FOR IMMEDIATE
RELEASE
April 12, 2006
Press Contact
for IMLS
Eileen Maxwell
202-653-4632, emaxwell@imls.gov
Press Contact
for ALC
Vandra Thorburn
646.336.6236, vthorburn@lff.org
Library
Leaders Issue Guidelines to Reshape Libraries for Baby
Boomers
New Report Includes
“Call to Action” on Libraries and Active Older
Adults
NEW YORK—As
the first of the baby boomers turn 60, public
libraries are preparing to offer creative alternatives
to retirement to a generation well-known for their idealism
and activism. A new report from Americans for Libraries
Council (ALC) and the Institute of Museum and Library
Services (IMLS) describes this demographic revolution
and offers guidance and examples of model programs to
public libraries interested in connecting these active
older adults to new opportunities for learning, work,
and community service.
Designs for Change: Libraries
and Productive Aging gathers insights from
a day-and-a-half-long Library Leaders Forum, held September
26- 27, 2005, in Washington, DC. The forum assembled 40
of the nation’s top library leaders to consider
the impact that the growing number of active older Americans
will have on libraries and future librarians. Forum participants
concluded that traditional adult services for “seniors”
fall short in appealing to the interests of these older
adults, and don’t take full advantage of their willingness
to work, volunteer, and impart expert knowledge within
the community.
“Libraries have the potential to make
the process of re-imagining and revision possible,”
said Mary Catherine Bateson, anthropologist, author, and
one of the forum’s featured speakers. “People
need to rethink what they can become.” Eugenie Prime,
Chair of the National Library of Medicine and former Director
of Corporate Libraries at Hewlett Packard, concurred.
“It would be insane to offer the same solutions
for today’s challenges and opportunities as yesterday’s.”
A theme throughout the forum was the need to rethink stereotypes
of aging and to find new ways in which libraries can connect
older adults to opportunities that benefit both individuals
and their communities.
“This forum addressed a primary goal
of the Institute of Museum and Library Service’s
Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian program: preparing librarians
to engage all Americans, including older adults,”
said Mary L. Chute, Deputy Director for Libraries at IMLS.
Diantha Schull, president of ALC, added, “Both ALC
and IMLS recognize that to take full advantage of the
aging opportunity, librarians need to reconsider their
attitudes, practices and professional preparation.”
In addition to Bateson and Prime, the forum
report features insights from author Gene Cohen; Lawrence
Grossman, co-founder of the International Longevity Center
and the Digital Promise Project; and Jeanette Takamura,
Dean of the School of Social Work at Columbia University.
“The discussion at the forum was greatly enriched
by leaders from complementary fields including social
work, gerontology and education,” said Gloria Coles,
ALC’s National Lifelong Access Director.
The Leaders Forum is part of ALC’s
Lifelong Access Libraries, an initiative to advance
a new model for library services focused on active, engaged
older adults. Lifelong Access Libraries is supported
by a $2.7 million grant from the Atlantic Philanthropies.
Other components of the initiative include development
of a Lifelong Access Libraries National Institute,
Lifelong Access Fellows, Lifelong Access Centers of Excellence
and a national network of Lifelong Access Libraries.
ALC is working with leaders of national and state library
associations, state librarians, library educators and
other library leaders to carry out the four-year initiative.
“By involving retirees in their communities,
libraries can promote healthier aging while also helping
to strengthen communities,” said Coles.
Download
Designs for Change: Libraries and Productive Aging
(PDF format; 1.7 MB). Hard copies may be obtained directly
from ALC at 646.336.6236.
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