Greetings--
It's kind of funny! I thought that when I completed teaching my class on library services to older adults for San Jose State University SLIS, that I would have plenty of time to write this blog.
Guess what?
It's Pre-ALA time. Our Committee has several projects that we are working on at Midwinter. Most notably in trying to complete the 1st draft of the Guidelines for Library Service to Older Adults. It is a major undertaking.
What has happened since the last revision was completed in 1998 and approved in 1999, is that a whole new generation of older adults have emerged. Ten years ago we talked quite alot about the Sandwich Generation. You hear very little of that term today. What you hear more of course, is the term Baby Boomer. The fourth revision of the Guidelines need to reflect the Baby Boomer generation.
I think that there is still quite a bit of ageism in the Library profession. The idea that seniors in their 60s and 70s are still working, having sex, and going to the Library seems to be something out of the twilight zone. But as a Boomer myself just turned 55, I can see that my aging is different from that of my parents. Firstly, I never expect to retire 100%. As long as I can work, I will. I don't want to move to a Retirement Community but rather back to New York City to be in the middle of the world with a chance to do everything. I am even thinking about going back to school.
So, how do we plan for this time of life. I don't know. There are no precise answers. Libraries will have to discover what they will do to serve the Baby Boomers over the next 20 years. And each Library's approach will be different as each Children's Department in every Library is different. One size or one approach does not fit all!
I guess that I am more excited about the Senior Spaces Project at the Old Bridge Public Library then I can really put down in paper. This is going to give me a chance to experiment. I want the room to reflect the 3 generations of older adults and I am not sure how to get that message across at the moment. I was thinking of using 3 different colors or many 3 different styles of furniture. I'm not sure yet. I'll have a better idea after ALA Midwinter. I do know that I want an opening ceremony to be something special and that the kick-off should be in May 2007--Older Americans Month.
To find our more about the Senior Spaces Project, look at the BLOG at:
www.seniorspaces.blogspot.com. for more details.
Well, it's time to get off the computer and relax. Look through some catalogs and then to
bed.
Chat with you soon,
Allan
Sunday, January 14, 2007
Sunday, December 31, 2006
Happy New Year
Greetings--
Happy New Year to all of you. This past year 2006 has been a good year for me in the promotion of library service to older adults.
I completed the last of 11 workshops on library service to older adults for the Texas State Library and Archives, presented programs on GLBT Elderly at the New Jersey and New England Library Associations, Chaired a Pre-Conference on Libraries and Older Adults at ALA Annual, and just recently taught a class in library services to older adults for San Jose State University SLIS.
I think that 2007 will be even better!
Already on the schedule is a Pre-conference set for ALA Washington, DC on "libraries, older adults and technology."
At the Old Bridge Public Library we are in the middle of developing our strategic plan which has an emphasis on outreach, diversity and service to older adults. We are working on a "new" idea that you will hear about soon that is a step "backward" and a step "forward" in how libraries will provide services to older adults. We are very excited to be on the cutting edge.
I've had a chance this year to meet dozens of library professionals that understand the growing need to advance the idea of service to older adults. I feel optomistic--more optomistic than I have in a long time.
Come and join us in this movement! Chat with you in 2007!
Allan
Happy New Year to all of you. This past year 2006 has been a good year for me in the promotion of library service to older adults.
I completed the last of 11 workshops on library service to older adults for the Texas State Library and Archives, presented programs on GLBT Elderly at the New Jersey and New England Library Associations, Chaired a Pre-Conference on Libraries and Older Adults at ALA Annual, and just recently taught a class in library services to older adults for San Jose State University SLIS.
I think that 2007 will be even better!
Already on the schedule is a Pre-conference set for ALA Washington, DC on "libraries, older adults and technology."
At the Old Bridge Public Library we are in the middle of developing our strategic plan which has an emphasis on outreach, diversity and service to older adults. We are working on a "new" idea that you will hear about soon that is a step "backward" and a step "forward" in how libraries will provide services to older adults. We are very excited to be on the cutting edge.
I've had a chance this year to meet dozens of library professionals that understand the growing need to advance the idea of service to older adults. I feel optomistic--more optomistic than I have in a long time.
Come and join us in this movement! Chat with you in 2007!
Allan
Sunday, September 03, 2006
School Days! School Days!
Happy Labor Day Greetings--
No sooner than I finished the last three of eleven workshops on library services to older adults for the Texas State Library and Archives then school began! Oh, I'm not going back to school! I am teaching a class on "library services to older adults" online for San Jose State University, School of Library and Information Science.
Many of the students have already done work on the subject in other classes and seem excited to particpate in this one. I have 24 students which I am working with using e-mail and the Blackboard Learning System. We meet one hour each week online as well as post on a discussion board that others in the class can all particpate in. So far--so good!
One of the exercises that I am doing this week at home is to do some dining room and front hall cleaning. You can't imagine the archives that I am finding. Things that I have not seen in years!
