50+ Library Services: Innovation in Action

Adults over the age of 55 constitute some of the most engaged and frequent users of public libraries. They may also be the most misunderstood. As Baby Boomers continue to swell their ranks, behaviour and trends in older adults have changed dramatically in the last ten years-and most literature on this topic is hopelessly out of date. Schull, co-editor of Boomers and Beyond, helps improve the situation by: Presenting over a dozen case studies of public library programs for older adults, spotlighting best practices that can be applied at other institutions Detailing a four-year program, presented by the Lifelong Access Libraries National Leadership Institute, that trains librarians to meet the needs of people over the age of 50 Discussing issues such as creativity, health, financial planning, heritage and planning, and intergenerational activities from the over-50 perspective, laying out the trends and implications for libraries Including samples of materials that illustrate new approaches to policies, staffing, programs, services, partnerships, and publicity Containing the keys to reshaping library services for older adults, Schull's book ought to be in the collection of every public library.