Aging Together: An Evaluation of Library Programming for Older Adults Advisors

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.

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.

Lori Abbatepaolo has been an Adult Services librarian at Middle Country Public Library (MCPL) since 2004. She began her work with seniors in 2005 and she was selected to participate in the ALA’s Lifelong Access Libraries™ Leadership Institute in 2006. Twenty years later, Lori continues her work with senior programming, overseeing a team of three librarians providing senior outreach, programming, services, two large annual events – Senior Prom and Ring in the New Year – and an annual Senior Resources Fair. In addition to her work with seniors, Lori oversees the Library’s literacy team, which provides basic language learning, English language learning, conversation groups, citizenship classes, digital literacy, and Mujeres Latinas, which creates connection for Latinas who are new to the community. She also coordinates the Library’s participation in 211 Long Island, a Health and Human Services resource created in partnership with United Way of Long Island. Lori supervises the management and maintenance of the resource database, which supports United Way’s call center. Since 2009, Lori has coordinated the operations of the library’s Selden branch building, communicating emerging needs and concerns to administration. She also plays a role in grant writing and the work of the Middle Country Library Foundation, which provides funding for the Library’s regional and national initiatives.

Carol Hartmann is a nationally and internationally recognized leader in dementia care, aging services, and educational program development. As the Director of Education, Training, and Programs at the Alzheimer’s Disease Resource Center (ADRC), she designs and implements innovative training for healthcare professionals, caregivers, and community members, while leading conferences, workshops in Long Island Libraries, and certification courses.

As a Master Instructor for the National Center for Montessori and Aging, Carol specializes in adapting Montessori principles for older adults, particularly those living with dementia. She has successfully implemented programs across the United States and internationally, delivering evidence-based training, mentoring instructors, and advancing research in Montessori aging practices. Carol holds a certification in Ethics in Health Care.

With over two decades of experience managing day health centers, dementia programs, and community-based initiatives, Carol has a proven track record of program design, staff leadership, budget management, and regulatory compliance. She has pioneered therapeutic and recreational programming, developed caregiver support initiatives, and advocated for dementia-friendly practices across healthcare and community settings.

Carol holds an MBA and a Graduate Certificate in Health Care Management from SUNY Empire State College, is NCCAP-certified, and has received numerous awards recognizing her dedication to Alzheimer’s care and professional education. 

Jenna Barry is the Head of Reference at the Charlotte & William Bloomberg Medford Public Library in Medford, MA. She co-chairs the Senior Advisory Board with a colleague and with a dedicated group of 15 senior patrons, plans a monthly program dedicated to a senior audience on a wide range of topics and activities. Jenna has worked at Medford’s library since 2022, before which she worked in educational publishing. She holds degrees from Simmons University and Carleton College. 

Kelly Fung is the Community Partner for Medford Public Library on the Aging Together Advisory Board. After 40+ years working in the fields of HR and administration, she is recently and happily retired in her local community of Medford, MA. In retirement, besides cooking and traveling, Kelly serves as the chair of the Senior Advisory Board (SAB) for the library, helping to coordinate innovative and wide-ranging programming for seniors at the library on a monthly basis. 

Brigid Laborie Castro, MLIS, has worked in public libraries since 2009 and currently serves as the Special Programs Manager for Jefferson Parish Library in Louisiana. In this role, she leads system wide efforts to create welcoming, meaningful, and inclusive programs for older adults, people with disabilities, neurodivergent individuals, and other special populations. Brigid’s career includes extensive experience as both a branch manager and departmental supervisor, with a strong focus on collaboration, accessibility, and responsive community programming. She holds a Master of Library and Information Science from Louisiana State University and is honored to serve as an advisor on the American Library Association’s Aging Together Advisory Board.

Kasey Bealer holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the Louisiana Scholars’ College at Northwestern State University and a Master’s degree in Counseling from the University of Texas at San Antonio, where she focused on supporting older adults at Air Force Village. For more than 20 years, Kasey has been deeply committed to providing meaningful social support and engagement for people living with dementia, serving as a Lifestyle Director in a continuing care retirement community and as Director of a Dementia Day Program in New Orleans.

