[Publib] older adults specialists in library

[Catherine Ahern]

Hi, I am writing from the Russell Library in Middletown, 
CT, the public library for our city.  One of our 15 hour 
positions in the library is titled Older Adults 
Specialist.  The position evolved from a two year LSTA 
grant.  We began with someone working about 12 hours per 
week, establishing small deposit collections in local 
senior faciilites, leading a couple of book groups at 
these places, and using the BiFolkal Remembering kits with 
residents a couple of times during the month.  To say that 
this service became quite popular is an understatement and 
we have been fortunate for the last couple of years to 
have added it as a permanent city position (we would love 
to add hours and get up to at least 19 but that has not 
happened as yet).

The position has evolved, we have had great people on 
staff.  We do not require an MLS although we did have one 
person with an MLS on board for a while.  We do require a 
college degree, and we have found that people who have 
worked with seniors, especially in residences are very 
valuable in making contacts, et.c. We have played down 
deposit collections in some areas where they are not used 
and emphasized more the programming aspect, which is quite 
popular. We also have an Older Adults Team (OAT) in house 
and we have added films and Lunch and Learn programs to 
try and attract more mobile older adults to the library 
during the daytime. 

After all of this intro, my question is, are there many 
public libraries out there who have such a position.  We 
are trying to get additional grants all of the time and 
think that the uniqueness of our program is a good selling 
point.  Please share with me your experiences in this 
area,would love to hear of similar positions and also if 
you have found any funding sources that have been 
fruitful.  Feel free to email me off list.

Cathy Ahern
Russell Library
123 Broad St.
Middletown, CT 06457
cahern at russell.lionic.org