With Funding from The John A. Hartford Foundation, ALA Announces Aging Together: An Evaluation of Library Programming for Older Adults

CHICAGO — The American Library Association (ALA), with $388,363 in support from The John A. Hartford Foundation, announces Aging Together: An Evaluation of Library Programming for Older Adults, an initiative to support a national evaluation to better understand the current state of library programming for older adults and to identify and disseminate best practices and replicable program models.

For many older adults, public libraries are vital community spaces for learning, recreation, wellness and social connections. As this population continues to grow, libraries face an important opportunity to design programs that respond to their evolving needs. Yet with limited research on the impact of library services for older adults, there is a need to fill the gap. Aging Together will equip libraries nationwide to strengthen programs that reduce isolation, support health and well-being, provide end-of-life resources and assist caregivers.

To guide this work, ALA will conduct a landscape analysis of existing programs, resources and data and produce a final report providing insights, program models and recommendations. A project advisory committee composed of library leaders, community partners, national organizations and The John A. Hartford Foundation will help inform the research. ALA will also partner with the nonprofit research organization Knology to analyze data and produce the reports.

The ALA Public Programs Office and the Public Library Association will open a call for advisors in November 2025. The landscape report is expected to be published in February 2026, followed by the final report in February 2027.

This project is generously supported by The John A. Hartford Foundation, a private, nonpartisan, national philanthropy dedicated to improving the care of older adults. The leader in the field of aging and health, the Foundation has three priority areas: creating age-friendly health systems, supporting family caregivers, and improving serious illness and end-of-life care. Learn more at www.johnahartford.org.

About the American Library Association

The American Library Association (ALA) is the foremost national organization providing resources to inspire library and information professionals to transform their communities through essential programs and services. For more than 140 years, the ALA has been the trusted voice for academic, public, school, government, and special libraries, advocating for the profession and the library’s role in enhancing learning and ensuring access to information for all. For more information, visit ala.org.

About the ALA Public Programs Office

The American Library Association (ALA) Public Programs Office empowers libraries to create vibrant hubs of learning, conversation, and connection in communities of all types. Learn more at www.ala.org/ppo.

About the Public Library Association

The Public Library Association (PLA) is the largest association dedicated to supporting the unique and evolving needs of public library professionals. Founded in 1944, PLA serves nearly 9,000 members in public libraries large and small in communities across the United States and Canada, with a growing presence around the world. PLA strives to help its members shape the essential institution of public libraries by serving as an indispensable ally for public library leaders. For more information about PLA, contact the PLA office at 1 (800) 545-2433, ext. 5PLA, or pla@ala.org.