Library Service to Older Adults with Special Needs

Committee Charge

To improve the quality of library service to the impaired elderly, including those with physical handicaps, emotional problems, those in institutions, in group living situations and the homebound who cannot avail themselves of traditional library service; to develop standards of library service in this area; to cooperate with organizations representing other disciplines working with the elderly; to develop innovative techniques of service with the frail elderly; to support and foster library programming for specific needs in this area; to encourage and develop instruction pertinent to establishing on-going programs in library schools and continuing education courses; to serve as a clearinghouse for information, ideas, materials, programs, and human resources available for library service to the impaired elderly; and to raise the awareness of other ALA divisions of the needs of this group.