Baby boomers merit attention
Home News Tribune Online 07/6/07

http://www.thnt.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2007707060392

The folks who run the Old Bridge Public Library have figured out that for their services to stay current they need to take a step backward — or, to be more specific, they must cater more aggressively to those patrons who were born between 1946 and 1964, the generation widely known as the baby boomers, who started turning 60 last year. It's a winning strategy.


Boomers number approximately 78.2 million Americans. About 7,918 of them — or 330 an hour — turn 60 every day. They are well-educated and by and large well-off. And they do one other thing that some members of younger demographic groups do not: They read — voraciously.

In Old Bridge, that will translate into a new pilot program at the library called Senior Spaces, a change in philosophy and offerings, according to library Director Allan M. Kleiman, designed to accommodate the needs, interests and concerns of this dynamic and prolific group. Smart move.

What's in the offing? To start with, cushy chairs (to ease all of those aging sacroiliacs); a "bookshop" with materials tilted toward the interests of older readers; "the front porch," with furniture and fixtures tailored to encourage sitting and conversation; a listening area featuring television, DVDs and phonograph, and a special-needs space for the visually or hearing impaired.

The New Jersey State Library is helping fund the project with a $10,000 grant, partly because Senior Spaces can serve as a model for other libraries.

No doubt it will.

"Serving the needs of older residents as the population of New Jersey ages," said State Librarian Norma E. Blake, "is one of the ways in which we can help libraries to meet the challenges of the future."

A future that is already here. Great job.

Greetings--

Our "senior spaces" project is now off and running. At our opening on June 8th, the New Jersey State Library awarded us a grant of $10,000 to continue to develop the space and move to Phase III--design and construction of our "center for creative learning."

Because we have had so many requests about the project, below you can find links to news stories and photos about "senior spaces."

If you have any additional questions, please e-mail me at: seniorspaces@oldbridgelibrary.org.

We will continue to add to the blog at: seniorspaces.blogspot.com over the summer.

Here are the links:

Library Wooing Boomers
http://www.thnt.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070702/NEWS010223/707020402/1005/NEWS01

Library Opens Cozy Section for Seniors
http://www.app.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070702/NEWS03/707020329/1007

Opening Day Photos Taken by Nancy Dowd, NJ State Library
http://www.flickr.com/photos/thewordblog/sets/72157600337533109/

Senior Spaces Designed for Older Library-Goers
http://suburban.gmnews.com/news/2007/0621/Front_Page/043.html

Senior Spaces Under Construction Photos Taken by Tim Niland
http://www.flickr.com/search/?q=senior+spaces&m=tags

OBPL's Craft Club "Adopts" Senior Spaces
http://www.flickr.com/photos/obpl/537172810/

Let us know what you think about the project. Our next phase will also include the development of programming activities in conjunction with our newly formed "Senior Spaces Advisory Board."

Chat with you soon,
Allan

"Senior Spaces" Grand Opening June 8th
Old Bridge Public Library Board of Trustees with INFOLINK, the Eastern New Jersey Regional Library Cooperative Cordially Invite You to Attend the Grand Opening of "Senior Spaces" Friday, June 8th, 2007 10:00 am - 12:00 noon (Refreshments at 9:30 am)

Old Bridge Public Library 1 Old Bridge Plaza, Municipal Center, Old Bridge, NJ 08857(732) 721-5600 ext. 5010 Directions: www.oldbridgelibrary.org/directions.htm#central

Featured Speaker: Assemblyman Samuel M. Thompson, 13th Legislative District Member, Assembly Health & Senior Services Committee

Keynote Speaker: Betty Turock, Professor Emeritus Rutgers University, School of Library & Information Services

Project Coordinator: Allan M. Kleiman, Assistant Library Director Old Bridge Public Library

RSVP by June 1st, 2007 Call INFOLINK office at 732-752-7720/866-505-5465

INFOLINK is contracting with Old Bridge Public Library for this model incubator project that focuses on a major diversity issue impacting libraries -- in this instance the target audience is older adults. The budget for the project is $20,000 – $10,000 of which is a contract from INFOLINK.

"Senior Spaces" to Open June 8th

The Old Bridge (NJ) proudly announces that the "Senior Spaces," project will officially open on Friday, June 8th.

