ASRT Topic: Senior Resources, Tools and Services
November 16, 2023

Attendees:
Shannon, Hoover
Lynn, West End
Bridget, Homewood
Liz, Five Pts West
Leslie, Avondale
Samm, Hoover
Caroline, Gardendale
Deidre, Bessemer
Holley, O'Neal
Gelenda, Southside
Ellen, Avondale
Lora, Vestavia Hills
Nicole, Tarrant
Fontaine, Books by Mail
Laura,
TWest

This topic is near and dear to our hearts as seniors comprise a bulk of our recurring patrons. What materials we provide, services we offer, programs we plan and outreach we do, all have a huge impact. 

Dee from Bessemer started us off by describing her Health Fair at Bessemer Library. From the sounds of it, this needs to be a regular part of every library's plans. With Medicare and insurance open enrollment, there is a lot of confusion about available governmental services. There is also Social Security to consider.  By having representatives of these agencies, a health fair can aid seniors. Someone will also be there to help with wills, advanced directives and the like. There is also a JeffCo Agency on Aging and reps from Arthritis, Alzheimers and Dementia associations. The fair is to be held on 12/7 - we know it will be a huge success! 

Fontaine Alison, from BPL's Book By Mail program told us more about the services they provide, sending both large print and audiobooks to those that qualify for the service. By the way, librarians are qualified to deem a patron eligible for books by mail services, unlike the state service for the blind and disabled which requires a medical professional (which in and of itself is not a hard thing to obtain.) Patrons often ask for Playaways as they are easy to use but as we know, they are not reliable or durable or inexpensive. Technology makes it possible for a large number of disabled patrons to use electronic devices but this poses a problem for blind patrons. Devices from the state allow for the easy loading of about 8 books but do not save your place (!) Patrons are asking more for devices to play CDs. Which also poses a problem as books on CD decline in availability, rise in costs, and their circulation declines. We engaged in a conversation on libraries predicament with books on CD.

Fontaine would be glad to make herself available to any library or senior group that is interested in this service. You can reach her at Fontaine.Alison@cobpl.com. Thanks for all you do, Fontaine!!

For more information about services provided by the state agency, APLS, check out this website https://aplsws2.apls.state.al.us/library-for-the-blind/ They are a very helpful bunch and can open up the world for those in need.

Leslie from Avondale was talking about something she heard about called "Memory Cafe" where there are cognitive activities for seniors - according the internet "Memory Cafés are a comfortable, social gathering that allow people experiencing memory loss and a loved one to connect, socialize, and build new support networks. Cafés are free to attend and welcome to all." This sounds like an intriguing concept! Some libraries circulate cognitive care kits that could include puzzles, crosswords, word searches and the like to keep a mind active. I've also heard of kits that are topic-based and are meant to recreate memories, like old ads and old newspapers from a certain time to trigger memories that might have faded. (I wish JCLC could come up with a list of libraries with these types of resources, or are they searchable in the catalog?)

One great annual service libraries provide, if they can, is the AARP Tax Service. At Hoover, those services have been expanded by adding days they are available. One thing that is requested over and over again is help in filling out forms online. Because EVERYTHING is now online, seniors require help when usually they would make a phone call. We even heard from Liz that Vets are required by places like Home Depot to go online and essentially prove they are vets and require uploading of IDs to get a 10% discount rather than just showing their IDs at the door!! If things progress like this, there will be no end to what patrons will need to do online: jobs, unemployment, SSI, school enrollment, etc. We must employ patience and provide help where we can. Other solutions might be scheduling times for seniors to be helped out on an individual basis. Ellen from Avondale mentioned a Teen Tech program that pairs seniors with teens to help them with things like iPhones, etc. Perhaps that could be adapted to this purpose?

Deidre brought up a good resource that we probably overlook: the "Dummie" books are helpful in that they provide step-by-step instructions on almost everything. These might be helpful in instruction for seniors as a way to give them some tangible help.

Several libraries have onsite blood pressure devices and some have them to circulate. There might be other medical devices that could be helpful in addition. Any ideas?

A lot of libraries already provide passive programs that can be offered with seniors. Arts & crafts, puzzles, large coloring sheets, take and makes for adults, again -- anything to occupy the mind and body. Chair yoga is also a great suggestion (Frannie James does chair yoga in Birmingham.) Other senior focused programming includes genealogy (call BPL experts downtown), Samford String Orchestra, Seasoned Performers, Niki Sepsis - local historian, September Reed - crafts, "Historic Hometown Theatre", Swedish death cleaning, the list goes on. There are so many programming options that could be done in library or at senior facilities.

Tamara at Irondale wasn't able to attend but added what she is doing:

"The director of our senior center asked me to offer a class there about smart phones. I suggested doing two classes (one for iPhones, one for Android). I guess the seniors must have liked the programs at least somewhat, because some came to both classes, but I'll do it differently next time. The plan was to gather questions or topics of interest from the seniors in advance, but I didn't receive any in advance. I prepared for topics that I thought might interest them, but most of the questions ended up being very specific (how to start a new email in Gmail, how to use an app their self-defense instructor mentioned, etc.). In the future, I plan to do a narrower focus with the classes. I plan to do one on Gmail, one on Libby and hoopla, etc. I also went to the senior center recently as a guest speaker to kick off their new book club. I won't regularly be a part of the club, which is a shame because it sounds like it will be a blast!

