serving our seniors stephanie stowe & melanie taylor-ridgway town of pelham public library
TRANSCRIPT
Serving Our Seniors
Stephanie Stowe & Melanie Taylor-Ridgway
Town of Pelham Public Library
General Trends
Aging population Baby Boomers reaching
retirement Many over age 55
relocating geographically Increased public service
demands from 55 & Better population
How Pelham Got Started
2006 survey conducted Communicated clearly that we had to increase
our focus on seniors and their needs Demographics revealed a community weighted
heavily in population over 50 Our municipality does not have a recreation
centre or run programs for seniors
A nearby city had a very high quality Senior Centre heavily attended by our seniors
Applied for Ontario Trillium Foundation grant for senior services/ volunteer coordinator full time for 1 year
Hired a Seniors Services Coordinator
Named Program “55 & Better”
Senior Services Coordinator’s Role at the Library
Develop & implement sustainable programs for seniors
Develop and expand existing volunteer activities (Volunteer Handbook created)
Strengthen partnerships within our community and the Niagara Region (Talk given at Rotary Club)
Investigate need for Home Visiting Library Service/Books on Wheels (Survey conducted)
Pelham Public Library
SurveyPurpose: To conduct a survey with individuals aged 55+ to assess the needs of retirees and seniors in the community with regards to library services and programming.
1. What age group are you in?55-64_____ 65-74_____ 75-84_____ 85 and over_____
2. a) Have you moved to the area in the last 5 years?Yes_____ No_____b) Do you live? In your own home_____ Apartment_____Seniors housing _____
3. Do you currently use the Fonthill Branch or the Maple AcreBranch of the Town of Pelham Public Library?Yes_____ No_____If Yes, a) what type of materials do you borrow? ____________________________________________________________
b) what kind of programs do you attend now? ______________________________________________________
4. What types of programs/events would you like to see offered?_______________________________________________________
5. What time of day do you prefer to attend these programs?Mornings___ Afternoons___ Evenings___ Weekends___
6. Would you use a home delivery service if the library offered it?Yes_____ No_____If Yes, why? Homebound_____ Disabled_____ Other?
________________________________________________
*Surveys distributed in-library, to seniors apartments, retirement homes, and pharmacies. Surveys placed as ad in local newspapers.
Survey Results
198 surveys returned 34% between age 55-64 31% between age 65-74 70% had not moved to
the area in the last five years
27% that had moved here recently were between age 55-64
72% still lived in their own houses
Most borrowed books and DVD’s
35 requested the Visiting Library Service
Requested library programs were guest speakers, computer & fitness classes, movies, travelogues and book clubs
Programs We Started With:
Open House Seniors Information Fair
55 & Better Book Club
Fashion Show Afternoon Movie Seniors’ Social
Where We are Now 55 & Better Programs
offered monthly Developed volunteer job
descriptions & handbook Developed a Seniors’
Information Centre with brochures, etc.
Developed Seniors’ Newsletter with events & programs
55 & Better Book Club Offering sessions on topics
such as: health & wellness, finance and nutrition
Introduced recreation & fitness programs: Yoga, Tai Chi, Zumba, Bridge, Latin Dance, etc.
Monthly Foot Care Clinic
Results
Volunteer Management/Senior Services Coordinator is now a Community Services Coordinator Part-time position
3 ½ years of seniors’ programming Library considered source for seniors’
information and services Library delivers over 189 programs yearly
with over 2211 participants
Assessing Your Seniors Needs
Demographic Reports-2006 Census, Municipal/Regional Demographics
Check Municipal/Regional reports on ageing FP Markets 2011-Provides estimates for a wide
variety of factors Do your community demographics
and profile reflect the need for more
and/or new Seniors’ programs?
Yes, There’s a Need. Now What? Talk to patrons age 55+. Conduct
patron surveys Review community programs for
seniors in local senior centres, residences and municipal departments
Consider your physical spaces, staffing, volunteers/board, costs
Determine funding sources (Ontario Trillium Foundation & New Horizons for Seniors Program)
Planning Your Programs
Consider the 3 different age generations within the senior population when planning programs
Investigate what community partners are available
How will you promote new seniors programs Think. What is it that your library can do
uniquely that no one else can?
Finding Resources for Programs
Check out what other libraries are offering for their seniors
Try Local 211 website for non-profit organizations that can provide you with speakers on topics of local interest
Speak to local businesses and self-employed service providers (eg. fitness, art, crafts, chefs)
Local adult education, retired specialists and educators
Connect with friends and family, previous employers, staff, and patrons for inspiration
Note: If running health seminars or fitness classes, ensure your presenters have the proper certification!
Outreach in Senior Residences with volunteers
Books on Wheels/Visiting Library Service Launched
Large Print Book Club Collection for Loan to other libraries and Seniors Residences
Special Initiatives
Large Print Book Club Collection Difficulty obtaining multiple
copies of Large Print books & audio through Inter- Library Loan
We applied for and received a Niagara Community Foundation grant
Intent was to purchase sets of large-print books & audio for our 55 & Better Book Club
The grant allowed us to make these collections available for loan to public libraries, seniors’ institutions & residences and to book clubs
To access the information on borrowing sets go to www.pelhamlibrary.on.ca and click on Book Club Sets
Issues That May Arise Presenters cancel or no
show Risk management/ Liability
issues Equipment that fails Dietary considerations Working in partnership
with other institutions e.g., transport of seniors to library programs
Volunteer issues
Funding Programs
We charge for most programs whether they are for children or adults
For some presenters, we offer a 50/50 split of revenue
Pre-set fees eg. Non-resident speaker
Pelham charges a nominal fee for some seniors’ programs
Sessions about health and other crucial information are free from non-profit groups
Drop-in classes such as bridge etc., by donation
Partner with community groups/service clubs for cost effectiveness
In Conclusion Start slowly Offer programs unique to your library and
community Advertise in all ways possible Any effort to meet Seniors’ needs will be
greatly appreciated
Resources To Help You Further
Ontario Seniors Secretariat http://www.culture.gov.on.ca/seniors/english/index.shtml
Pelham Public Library http://www.pelhamlibrary.on.ca/ Southern Ontario Library Service http://www.sols.org/ Your local 211 or information centre HRDC New Horizons for Seniors
http://www.hrsdc.gc.ca/eng/community_partnerships/seniors/index.shtml