To inaugurate the space, the Old Bridge (NJ Public Library and the NJ INFOLINK Regional Library Cooperative, will be holding a library conference on the project. The keynote speaker for the event will be none other than Dr. Betty Turock, Professor Emeritus, School of Library & Information Studies, Rutgers University. Allan M. Kleiman, Project Director and designer of 'senior spaces," will speak about the concept, design and future of the space. A formal ribbon cutting and tour of the space will take place at the end of the morning session.

For further information on the project, contact: Allan M. Kleiman, Senior Spaces Project, Old Bridge Public Library at: 732-721-5600, ext. 5042; or e-mail: seniorspaces@oldbridgelibrary.org.

Remember: Hold the Date: More Details and Registration Information to Follow

NFOLINK Incubator Project - Senior Spaces

INFOLINK announces a 2007 calendar year contract award to the Old Bridge Public Library for a model incubator project called “Senior Spaces.” This unique project focuses on a major diversity issue impacting libraries -- in this instance the target audience is older adults. The budget for the project is $20,000 – $10,000 of which is a contract from INFOLINK.

Allan M. Kleiman, Assistant Library Director of the Old Bridge PL, shares, “What is different about this project is that we will be developing programs and services for ALL three generations of older adults—the baby boomers not yet retired, older adults who have retired in the last few years, and the elderly many who can no longer get to the library. We literary are building this space and the program from the bottom-up.”

What can INFOLINK members expect from this demonstration model?
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Web based documentation of the project.
#
A workbook/manual to encourage other libraries to develop their own “Your Space,” step-by-step.
#
Collaboration by the INFOLINK administrative staff and the Diversity Committee.
#
An invitation to a phase one launch the morning of June 8, 2007 at the Old Bridge Public Library and more informally thereafter.
#
Presentations at targeted programs and conferences.
#
An outcomes-based evaluation at year’s end.

We are enthusiastic about this new project and support Old Bridge Public Library Director Margie Cyr, Project Manager Allan Kleiman and this member library’s efforts to redefine library services to older adults. Here are some background stats from Allan in the project overview. These figures impact INFOLINK libraries in varying ways.

In 2000 there were 1,443, 800 New Jerseyans aged 60 and over. By 2025, it is projected that the population will number over 2.5 million in this age group. While the national average is 13.5%, New Jersey already has over 17.2% of the population over 60.

More than half (58%) of the New Jersey population 60 years of age and older in 2003 resided in seven counties: Bergen, Ocean, Essex, Middlesex, Monmouth, Hudson and Union. Four of these counties comprise the INFOLINK Regional Library Cooperative: Essex, Hudson, Union and Middlesex.

About 60% of New Jersey’s minority population 60 years of age and older in 2003 resided in four counties: Bergen, Essex, Hudson and Union and in addition, Middlesex had the largest percentage (8.5%) of Asian and Pacific Islanders over the age of 60.

Infolink Announces Incubator Project, Senior Spaces

INFOLINK announces a 2007 calendar year contract award to the Old Bridge Public Library for a model incubator project called “Senior Spaces.” This unique project focuses on a major audience impacting libraries -- older adults. The budget for the project is $20,000 – $10,000 of which is from INFOLINK. Allan M. Kleiman , Assistant Library Director of the Old Bridge PL, shares, “What is different about this project is that we will be developing programs and services for ALL three generations of older adults—the baby boomers not yet retired, older adults who have retired in the last few years, and the elderly many who can no longer get to the library. We literary are building this space and the program from the bottom-up.” What can INFOLINK members expect from this demonstration model? · Web based documentation of the project to track its development and results. · A workbook/manual to allow other libraries to develop their own “Your Space,” step-by-step. · Collaboration with the Old Bridge staff, INFOLINK administrative staff and the Diversity Committee . · Invitation to a phase one Senior Spaces launch at the Old Bridge Library on May 31, 2007 and more informally thereafter. · Presentations at targeted programs and conferences. · An outcomes-based evaluation at year’s end. INFOLINK is enthusiastic about this new project and supports the focus to redefine library services to older adults . Some stats from Allan in his project development: · In 2000 there were 1,443, 800 New Jerseyans aged 60 and over. By 2025, it is projected that the population will number over 2.5 million in this age group. While the national average is 13.5%, New Jersey already has over 17.2% of the population over 60. More than half (58%) of the New Jersey population 60 years of age and older in 2003 resided in seven counties: Bergen , Ocean, Essex , Middlesex, Monmouth, Hudson and Union . Four of these counties comprise the INFOLINK Regional Library Cooperative: Essex , Hudson , Union and Middlesex. About 60% of New Jersey ’s minority population 60 years of age and older in 2003 resided in four counties: Bergen , Essex , Hudson and Union and in addition, Middlesex had the largest percentage (8.5%) of Asian and Pacific Islanders over the age of 60. Cheryl O'Connor Executive Director, INFOLINK Email to: coconnor@infolink.org Tel: 732-752-7720 Fax: 732-752-7785 Toll free: 866-505-LINK Fax: 800-793-8007 Web: http://www.infolink.org CD&L: #2301 Go Back | Prev | Next | Reply | Reply All | Forward | Delete | Move To Sent

