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Intergenerational Library Services
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Web Sites
Generations United
web site: www.gu.org
Center for Intergenerational Learning
web site:
www.temple.edu/departments/cil
Illinois Intergenerational Initiative
web site:
www.siu.edu/offices/iii
More Content
Library Outreach to Underserved Populations
Services to Older Adults
Intergenerational Programs
Benefits of Intergenerational Programs
by Rhea Joyce Rubin (1999)
For Children
- promotes personal relationships with elders (grandparent substitutes)
- develops prosocial behaviors
- fosters positive attitudes toward aging and the lifecycle
- increases empathy
- provides unconditional acceptance and emotional support
- promotes understanding of physical disabilities
- offers the opportunity to learn skills and wisdom of another generation
- stimulates the senses
- provides mentors, role models
For older adults
- fosters personal relationship with a child
- positive, fulfilling use of retirement time
- reduces isolation and loneliness through social contact
- stimulates the senses
- provides unconditional acceptance and emotional support
- improves self-esteem
- offers the opportunity to share a lifetime of experience and skills
- provides chance for reminiscence
For the library
- breaks down barriers between age-distinct departments
- stretches tight resources
- stimulates new sense of purpose for staff
- expands services to a broader spectrum of the community
- provides new source of volunteers
- attracts new library users
- provides opportunity for inter-agency collaboration
For the greater community
- promotes greater utilization of resources and experiences in community
- increases communication among segments of the community
- improves image of children and of older people
- fosters recognition of needs of all age levels
- preserves historical and cultural traditions
- forms partnerships among community organizations and individuals
- enhances community spirit