OLA SuperConference 2014 Session 421 co-presented with Ruth Berry, eServices Library Technician, Georgina Public Library As a hardware store used to claim, “You can do it. we can help.” Libraries have an opportunity to increase our relevance to the growing population of older adults by anticipating their needs and offering relevant services, programs, and support – from reading recommendations to Skype, e-books, and creating digital media. Learn effective methods and practical examples from two libraries on how this can be accomplished.

1. Boomers, Zoomers & Senior
Surfers – Friendly Programming
Alexandra Yarrow
Wendy Robbins

2. City of Ottawa Older Adult Plan

3. City of Ottawa Older Adult Plan
1. Public libraries rated as “one of the top positive
attributes” in Ottawa by older adults
2. Older adults preferred social /
recreational opportunities
close to home,
accessible by transportation,
and held at convenient times during the day.
3. Certain groups of older adults indicated that
their unique needs were not adequately being
met by existing programming.

4. City of Ottawa Older Adult Plan
4. Low income older adults are particularly
concerned about their ability to engage in
activities due to cost and difficulties with
transportation.
5. Older adults are interested to
learn computer skills as a way
to access information and
stay socially connected;
low income older adults often
cannot afford to purchase a computer.

5. Adults 55+ Survey:
Carlingwood Branch
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•
•
•
•
April – June 2012
Paper only
132 completed
Student volunteer
compiled results
Results shared with
public

10. OPL Programs:
E-Reader tutorials
“Not only did I get the answer to all my questions
but I learned some new questions I can think
about and I was able to improve my general
skills with my iPad.”
Your course was excellent.
“All these electronic devices are slightly
The instructor was kind
different so it really does take one-onand patient and
one training. This is not something
answered all of my
that you can just read about: you need
questions clearly. Thank
you for having this very
someone to show you how and then
informative course for
let you practise a bit to give you the
us ‘old folks.’”
confidence that you can actually do it
at home.”

11. OPL Programs:
Techno buddies
“Omar helped me with my selfesteem. Often people at my church
ask me to send out my sermons by
e-mail. I have made many excuses.
I feel like I now have the steps to
reach out to my community and
connect in a new way. I now am
taking the steps to become
computer literate and I feel a load
has been lifted off my shoulders.
Thank you Carlingwood Branch and
the wonderful volunteers like
Omar”.
I haven’t talked to a male
teen in over 40 years...I
might have a crush.
Now I have a reason to visit
the Carlingwood branch. I
haven’t entered the
building in 30 years!

12. OPL Programs:
Bridging generations
Teen volunteers share their
knowledge of iPads with adults
one-on-one. Adults teach Teens
how to play bridge on an iPad.

14. MIS Thesis, University of Ottawa:
A Place for Us: Baby Boomers, Their Elders, and
the Public Library
•How do baby boomer public library users who
provide care to elders interact with the public
library?
•How do these users experience the library as a place?
•What library use characteristics and behaviours of this user
group suggest opportunities for further investigation?

15. OPL Programs:
Reflections on Aging: a reading circle
• A weekly, six-week session
• Readings drawn from OPL collection
• A respectful, secure space to explore
perspectives on aging with the experience of
others through the writings of a variety of
authors.
• A unique environment to support this
exploration

16. Alexandra Yarrow
Alexandra.Yarrow@BiblioOttawaLibrary.ca
Wendy Robbins
w.robbins@sympatico.ca