How can Libraries help Senior Citizens?

How can libraries help Senior Citizens?

There are a large number of libraries both public as well as special in every city. Funding for running the library comes from govt or similar agencies. Thus libraries do have responsibility in addition to catering to their regular customers, to others outside their ambit, who also contribute by way of taxes. One such segment of the community that would greatly benefit is the Senior citizens, if libraries extend their co-operation to them. One might think of fulfilling some sort of corporate social responsibility of a different kind. There are lots of things that libraries or librarians can do in this regard. Some of them are listed here.

·        Libraries may lend space for conducting meetings of local Senior Citizens Associations in their premises.

·        Libraries may engage senior citizens who are knowledgeable and experienced to give lectures / talks, as a sort of extension activity.

·        Libraries may exempt senior citizens from admission and other fees charged for their services or offer discounts or concessions

·        Libraries may offer opportunities to retired persons to volunteer in library work; this segment would be available relatively cheap.

·        Libraries may offer free or low cost training courses in imparting skills in using smart phone, internet etc

·        Libraries may encourage Lifelong learning activity among the elderly. These could be done: Identifying free or affordable courses to sign up; providing terminals for online learning; to be a meeting point for co-learners;  provide class room facilities etc

·        Prolific readers, poets, writers, authors and others among the elderly may be encouraged to give book reviews, donate their books, poetry reading sessions, art and painting exhibitions, display their coin / philatelic collections etc

·        Retirees may be invited for several events conducted by the library by converting them into personal sponsors for specific activities.

·        Senior citizens may be approached to help in fund raising activities for special occasions.

·        Public libraries may even think of providing extension counters in retirement (gated) communities.

I am a retired librarian working for senior citizens’ welfare for the past twenty years and my most preferred way of giving help is to provide info / data / documents on whatever topic they want, provided it is in some way related to the 60+ age group.