In 2023, Kasey began working with Teepa Snow and the team at Positive Approach to Care®, an organization dedicated to radically transforming the experience of dementia for those living with brain change and their care partners. Through interactive in-service trainings, hands-on educational workshops, and therapeutic engagement opportunities, Kasey brings practical dementia awareness, education, and skill-building to professionals, families, and communities across the greater New Orleans area and the Gulf South.

Julie Brophy’s work in libraries started in a small academic library in her home state of New York and continued in public service at Charlotte Mecklenburg (NC) Public Library, as a Graduate Assistant in digital services at the University of Maryland’s McKeldin Library, and as a government librarian (contractor) in DC. In 2012, she joined the staff at Baltimore County Public Library, which serves the more than 830,000 residents at 19 branches and on four vehicles. In her current role as the Adult & Community Engagement Manager, she provides leadership on services and programs for adults, looks for opportunities to connect in the community through mobile engagement, oversees social work services, supports community economic development, and cultivates strategic partnerships and collaborations to better meet the community’s needs. Julie believes in the power of partnerships, the library as a non-partisan space for civil discourse, and the importance of listening to your community.

Mary Lynch is a Maryland-based real estate professional with nearly three decades of experience and a deep passion for helping older adults and their families make informed, proactive decisions about housing and aging. She is the Founder and Chair of the Greater Baltimore Chapter of the National Aging in Place Council (NAIPC) and a Certified Senior Advisor (CSA), credentials that reflect her commitment to education across housing, health, finances, and lifestyle planning as we age.

Mary’s work is rooted in both professional expertise and personal experience. Her long and loving caregiving journey with her grandfather opened her eyes to how unprepared many families are when aging-related decisions arrive suddenly. Since then, she has dedicated her career to helping individuals plan before a crisis whether that means safely aging in place, right-sizing to a more manageable home, or understanding all available housing options.

Through community programs, library partnerships, and small-group conversations, Mary focuses on reducing overwhelm, addressing the emotional side of downsizing, and empowering people to make choices that support independence, dignity, and quality of life. She believes aging well starts with information, compassion, and thoughtful planning and that no one should have to navigate these decisions alone.

Janie Hermann is the Manager of Adult Programming at the Princeton Public Library, where she oversees more than 2,000 public programs each year in collaboration with a creative and dedicated staff. Her work brings her into close partnership with a wide range of local organizations and community members, and she is deeply committed to ensuring that library programming not only reflects but elevates the intellectual and cultural life of Princeton. Janie was named a Mover & Shaker by Library Journal in 2007 and has served on the New Jersey State Library’s Blue Ribbon Task Force on the Future of Libraries. She is actively involved with the American Library Association, including service as Chair of the Programming Librarian Interest Group. Janie brings both precision and flexibility to her work—believing that while thoughtful planning matters, the most meaningful moments often come from leaving space for spontaneity.

Donna Cosgrove, Chief Operating Officer, provides the operational and organizational framework that supports the success of the Center for Modern Aging Princeton (CMAP). She brings extensive experience from a range of for-profit and nonprofit organizations and is deeply committed to ensuring CMAP’s diverse programs and operations run smoothly and efficiently. Her leadership empowers staff to carry out the organization’s shared mission with purpose and impact. In her dual role as Director of Social Services, Donna focuses on strengthening CMAP’s commitment to serving older adults, working closely with a team of four social workers to deliver responsive and compassionate support.

Amy DelPo is currently the Library Manager of Adult Services at the Denver Public Library, where she oversees the library’s programs and services for people aged 18 to end of life. Amy has been a librarian for over 15 years, and in that time she has developed a specialization in library programs and services for older adults, for people with Alzheimer’s/dementia, and for caregivers.