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Senior Spaces Project Proposal

As requested, here is the concept paper (proposal) for the Senior Spaces Project at the Old Bridge Public Library.

Summary:
The Old Bridge Public Library has developed an exciting and innovative idea to develop into an Incubator Project for the INFOLINK Region. The idea is to take a less used and defined space in our library and develop that area specifically for baby boomers and older adults. With a working title of “Senior Spaces,” the Library plans to transform the area into “Your Space: The Creative Learning Center @ Your Library.”

Background:
The population over aged sixty years is projected to grow substantially in the near future as the baby-boom generation (those born between 1946 and 1964) ages. In 2000 there were 1, 443, 800 New Jerseyans aged 60 and over. By 2025, it is projected, that the population will number over 2.5 million in this age group. While the national average is 13.5%, New Jersey already has over 17.2% of the population over 60, and it is expected to grow to 23.6% by 2025.

More than half (58%) of the New Jersey population 60 years of age and older in 2003 resided in seven counties: Bergen, Ocean, Essex, Middlesex, Monmouth, Hudson and Union. Four of these counties comprise the INFOLINK Region.

About 60% of New Jersey’s minority population 60 years of age and older in 2003 resided in four counties: Bergen, Essex, Hudson and Union and in addition, Middlesex had the largest percentage (8.5%) of Asian and Pacific Islanders over the age of 60. Again, four of these counties comprise the INFOLINK Region. (Source: A Profile of New Jersey Older Adults Aged 60+ Years, Center for Health Statistics, NJ Department of Health & Senior Services, April 2005.)

At this time, INFOLINK public Libraries are ill equipped and experienced to deal with these changing demographics. Many libraries still view “seniors” with an ageist mindset, thinking of older adults as those folks residing in nursing homes.

The baby boomers beginning to retire are looking towards their libraries to provide recreation, lifelong learning, civic engagement, ideas for second careers, and meaningful volunteer opportunities. Very few libraries in the region have specific programs for older adults and the baby boomers.

Based on these facts there is a strong need to develop a model program that can develop innovative and creative programs and services for older adults and the baby boomers that can be replicated throughout INFOLINK. In addition, the model needs to include the Diversity that is Central New Jersey.

Libraries for the Future (LFF) has been a leading advocate for designated spaces within the library setting that can provide an anchor for a “new” type of library services to the baby boomers. But, while LFF aim their efforts only towards the “active” well-educated baby boomer ready to soon retire, INFOLINK’s demographics are quite different.

Building upon the work of LFF in Arizona and Connecticut in developing “spaces” within libraries as a focal point for boomers only, the Old Bridge Public Library has developed a new idea concept that we think is even better suited and better reflects the INFOLINK Region and New Jersey entitled, “Your Space: The Creative Learning Center @ Your Library.”

The “Your Space” Concept:
The idea of “Your Space: The Creative Learning Center @ Your Library,” was developed by the Old Bridge Public Library Board as part of the process of their Strategic Plan for 2007-2010. In it, the Library Board identified seniors and baby boomers as the “new mass audience,” and began to “think outside the box” in terms of how to differently serve this population. Part of the discussion was to find an innovative way to bring programs and services together in the Library under one “umbrella,” and look for a variety of possible models as examples.

Perhaps one of the reasons that the Old Bridge Public Library identified this as an area of concern and possibility is that Allan Kleiman, Assistant Library Director, is one of the leading proponents of “library services to older adults in the United States and beyond,” and won the 2006 Margaret Monroe Award for Library Service to Adults from the American Library Association. Looking towards the future, as part of the development of the library’s Strategic Plan, the Library has already renamed its Reference Department, the “Adult & Information Services Department,” with a focus on the adult (of all ages.) Thus making way for “Your Space” to happen!