Of course, many of you would just toss them away. I am finding so many unique items that relate to the course that I am teaching--I just can't believe it. Having been around for over 25 years in this field gives one a lot of time for gathering.
I spent some time writing my two cents this week on the possible merger of US National Commission on Libraries and Information Science (NCLIS) and the Institute of Museums and Library Services (IMLS). Information about the merger plan can be found at either: www.nclis.gov or at: www.imls.gov. My wish is that if the two are to merge that one member either of the "new" IMLS staff or advisory board be knowledgeable in the area of "library services to the elderly," as mandated in the NCLIS Charter. Part of getting involved in this area of library services to older adults is that you become a stakeholder on what happens, especially in Washington, DC! Both NCLIS and IMLS have been "friends" to service to older adults!
Well, that's it for now. If you want to look at the course information at San Jose, you can do that at:
http://slisweb.sjsu.edu/courses/220.kleiman/220fall06info.htm.
Chat with you soon,
Allan
No sooner than I finished the last three of eleven workshops on library services to older adults for the Texas State Library and Archives then school began! Oh, I'm not going back to school! I am teaching a class on "library services to older adults" online for San Jose State University, School of Library and Information Science.
Many of the students have already done work on the subject in other classes and seem excited to particpate in this one. I have 24 students which I am working with using e-mail and the Blackboard Learning System. We meet one hour each week online as well as post on a discussion board that others in the class can all particpate in. So far--so good!
One of the exercises that I am doing this week at home is to do some dining room and front hall cleaning. You can't imagine the archives that I am finding. Things that I have not seen in years!
Of course, many of you would just toss them away. I am finding so many unique items that relate to the course that I am teaching--I just can't believe it. Having been around for over 25 years in this field gives one a lot of time for gathering.
I spent some time writing my two cents this week on the possible merger of US National Commission on Libraries and Information Science (NCLIS) and the Institute of Museums and Library Services (IMLS). Information about the merger plan can be found at either: www.nclis.gov or at: www.imls.gov. My wish is that if the two are to merge that one member either of the "new" IMLS staff or advisory board be knowledgeable in the area of "library services to the elderly," as mandated in the NCLIS Charter. Part of getting involved in this area of library services to older adults is that you become a stakeholder on what happens, especially in Washington, DC! Both NCLIS and IMLS have been "friends" to service to older adults!
Well, that's it for now. If you want to look at the course information at San Jose, you can do that at:
http://slisweb.sjsu.edu/courses/220.kleiman/220fall06info.htm.
Chat with you soon,
Allan
Sunday, August 27, 2006
Back Home Again!
Greetings--
Well it has been an exciting and frustrating week. The last three workshops in Texas went very well despite two days of a-v problems, a fight over an untagged bag, and being bumped from the hotel despite a confirmed reservation.
This series of workshops that I designed for the Texas State Library and Archives were developed for those in the field who were already doing "something" for older adults as well as for those who were new to this area of library services. Each session ran from 9am to 4:30pm with a lunch and two breaks worked in. I can't recall, except one group that we did in Lubbock, that I was able to get through all the material that I had planned. The only other time I have ever felt "complete" in doing this was last winter when I presented a 4-day workshop for the Missouri State Library. There is always more that you want to share. It seems every day as I pick-up a newspaper or magazine there is another interesting article either on older adults or on the bany boomers.
The Texas sessions presentation was broken down into:
Introductions/Welcome
Census Figures
Aging is Hot! Hot! Hot!
ALA Guidelines for Library Service to Older Adults
Inventory of Services Checklist (Exercise)
Library Buildings/Design
Library Policies
Collections
In-Library Programming
Technology & Older Adults
Seniors with Special Needs
Outreach Programming
Book Delivery Options
Utilizing Seniors as a Resource
Publicity/Marketing
Action Plan (Exercise)
Conclusion
Of course each of the 11 times the program was presented, it was a bit different. It really depended on the needs of the group. In one group where most of the participants had not done any computer training at all with seniors, I spend more time that I usually did with that. In other groups where we had a Bi-Folkal kit to use, I demonstrated it. The workshop was not just talk. I used my collection of video, audio and dvd materials to supplement the presentation.
Would I do it again! Absolutely. We spent a great deal of time on the "traditional" senior and I would like to go back and do the entire series over with more emphasis on the baby boomers.
Who knows! That might be a project for 2007!
These nine months working in Texas have been some of the most gratifying training experiences that I have ever had. My hope is that each and every participant was inspired by the excitement that I shared with them about serving older adults and the baby boomers. And that each one of them will go back to their library and improve services for this age group.
That's all for me for now!
Chat with you soon,
Allan
(kleiman@aol.com)
Well it has been an exciting and frustrating week. The last three workshops in Texas went very well despite two days of a-v problems, a fight over an untagged bag, and being bumped from the hotel despite a confirmed reservation.