Previously, Amy was DPL’s Manager of Older Adult Services – a role that she created. In that role, Amy oversaw all aspects of library service for people aged 50+ in the Denver metro area. She spearheaded a positive aging approach rooted in neurology, psychology, and the social and emotional needs of people as they age.

Amy views age as a gift and a time of great growth and importance. At the same time, she recognizes the hard realities of aging, which can include declining health, ageism, and economic and social marginalization. Amy believes strongly that public libraries are of vital importance to people’s efforts to age well.

For her innovative approach, Amy has received a Metro Vision Award from the Denver Regional Council of Government and a Movers & Shakers award from Library Journal.

Anne Walker’s work as an arts-based communication scholar/teacher/artist includes the overlap of photography, storytelling, and building community across differences. In her research, she used a photographic narrative approach to examine how COVID-19 amplified older women’s grief through cumulative losses, extended isolation, and a dramatic increase in ageist messaging. This work illuminated older women’s sense-making of their losses during the pandemic, a significant time of grief for older adults. In addition to her scholarly work, she teaches college students photography and communication skills such as listening, reflecting, writing, and collaborating. As an artist, she explores personal history through her own photography, drawing, writing, and performance.

Erin DeLucia is the Senior Services System Coordinator at the Ocean County Library. The Senior Services Department is responsible for programming for ages 55+ for the Ocean County Library system and perform outreach to Ocean County senior communities. As Coordinator, Erin rolls out system initiatives for seniors, provides staff trainings, and establishes and maintains community partnerships, notably serving on the Ocean County Senior Advisory Council. Erin has worked for the Ocean County Library for 19 years and has worn a few hats in her career including Teen Librarian and Branch Manager at several locations. Erin received a BFA in photography from the University of the Arts in Philadelphia and her MLS from Pennsylvania Western University Clarion (formerly Clarion University). 

Holly Smith has served as the Social Worker of Aging for the Ocean County Office of Senior Services for nearly three years, where she works closely with older adults and community partners to develop a strong understanding of the challenges and needs facing the older adult population. Passionate about advocacy and service, she helps clients identify and access programs and resources that support their health, independence, and well-being.

Holly maintains active membership with the National Association of Social Workers and is a certified New Jersey State Health Insurance Program (SHIP) Counselor. She currently serves as the SHIP Coordinator for Ocean County, as well, navigating the complexities of Medicare with care and precision, assisting beneficiaries one-on-one both in and out of the office.

After earning her Master of Social Work, with a concentration in International and Community Development, from Monmouth University, her professional journey led her to international experience in Santiago, Chile. Here she applied her skills with Colonias Urbanas children’s camps and the B-Corp, Beyond English.

Outside of her professional work, Holly enjoys spending time with her dogs, relaxing at the beach, swimming in the ocean, and dancing to live music with family and friends.

Meghan Moran is the Assistant Department Head of Customer Services at the Oak Lawn Public Library (IL). For ten years she has brought accurate, fun, and practical programs and resources to older adults. Her passion for public libraries and the affect they have led her to write “Public Libraries and Community Engagement: The Way Forward” in the book Hope and a Future: Perspectives on the Impact that Librarians and Libraries Have on Our World edited by Dr. Renee F. Hill (2021). In addition to her library work, she serves as Board Secretary for Pathlights, a local non-profit whose mission is to inform, support and empower individuals and families as they navigate aging. An alum of Loyola Marymount University (Los Angeles, CA) and San Jose State University (CA), she currently lives in Illinois with her husband, daughter, and two dogs.

Laona Fleischer is the Program Specialist for the AgeOptions Library CARES program in suburban Cook County, Illinois, where she supports 43 public libraries in reducing social isolation among at-risk older adults through engaging, culturally appropriate programming in trusted community spaces. In addition, Laona coordinates partnerships with 10 suburban Cook County aging service agencies through the Housing Assistance/Home Preservation Grant project, strengthening resources for older adults across the region.

A trained leader with the Illinois Pathways to Health initiative, Laona facilitates evidence-based programs, empowering older adults to improve their health and well-being.