Like the LFF models, the Old Bridge Public Library staff felt that a physical location for this project within the library was an essential component and would give “Your Space” visibility. The Library’s building design gives it a unique “edge” for this Incubator Project as well. The building is divided in seven sections or “bays,” each one with an individual theme or service component in place. They include: Children’s, Teens, Reference, A-V, Science Fiction and “Reading/Lounge areas. The proposal is to turn the Science Fiction area into “Your Space.”

The physical components of “Your Space” would take shape over the course of the first six months. This would include design of the space, purchasing books/materials, shifting library books/materials, developing a library learning center, organizing programs, signage, recruiting volunteers, making contact with community organizations to form partnerships and developing a “Your Space” Advisory Board. One of the ideas would be to house a SENIORNET Computer Learning Center within the area.

The entire staff of the Adult & Information Services Department will be involved with the growth, development and programming activities of “Your Space,” and Assistant Director Allan M. Kleiman will serve as the Project Director. A major component of “Your Space,” will be the use of baby boomer and senior volunteers ensuring right from the start community buy-in and success from the ground up.

Although physically located in Old Bridge, we also think that “Your Space” will be even more successful if we open “membership” in it to the baby boomers and seniors of INFOLINK Region.

The “Your Space” Project umbrella would certainly include some of the components already identified by Libraries for the Future and baby boomers as essential components for this type of program but also to develop components which have more of a NJ “twist.” In addition, we feel that as the project continues to develop it needs to be flexible to encompass new ideas and directions. The components of “Your Space” may include a:

· Lifelong Learning Center (in conjunction with Rutgers & Middlesex College)

· Computer Training Center (in conjunction with SENIORNET

· Volunteer Exchange Center (within the library and Community)

· Job Information Center (2^nd Career Center)

· Literacy & English-as-a-Second Language Center (in conjunction with Literacy Volunteers)

· New Immigrant Center for Learning (modeled after the Queens Borough Public Library’s New Immigrant Program

The physical space is now “claimed” by several groups that use it on a regular basis and we think would welcome “Your Space” and be potential participants in this new project. These include the Monday card players, the Tuesday knitters, the Wednesday scrapbookers and the Thursday crafters. Our most active “library club” is already the Savvy Seniors that are an independent group of active seniors that use the library as their base for programs, social activities and volunteering. In addition, in October, we are beginning “Senior Fridays,” programs for adults and older adults. These “Senior Fridays” would become a part of the programming effort of “Your Space.”

We have already begun to reach out to groups that reflect the diversity of Old Bridge and Central New Jersey. For the first time our library is celebrating “Hispanic Heritage Month” and we are planning a series of programs for the Indian (East Asian) community during November and December. The Indo-American Club composed of Indian seniors already meets in our library monthly. We would like to get them involved in “Your Space,” early in the process.

Budget:
The projected proposed budget for this project for first 18 months (January 2007-June 2008) would be $30,000. This cost includes monies for the following: space design consultant, furniture, signage, computers, programming, SENIORNET license, and publicity.

The Old Bridge Public Library will allocate $10,000 from its budget. We would therefore like to request a match of $10,000 for this Incubator Project from the INFOLINK Board. In addition, we will be requesting a similar match from the NJ State Library which has expressed an interest in the concept of the project.

The Old Bridge Public Library is committed to ensure that the project is institutionalized after June 2008 and that monies are allocated for it in its regular budget.

Evaluation:
This project lends itself to an outcome based evaluation model because we are certain of the positive impact that will happen in the community and the region. Pre and post survey questionnaires will be developed as part of the evaluation process.

We envision documenting the project’s progress on our web site as well as making presentations about it at state and national conferences and inviting library staffs from throughout INFOLINK Region and New Jersey to visit on a regular basis. In addition, a workbook/manual will be created to allow other libraries to develop their own “Your Space,” step-by-step.

Conclusion:
The Old Bridge Public Library staff and Board feel that our concept for “Your Space,” is an exciting project that is replicable within INFOLINK Region,

New Jersey, and around the country. The project brings together all the components of programs for baby boomers and older adults under one umbrella and begins with the premise that “seniors” come in every shape, size, color and age and that they never stop learning!

Allan M. Kleiman
Assistant Library Director/
Old Bridge Public Library
Executive Director/
Old Bridge Library Foundation
732-721-5600, ext. 5042
amkleiman@oldbridgelibrary.org