Reading Public Library Center of Excellence Report

From Nancy Aberman at Reading Public Library

The Reading Public Library received funding from NMRLS of $2,500 in April 2009 to expand and continue its series, LiveWires: Lifelong Learning in the Library. The funds were budgeted as follows: $2000 for speakers; $250 for supplies; and $250 for program refreshments. The general topics for the programs were suggested primarily by LiveWires participants.

LiveWires continues to be the centerpiece program for older adults in our Library. We are grateful to NMRLS for allowing us to be a recipient of the Center for Excellence funding in order to continue, and expand upon, this program. Because of the funding, we have been able to offer several workshops, specifically geared to the topic of aging. The first, Living on Purpose in the Second Half of Live was a three-hour workshop led by Roberta Taylor, a psychotherapist and certified life coach specializing in older adults. This workshop used self-discovery exercises, present goal-setting tools and practical resources to help participants focus on what is important in their lives. Because of the positive response to this workshop, and because of a request of several of the participants, we asked Roberta Taylor to design another workshop on the topic of legacy. This second, two and one half hour experiential workshop was Living Your Legacy which looked at some of the ways people might share stories and enliven their lives by creating today what they want to be remembered for tomorrow.

Having been able to offer these two workshops, in addition to our other programming, allowed the Reading Public Library to demonstrate to our constituents the commitment we have to continuing and expanding upon our services to active older adults.

The LiveWires program will continue for another year due to the generosity of the Friends of the Reading Public Library. In addition, I have applied to the Reading Lions Club for funding for the LiveWires program.

Hamilton-Wenham Center of Excellence Report

From Jan Dempsey at Hamilton-Wenham

The Hamilton-Wenham Public Library received monies from the Center of Excellence to continue programs for baby boomers and to purchase materials that are of interest to this age group. In July of 2009, Greg Maichack, a well-known artist from Western Massachusetts came to the library to provide a pastels art program called “Starry Sky”. Twenty-five participants both young adults and adults attended this popular program.

Also in July, Hope Luder, a docent and teacher at the Orchard House in Concord, MA, came to the library to speak to a group of 14 adults about Louisa May Alcott and her writings. This program followed a field trip that 25 adults made to the Orchard House for a tour. In addition, the Friends of the Library purchased a pass to the Orchard House so that patrons could visit this historic site.

In September, we put together a Self-Published Authors Fair and invited authors from all over Massachusetts. We had 25 authors attend with 80-100 patrons coming by to meet the authors, buy books and have them signed. In the evening, we invited Rita Schiano, as our keynote speaker. She wrote Painting the Invisible Man and Sweet Bitter Love. She is a self-published author, industry published author and has run a publishing company. She gave the group tips on how to get their books marketed. This event was very popular and we’ve been asked to do it again.

When we began doing programs for the boomer population, we did a survey. This survey indicated that travel, local history and current events were of great interest to our patrons. Therefore, we wanted to do a current events series. We called it Keeping Current with the World Around Us. The Center of Excellence grant and the Friends of the Hamilton-Wenham Library made five November and December programs possible. In addition, we used the Center for Excellence funds to purchase items for our collection that matched the needs and interests of our patrons.

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.