Laona has presented nationally on innovative aging services. At the American Society on Aging Conference (March 2024), she delivered sessions on Check Out Your Local Library: A Great Community Partner for Aging Services and Housing and Homelessness for Older Adults: One AAA’s Efforts to Address This with Partners and Resources. At the USAging Answers on Aging 50th Annual Conference (July 2025), she presented Leveraging Libraries: Enhancing Social Cognitive Well-Being for Older Adults. That same year, the Library CARES program received the prestigious USAging Achievement Award in Social Engagement.

Laona earned a MSLIS from Dominican University and previously served as a public Reference and Programs Librarian, focusing on outreach and programming for older adults.

Jodi Grebinoski is the Director at the Virginia Public Library (VPL) in northern Minnesota which is part of the Arrowhead Library System.  She started her position in August 2020 when the library was closed to the public and offering curbside service.  VPL staff has been working on projects, programming and outreach for children and adults. Currently, Jodi is serving on the Virginia Age-Friendly Citizens Advisory Committee and Advisory Council - Older Adults & Nature.  Jodi chaired the 2023-2024 Digital Connection Committee: Quad City Public Libraries

Previously Jodi was the Scholarly Communications Librarian at the University of Minnesota Duluth’s Kathryn A. Martin Library where she managed the digital services unit and provided scholarship support for faculty, students, and staff.  At UMD she started as the Reference and Government Documents Librarian which included reference services, collection development, library instruction and Government Information services.  She began her professional career in 1995 working at public libraries in Memphis, TN, Kinston, NC and Marshfield, WI before moving back to Minnesota.

Jodi has been involved with the Minnesota Library Association since 2004. Jodi just finished her 3-year term as MLA president.  She has been part of the Annual Minnesota Library Association Conference planning committee since 2019. 

Brenda Shafer-Pellinen has served as an Eldercare Development Partnership Program Development Specialist at the Arrowhead Area Agency on Aging since 2016, bringing nearly 20 years of prior legislative experience in policy development and stakeholder collaboration to her work in Northeast Minnesota's seven-county region.

Brenda works with service providers, local governments, and diverse partners to develop innovative programs and pilot system changes addressing the evolving needs of older adults. Her primary focus area includes workforce development, while working as part of a team addressing housing, chore services, transportation, and crisis services. She identifies service gaps and brings cross-sector stakeholders together to address regional challenges.

Her work includes supporting age-friendly communities and businesses to ensure welcoming environments for people of all ages and abilities. She provides technical assistance to federal and state grant recipients, leveraging her expertise in funding acquisition and program development to support community-based aging services throughout the region.

Brenda holds a Bachelor of Arts in Aging Policy and Advocacy from Metropolitan State University and completed certificates in Aging and Disabilities and Care Transitions Training through Boston University.

She serves on the Minnesota Elder Justice Center board and chairs Friends of the Library in Carlton, Minnesota, demonstrating her commitment to aging advocacy and community engagement.

John Piche has worked in public libraries since 1990 and in Adult Reference Services since 1997. One of his first assignments was to assist the Senior Outreach Librarian in taking large print books to four Senior Living facilities. By 2008, he had taken over full responsibility for the outreach program which he led until 2010. When he returned to Cleveland in 2016, he resumed outreach responsibilities, adapting services to a monthly delivery model that focused on individualized patron requests and expanded homebound mailing services, which was especially critical during COVID. In 2021, he joined a library-led initiative to bring Dementia and Senior support programming to the Heights area. This initiative brought together local and state-wide agencies on dementia and aging. Working closely with Benjamin Rose, the Alzheimer’s Association, and Ohio Council for Cognitive Health became the core of the initiative. He became the Library’s lead program coordinator for this work and in the next four years, they developed an Annual Dementia Friendly week of programs featuring physicians national and local and programs, caregiver support sessions, and presentations on current research and treatment. He is responsible for identifying and contacting the speakers, coordinating schedules, arranging logistics and staffing the events.

