches was performed by the author, to determine the number of programs specifically directed towards older adults. Main Results – The scan of sites indicated that there was very little programming specifically aimed at older adults and their needs. Mainly, offerings for older adults took the form of mixing in with adults of all ages. Computer technology class offerings were particularly lacking. The majority of libraries had programs to teach how to access library resources and electronic media (although not necessarily aimed at older adults), programs for those who are less mobile, as well as some adaptive technology for those with sensory disabilities. In addition, the majority of libraries had adult literacy programs, and active collaboration with community organizations. Conclusions – Public libraries can do more to develop programs specifically for older adults. They should take into account the wide diversity of older adults’ information and other needs. In particular, they should consider offering programs that focus on technological skills, and also should offer assistive technology for older patrons. There also needs to be more research on the needs of older adults, from the perspective of the patrons themselves and that of library staff.

scholarly journals Mind the Gap: Towards the Integration of Critical Gerontology in Public Library Praxis

2017 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicole K. Dalmer
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Older Adult ◽  
Public Libraries ◽  
Public Library ◽  
Library Services ◽  
The Public ◽  
Critical Gerontology ◽  
The Past ◽  
Current State ◽  
Aging Populations

Aging populations challenge public libraries to adapt their materials, services and programming to maximize the wellbeing and functional capacity of older adults and enhance their social participation and security. For older adult patrons using public library spaces and services, the capacity to which the public library has been able to deliver on these qualities remains unclear. In the past, libraries and library staff have been critiqued for narrowly interpreting the needs of older adults, concentrating on aging as a loss or deficit. To understand the current state of Canadian urban public library services for older adults, publically accessible texts, documents and reports made available on five public library systems' websites were analyzed. This analysis uncovered certain gaps in adherence to key guidelines in the Canadian Library Association's Guidelines on Library and Information Services for Older Adults and revealed a lack of integration of older adults' own ideas and feedback for their programs and events. The incorporation of a critical gerontology approach throughout the analysis begins to elucidate this study's findings and calls for the questioning of current conceptualizations of older adults and the library services created for them. Public libraries are uniquely poised to engage with older adults and the addition of a critical gerontology lens in library practice and research will aid in the refocusing of resources and policies to more responsively support older adults' evolving needs.

Library services to an aging population: A nation-wide study in the United States

2019 ◽  
Vol 52 (3) ◽  
pp. 738-748 ◽  
Author(s):  
Noah Lenstra ◽  
Fatih Oguz ◽  
Courtnay S. Duvall
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Staff Development ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Sampling Method ◽  
Public Libraries ◽  
Public Library ◽  
The United States ◽  
Library Services ◽  
Study Results

This study presents a large-scale study of public library services to older adults in the United States. A random sampling method was used to identify public libraries (n=226) for the study. Results suggest that libraries serve their aging communities in multiple ways. Some libraries provide a plethora of specialized programs focused on the specific needs of older adults. Others extend core library services to ensure they are accessible to older adults. Others invest in infrastructure and staff development to prepare for an aging society. Some do not provide any specialized programs or services for older adults. There is great unevenness in terms of library services for older adults across the nation. The discussion suggests additional work needed to better understand this unevenness, and to address it.

scholarly journals How older adults would like falls prevention information delivered: fresh insights from a World Café forum

2016 ◽  
Vol 37 (6) ◽  
pp. 1179-1196 ◽  
Author(s):  
LINDA KHONG ◽  
CAROLINE BULSARA ◽  
KEITH D. HILL ◽  
ANNE-MARIE HILL
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Public Libraries ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Falls Prevention ◽  
Peer Educators ◽  
Sources Of Information ◽  
Future Design ◽  
World Cafe ◽  
Community Forum ◽  
Alternative Sources

ABSTRACTTranslation of falls prevention evidence into practice is problematic. Understanding older adults’ views about falls prevention information could enhance delivery of falls prevention, resulting in better engagement and uptake of recommended activities. The aim of this study was to examine the views and preferences of community-dwelling older adults about seeking and receiving falls prevention information. A community forum using a modified World Café approach was conducted. Participants discussed five topic areas in small groups, under the guidance of table facilitators. Perspectives were captured on paper. Thematic analysis was conducted to identify factors that influence participants’ engagement and uptake of information. Seventy-three older adults participated in the forum covering wide-ranging preferences around falls prevention information. Personal experience was considered the key influence on an older adult's decision to initiate seeking information. While health professionals were often approached, alternative sources such as public libraries, peer educators and seniors’ organisations were also favoured as credible sources of information. Older adults proposed falls prevention information should be delivered with a positive tone, coupled with highly valued qualities of respect, empathy and time to listen to foster motivation to engage in recommended activities. Consumer-focused practical strategies were proposed to potentially improve future design, communication and dissemination of falls prevention information. This improvement could enhance engagement of messages and subsequent uptake of falls prevention recommended strategies.

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