Savvy Senior Blog

This recommendation comes from Nancy Alcorn: http://www.savvysenior.org/index.htm

Nominations Invited for Encore Careers Opportunity Awards

The MetLife Foundation/Civic Ventures Encore Opportunity Awards recognize nonprofit and public sector organizations that are finding new ways to engage people over the age of 50 in encore careers — doing work that combines continued income with personal meaning and social impact. The awards are administered by Civic Ventures, a think tank devoted to baby boomers, work, and social purpose, and are funded by the MetLife Foundation.

Examples of encore career programs include a program that recruits people over age 50 and matches them with flexible schedule jobs in social service and government agencies; a hospital that creates patient counselor jobs and offers seasonal-work positions with full-year benefits to recruit and retain experienced nurses; a school district that pays stipends to experienced adults tutoring students in math and science; and a nonprofit that advances its mission by adding new part-time jobs that attract older adults seeking meaningful, flexible work.

The award does not apply to volunteer work done without any type of compensation. "Compensation," however, is broadly viewed and can include things such as health insurance, stipends, living allowance, or other creative benefits. Organizations that engage individuals over age 50 solely as volunteers, without any form of compensation, are not eligible for the award.

Nominations are welcome from any individual who is familiar with the work/practices of the organization, including an employee or board member. Nominations may be submitted through June 1, 2009. Letters of Intent are requested by May 1, 2009, or as soon as possible after this date.

Visit the Encore Careers campaign Web site for complete nomination guidelines and forms.

Post-Secondary Learning and Older Adults

The link to this new report from the American Council on Education comes from Diantha Schull at Libraries for the Future.

Notes from the New England Institute

Read the Libraries for the Future Lifelong Access blog for notes from early December's mini-institute at Newton, Mass.

News from Albuquerque

I received an email from Nancy, formerly of Newburyport Public Library. She has been living in Albuquerque for about three years and working there at the public library.

Nancy took part in the NMRLS Lifelong Access project and sends me information from time to time for the blog. Here's what she's sent:

"I wanted to mention a City of Albuquerque retired senior volunteer program here (RSVP) which does lots of good work throughout the community, and is part (I think) of the national Senior Corps. They have been active in the library and school systems here, using literacy and tutoring volunteers on a regular basis, for example, but also provide one-time services (e.g. creating online databases) for other non profits."

Although she'll miss the Southwest, Nancy will be leaving Albuquerque to return to Newburyport this spring.

Two Interesting Links from ALA

The impact of retired Boomers and civic engagement in rural communities

Work being done at the California State Library

Baby Boomers Find 'Encore' Careers at Nonprofits

As millions of baby boomers reach retirement age, a growing number of them are trading jobs in the corporate world for work in the nonprofit sector, the Dallas Morning News reported on August 28.

LIbraries for the Future Launches Website Showing New Views of Aging

Libraries for the Future (LFF) today announced the launch of a new website, AgeinAmerica.org, part of a project aimed at capturing and updating images of aging in the United States. The website reflects insights from museums and libraries working together in three diverse communities to spark local conversations about the meaning of age and the changing role of the older adult in the home, the workplace, and the community.