Megan Huth is the Research Education Manager at the Benjamin Rose Institute on Aging, a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing aging research, education, and services.

In her position, Megan is responsible for providing high-quality information to older adults, family caregivers, and professionals who intersect with the aging population, particularly in the areas of health, caregiving, and policy. Megan coordinates regional in-person conferences and educational webinar series, regularly engaging audiences of 500 or more attendees, as well as attends national conferences to disseminate Benjamin Rose’s work in aging.

Megan has worked extensively on the Best Programs for Caregiving database, a national compendium of evidence-based dementia caregiving programs that supports both service providers and family caregivers. She is also actively involved in Dementia Friendly initiatives, including partnering with Dementia Friendly Cleveland Heights through the Lee Road Library, and serves on the client experience team conducting quality assurance surveys for Benjamin Rose’s client-facing services.

Megan holds a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Baldwin Wallace University, with a focus on cognition and aging and adult development.

Melissa Norr has worked at DC Public Library for twelve years, starting as a library associate and being promoted several times, most recently to branch manager. During her time at DCPL, Melissa has worked at a number of branches across the city, from small Carnegie library branches to large, green-certified new branches. She has on served on several system-wide committees and working groups, led a large number of in-branch and outreach programs, and coordinated large-scale multi-program contracts with partners. 

Prior to that Melissa was a lobbyist for a decade in science-based non-profits. She received her BA from The Pennsylvania State University, her MPS from George Washington University, and her MLIS from Clarion University of Pennsylvania.  

Liana King is the Program Manager for Around Town DC, a program of Iona Senior Services, where she coordinates free health, wellness, and educational programs for adults 60+ in her hometown of Washington, DC. She works closely with DC Public Libraries and other community partners to provide older adults with access to engaging, high-quality programs, particularly in neighborhoods without brick-and-mortar senior centers.

In her role, Liana supports a weekly schedule of more than forty classes, including fitness, arts, and lifelong learning programs, while organizing special events such as local resource presentations, writing workshops, and live music socials. She also oversees a grant-funded digital navigation initiative that helps older adults feel more confident using technology, and facilitates programs such as Aging Solo, which supports folks aging without traditional support systems. Alongside this work, Liana serves on the LGBTQ+ Advisory Committee for the DC Department of Aging and Community Living.

She holds a BA in Communication and Social Influence from Temple University and continues to learn from the older adults she has the privilege to work alongside, reinforcing her belief in the value of collaboration between community partners to create opportunities for older adults to stay connected, engaged, and supported. 

Morgan Lockard-Ellis is the Branch Manager for the Carrico/Fort Thomas branch of the Campbell County Public Library in Kentucky, where she oversees the branch's operations, serves as liaison to the Information Services department, and supervises the Systems/IT department. With nearly a decade of public library experience, Morgan has worked extensively in adult and teen services, collection development, outreach, and program planning, with a strong focus on partnership building, equitable access, digital literacy, and lifelong learning. She has led and supported a wide range of initiatives, from summer reading programs to grant-funded digital and health literacy projects.

Morgan earned a Master of Library Science from the University of Kentucky and a Bachelor of Arts in History from Eastern Kentucky University. Her professional interests include reader’s advisory, inclusive collections, digital literacy, and creating programs that foster connection, curiosity, and community engagement.  Morgan has been recognized with the Kentucky Public Library Association’s Fresh Faces Award and currently serves as Chair of the KPLA Awards Committee. She enjoys championing the role of libraries as vibrant, welcoming spaces for readers of all ages.

Breanna Williams is the Manager of Social Connection Programming at Meals on Wheels Southwest Ohio & Northern Kentucky. In her role, Breanna works alongside a dedicated team to design and implement programs that reduce social isolation and promote connection, engagement, and well-being among older adults.

Her work includes group-based social programs, creative and educational workshops, intergenerational activities, and one-on-one supports such as friendly calling and digital literacy assistance. Through these initiatives, Breanna brings a practical, community-based perspective to the project, grounded in direct service delivery and participant feedback. She is passionate about cross-sector collaboration and leveraging trusted community spaces—like libraries—to expand access, foster belonging, and support aging adults in remaining active and connected within their communities.

