Online Institute for Programming Ideas - August 9

You may be interested in this SirsiDynix Institute, "Beyond Bingo for the Boomers: Public Libraries to Fill a Void," on August 9 at 11:00 AM EDT. You can register at the top of the page.

Boomer Required Readings

Here's a webliography that Chelmsford compiled for its "Becoming the Butterfly" series.

BoomerCafe, an online newletter for Boomers. Remember Ellen Freudenheim from our NMRLS September 2005 Lifelong Access Institute workshop? See her article on exercise as your smartest investment.

NRTA-AARP publication, Staying Sharp: Learning Throughout Life.

Lifelong Access Libraries Leadership Institute (TM) Begins July 31

In recognition of the public library’s unique position to act as a springboard for the millions of baby boomers currently reaching retirement age, Americans for Libraries Council (ALC) is convening an elite group of librarians in North Carolina at the end of this month to participate in the nation’s first Lifelong Access Libraries Leadership InstituteTM. The Institute will train these Lifelong Fellows to lead the nation’s libraries in enhancing services for older adults with opportunities for active learning, creative exploration, and meaningful civic engagement.

The Institute will run from July 31 - August 4, 2006, at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. It is one component of a multi-year Lifelong Access Libraries initiative funded by The Atlantic Philanthropies, which is described in more detail on the Lifelong Access Libraries website www.lifelonglibraries.org. The Institute is being co-hosted by two entities at the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill: The School of Information and Library Science, and the Institute on Aging.

More: http://www.lff.org/lifelong/documents/LifelongInstituteprFINAL71706.pdf

In Tempe (AZ), New Café in Public Library Serves as One-Stop Resource for Boomers Planning Next Chapters

As baby boomers redefine the traditional retirement years, experts predict they'll challenge the institutions set up to serve them to change too. The traditional "senior center" is one such institution that's likely to undergo big changes in approach, marketing, and services. After all, boomers may not flock to something called a "senior center," but they will still need a place to go to get the information, services, and networking opportunities they're looking for as they plan the next chapters of their lives.

In Arizona, a coalition known as Tempe Connections is breaking new ground – in more ways than one. This month, it's celebrating the grand opening of the Connections Café, a one-stop resource for boomers, built on the first floor of the Tempe public library. Those who visit can sip a latte while searching for paid or volunteer jobs that provide service to the community, visiting with a career coach, attending life planning workshops, finding out more about caring for aging parents, exploring adventure travel opportunities, signing up for classes, attending cultural events, and comparing notes with other boomers entering the same stage of life.

Read more: http://www.civicventures.org/nextchapter/stories_tempe_1.cfm

Baby Boomer Women: Secure Futures or Not?

Baby boomer women are in trouble. Unlike any other time in our nation’s history, unless there are dramatic policy shifts, in terms of absolute numbers, baby boomer women, most particularly minority women, will find their elder years to be a "never ending" struggle. After selflessly caring for their children and aging parents, a significant number of our country’s 40 million plus boomer women will not be able to afford to retire, will fall below the poverty line and experience financial insecurity and poorer health in their later years with limited aid from traditional safety nets.

See this Harvard Generations Policy Program and the Global Generations Policy Institute study.

What Will Your Library Have for This Patron?

Will you direct him to the Large Print books?