This series of workshops that I designed for the Texas State Library and Archives were developed for those in the field who were already doing "something" for older adults as well as for those who were new to this area of library services. Each session ran from 9am to 4:30pm with a lunch and two breaks worked in. I can't recall, except one group that we did in Lubbock, that I was able to get through all the material that I had planned. The only other time I have ever felt "complete" in doing this was last winter when I presented a 4-day workshop for the Missouri State Library. There is always more that you want to share. It seems every day as I pick-up a newspaper or magazine there is another interesting article either on older adults or on the bany boomers.
The Texas sessions presentation was broken down into:
Introductions/Welcome
Census Figures
Aging is Hot! Hot! Hot!
ALA Guidelines for Library Service to Older Adults
Inventory of Services Checklist (Exercise)
Library Buildings/Design
Library Policies
Collections
In-Library Programming
Technology & Older Adults
Seniors with Special Needs
Outreach Programming
Book Delivery Options
Utilizing Seniors as a Resource
Publicity/Marketing
Action Plan (Exercise)
Conclusion
Of course each of the 11 times the program was presented, it was a bit different. It really depended on the needs of the group. In one group where most of the participants had not done any computer training at all with seniors, I spend more time that I usually did with that. In other groups where we had a Bi-Folkal kit to use, I demonstrated it. The workshop was not just talk. I used my collection of video, audio and dvd materials to supplement the presentation.
Would I do it again! Absolutely. We spent a great deal of time on the "traditional" senior and I would like to go back and do the entire series over with more emphasis on the baby boomers.
Who knows! That might be a project for 2007!
These nine months working in Texas have been some of the most gratifying training experiences that I have ever had. My hope is that each and every participant was inspired by the excitement that I shared with them about serving older adults and the baby boomers. And that each one of them will go back to their library and improve services for this age group.
That's all for me for now!
Chat with you soon,
Allan
(kleiman@aol.com)
Sunday, August 20, 2006
Off to Texas!
Sunday Greetings--
I am off tomorrow (Monday) for the final leg of my trips around Texas, for the "Texas Is Aging! Is Your Library Ready?" project. The workshops have been sponsored by the Texas State Library and Archives.
These nine months of traveling have given me an idea that most public libraries are facing the same issues: finance, buildings, staffing, training and new technology. Big or small--we're all the same.
The registration for the Houston area workshop was so large that it had to be split into two sessions--one one Tuesday and one on Wednesday. Then Myra and I are off to McAllen for Thursday. Home on Friday evening.
It is interesting that the basic outline that I keep using changes from each set of workshops. I am always finding new sources, but it is impossible to "cram" a century of service into 6 hours. I try and leave the attendees motivated and chock full of ideas. Isn't that what it's all about?
I hope to post from the road.....but forgive me if I don't. The laptop is getting a bit old, I know it's time to get a new one--but it works.
Have a great week,
Allan
I am off tomorrow (Monday) for the final leg of my trips around Texas, for the "Texas Is Aging! Is Your Library Ready?" project. The workshops have been sponsored by the Texas State Library and Archives.
These nine months of traveling have given me an idea that most public libraries are facing the same issues: finance, buildings, staffing, training and new technology. Big or small--we're all the same.
The registration for the Houston area workshop was so large that it had to be split into two sessions--one one Tuesday and one on Wednesday. Then Myra and I are off to McAllen for Thursday. Home on Friday evening.
It is interesting that the basic outline that I keep using changes from each set of workshops. I am always finding new sources, but it is impossible to "cram" a century of service into 6 hours. I try and leave the attendees motivated and chock full of ideas. Isn't that what it's all about?
I hope to post from the road.....but forgive me if I don't. The laptop is getting a bit old, I know it's time to get a new one--but it works.
Have a great week,
Allan
Sunday, August 13, 2006
Guess What?
Greetings--
Well, I have spent a frustrating week trying to log-in to the blog. Have you ever lost your username and password? I was about to abandon this blog and set-it-up elsewhere when I tried once last time--guess what? I was using the wrong password!
Now, I have a chance to communicate with you!
Blog with you soon,
Allan
Well, I have spent a frustrating week trying to log-in to the blog. Have you ever lost your username and password? I was about to abandon this blog and set-it-up elsewhere when I tried once last time--guess what? I was using the wrong password!
Now, I have a chance to communicate with you!
Blog with you soon,
Allan
Saturday, August 05, 2006
Greetings--
Welcome to the new blog on library services to the baby Boomers and Older Adults. I hope that
you will continue to read this and add to it on a regular basis.
Need to e-mail me: kleiman@aol.com
Blog with you soon,
Allan
Allan M. Kleiman
Welcome to the new blog on library services to the baby Boomers and Older Adults. I hope that
you will continue to read this and add to it on a regular basis.
Need to e-mail me: kleiman@aol.com
Blog with you soon,
Allan
Allan M. Kleiman
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