Rosanna McGinnis is the Director of the Opelika Public Library in Alabama, where she has served since 2016. She is passionate about developing libraries that are inclusive, future-ready spaces that foster connection, learning, and community pride. 

During her tenure, she has led the design and construction of Opelika’s new library facility, implemented RFID technology to improve access and efficiency, and brought nationally recognized exhibits such as Aim High: Soaring with the Tuskegee Airmen to the community.

McGinnis holds an MLIS from the University of Alabama and a B.A. from the University of Montevallo and is active in statewide library leadership and local initiatives focused on education and economic empowerment.

Ayanna Thomas is a results-driven social services leader with over 10 years of experience managing aging and nutrition programs that serve older adults and individuals with disabilities. In her role with the Elderly Nutrition Program and Senior Community Service Employment Program, Ayanna provides strategic oversight of program operations, compliance, and service delivery, ensuring alignment with state and federal guidelines while maintaining high standards of quality and accountability.

Ayanna is known for her ability to bridge operational leadership with compassionate, client-centered service. Her expertise includes program evaluation, data-driven decision-making, staff and partner collaboration, and community engagement. She brings a strong administrative foundation paired with a deep understanding of the social, nutritional, and supportive needs of aging populations.

She holds a Master of Social Work from Troy University and a Bachelor of Science in Psychology with a minor in Business Administration. Actively involved in community leadership and advisory roles, Ayanna is committed to strengthening systems, expanding access, and advancing services that promote dignity, wellness, and independence.

Kate DeBartolo leads The Conversation Project, the Institute for Healthcare Improvement’s (IHI) public engagement initiative that empowers people to express their wishes for care through the end of life. In addition to overseeing the team and operations, she contributes to IHI’s Age-Friendly Health Systems movement, with a focus on engaging older adults.

Since joining IHI in 2007, Ms. DeBartolo has played key roles in several large-scale initiatives, including the 5 Million Lives Campaign, Improvement Map, and Project JOINTS. Prior to IHI, she served as a grant analyst at The California Endowment.

Ms. DeBartolo is a graduate of Wellesley College and lives in Washington, D.C., with her husband and son.

Brynn Bowman is the Chief Executive Officer of the Center to Advance Palliative Care, and Assistant Professor in the Brookdale Department of Geriatrics and Palliative Medicine at the Mount Sinai medical school. She is past president of the National Coalition for Hospice and Palliative Care, a member of the National Academy of Medicine Serious Illness Roundtable, and a 2020 Health and Aging Policy Fellow where she served with the US Senate Finance Committee.  Ms. Bowman is a nationally recognized leader in scaling practice and culture change in health care delivery for people with serious illness.

Robyn Golden serves as the Associate Vice President of Social Work and Community Health and Chair of the Department of Social Work at Rush University Medical Center. She is the Co-Director of Rush’s Center for Excellence in Aging and the Center for Health and Social Care Integration. She is responsible for developing and overseeing health promotion and disease prevention, mental health, care coordination, and complex care models for many vulnerable populations such as older adults, family caregivers, people with chronic conditions, and those who are unhoused.

For over 35 years, Robyn has been actively involved in service provision, program development, interprofessional education, research and public policy aimed at developing innovative initiatives and systems integration to improve health and well-being.  Robyn serves on the RRF Foundation for Aging and the Health and Medicine Boards of Directors. She was the John Heinz Senate Fellow for Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton, and she is a Past Chair of the American Society on Aging.

Robyn has received the Knee/Wittman Outstanding Achievement Award from the National Association of Social Workers Foundation, the Gerontological Society of America's Maxwell A. Pollack Award for Productive Aging, and the American Public Health Association’s Insley-Evans Public Health Social Worker of the year award. She founded and chairs the Coalition for Social Work and Health and served as a member of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) committee studying the integration of social needs care into the delivery of health care.