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Senior Services

Libraries & Seniors

Background Demographics Issues of Providing Library Services to Older Adults Defining the Needs of Seniors Rewards & Barriers to Providing Services to Seniors Task Force Recommendation Conclusion

Serving Seniors

Task Force on Library Services for Older Adults

 

The Report and Recommendations of the Task Force on Library Services for Older Adults

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Background

The Missouri State Library, recognizing the population explosion of adults 60 and over in Missouri, and that libraries and librarians play a crucial role in serving Missouri senior citizens, convened a Task Force on Library Services for Older Adults. The charge of this task force was to:

1. identify the issues of providing library services to older adults

2. define the needs of seniors in libraries

3. identify the rewards and barriers to providing services to individuals aged 65 or over

4. promote planning in libraries and other agencies to provide and enhance senior services and cooperative projects

5. develop a plan for presentation to the Secretary's Council on Library Development

In April 1997, a survey was sent to all Missouri public libraries to determine baseline information on library service to Missourians aged 65 and over. Thirty, or 21 percent, of the libraries responded to the survey on the state of services to seniors. During the fall of 1997, Forums on Library Services for Senior Adults were held in locations around the state. These forums gave librarians an opportunity to explore how their libraries can develop or improve services to senior adults.