Keys to Engaging Older Adults @ your library

Keys to Engaging Older Adults

Tips and tools on assisting older adults from the ALA Office for Literacy and Outreach Services

About this toolkit

Released in Spring, 2010, "Keys to Engaging Older Adults @ your library" is the fourth library outreach toolkit offered by the ALA Office for Literacy and Outreach Services. Created in response to the concerns of librarians across the country who provide services for the growing numbers of older adults in their communities, this toolkit contains valuable advice on programming, accessibility concerns, finding funding, engagement and implementation, model programs, and more.

Older Adults: Who are they?

America’s older adults are diverse, differing by age, education, life experience, sexual orientation, health, geographic location, and income. 

Active older adults typically live in their own homes or retirement communities, are involved in community activities, and manage their own transportation. 

One of the fastest-growing groups of active older adults today are the baby boomers, the approximately 78 million Americans born from 1946 to 1964. 

Frail elders are typically the oldest adults and often include persons living in residential facilities and those with various disabling conditions.

The Toolkit

Older Adults toolkit

Ordering Printed Copies

Printed copies of "Keys to Engaging Older Adults @ your library" are also available for ALA members. Orders for under 20 toolkits will be sent free of charge (please include ALA personal or organizational membership number); for orders of 20 and over, the charge is $.50/toolkit plus a $7 flat fee for shipping.

Contact

For more information on this toolkit and other resources from ALA on library service to non-English speakers, please contact:

ALA Office for Literacy and Outreach Services
50 East Huron Street
Chicago, IL 60611-2798
800-545-2433, ext. 4294
olos@ala.org