The Institute of Museum and Library Services issued a press release today concerning reshaping libraries for baby boomers. The forty-four page report, co-sponsored by the IMLS and the Americans for Libraries Council, details an extensive plan for understand and adapting to the needs of baby boomers as they retire and seek out new and creative enterprises in their lives.
Public libraries are uniquely placed to help mediate the great social transformation signaled by the growing proportion of healthy, active older Americans. Recent research documents the desire of older Americans to remain engaged in the broader world and to continue their learning opportunities. These adults are resources for our communities and our libraries – if librarians can transform their practices and their institutions to provide opportunities and connections to support lifelong learning and civic participation.
On September 26-27, 2005, Americans for Libraries Council (ALC) and the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) convened a Library Leaders Forum, Designs for Change: Libraries and Productive Aging, to examine key issues relating to the aging opportunity. The meeting was held as part of ALC’s Lifelong Access Libraries initiative, which seeks to foster fundamental changes in how librarians provide services and opportunities to active older adults.