A senior living facility near us recently requested outreach programs. Since most of their residents aren't able to visit the library or senior center in person, this is a great opportunity to recycle programs I'm already doing. This month, we'll be doing an envelope craft that was previously a library program. After the holidays, they would like me to do the same smartphone topics I'll be doing at the senior center. I'm excited about this partnership as an opportunity to reach a new audience with programs I'm already doing." 

If you have more ideas, please share them on the blog site or on the ASRT Facebook group.

Our next meeting will be Thursday, January 18, 2023 at 10 am via Zoom. Our focus will be on JustServe (connecting nonprofits with volunteers) and how they can be of use to libraries and their patrons. Also, we will try to have a representative from the Alabama Historical Society's Speakers Bureau.

Thursday, September 21st
Topic: Adult Program Swap

Attendees:
Terri, Vestavia Hills
Bridget, Homewood
Brooke, Springville Road
Tamara, Irondale
Allison, Pinson
Noelle, Titusville
Julie, BPL
Lora, Vestavia Hills
Tywanna, FPW
Pam, Southside
Romellia, Titusville
Alisha, BPL
Olivia, North Avondale
Gelenda, Southside
Erika, Powderly
Madison, FPW
Fontaine, BPL Books by Mail
Tamiko, BPL
George, BPL
Nicole, Tarrant 

View recording of meeting: https://us06web.zoom.us/rec/share/hPixoyPLxMvxn6aM72N7pENwcDBdIanCJtHkavXyUvPVcZLe74B9myNSDKu_SsU.K-VCtMAJeyvXrp6V

First of all, forgive me for joining the zoom room late. I was in another zoom room all alone! Evidently tech wants to humiliate me! For those of you that joined and couldn't stay, I apologize. We did end up having a decent discussion!

 

Homewood had a successful night bringing Tayari Jones, author of American Marriage, to their library. They did charge and it was an expensive program to do but it was a huge success! Homewood also had a lot of participation with September Reed's Fairy Gardens program. And who wouldn't want to go to Nic Cage Trivia Night?

 

Shout out to Fontaine for bringing Book by Mail to our attention. This is something we could do yearly and it would be free. Just email Fontaine and see how she can help your patrons get hooked on books by mail!

 

Hoover had a very successful art/craft supply swap over the course of three hours! We had the whole gamut of interested people from professional artists to crafters and teachers. It was labor intensive and a bit time consuming but well worth it. It's been requested to do another one really soon. Other libraries have housewares swap planned - I look forward to hearing how that goes. We will discuss "swaps" at the September 2024 meeting. I also had a fun time painting rocks with an inter-generational crowd off site at East 59 Cafe at Lee Branch.

In response to our talk of swaps, Rebecca talked about her Craftapalooza event - there were so much odds and ends left over from past craft events that she opened it up to everyone to create their own craft pieces using all the stuff. It's a great way to engage people and to clear out your storage area! Towards that end, here at Hoover, we ended up with tons of left over book ends so I've got a "design your own bookend" craft program coming up in January!!

Allison at Pinson was praising James Lowery as a low-cost speaker and I can concur. He is very knowledgeable on Birmingham railroad history and the Wetumpka impact crater - virtually anything you ask of him, he will be super prepared and interesting. His email is jlowery2@gmail.com. Allison also mentioned they the library is partnering with the local historical society so that meetings are held at the library, along with other possible events in the future. Last but not least, she shared that her 18+ yr old Anime club has been a huge success - they discuss and watch anime and the library has a Crunchy Role subscription that allows them to stream anime.

Along those same lines, Hoover has got a new "board game test group" that is open to developers and players interested in gaming. All ages come and get to play games that are being developed. So far, one meeting and more to come.

Tamara at Irondale is looking to do a DND program for base beginners. I wish her luck! I know it will be fun! They also plan to have Patti Callahan Henry come to the library which should be an excellent way to spend an evening.

Bridget mentioned that Homewood will be hosting another Mystery theater dinner on October 28th. That sounds amazing!

From Deidre Sims at Bessemer:

• Ivy Brook Apiary - will bring bees and honey / contact: ivybrookaplary@outlook.com also on Facebook @ www.facebook.com/ivybrrokaplary. Looking to book them in Spring/Summer 2024.

• Marcus Washington @ aidb.org - Deaf and Blind program for adults - I am also considering a Movie Night - closed captioned with popcorn and soda for the Deaf and Blind patrons

• September Reed who has held numerous programs @ Homewood Public will being doing a Spa Day Craft @ Bessemer Public Library on Tuesday, September 26th (already full). Hope to have another one of the other programs for younger adults in Spring 2024.

• Dee also partnered with Live Well Alabama, Mr. Jim Phillips, and The Gatherings (mentoring, networking, outreach group).

From Cara Wilhelm from Center Point:

• We had Operation Hope for a series of financial workshops and the patrons who attended loved it. We will be having more. Free!

• Also, the Career Center at Jeff State does presentations on job hunting resumes, cover letters, etc. Free!

From Maura Davies, formerly of Trussville:

• Joe Hobby - comedy writing (teen and adult); contact: 205-568-2559; jhobby2000@aol.com, blog: https://mylifeasahobby.blogspot.com/ Small fee.

• Jessica Watts/Houseplant Collective - houseplant care; contact: 256-283-5157; jessica@houseplantcollective.com; website: https://houseplantcollective.com/ Small fee.

• Dr. Andy Coleman/Urban Turtle Project - native turtles (great for all ages); contact: atcoleman80@gmail.com, website: https://www.urbanturtleproject.org/ Free!

• Mandy Trott - Astrology; contact: ecstaticastrology@gmail.com, website: https://www.ecstaticastrology.com/ Small fee.

• Nancy Barbara - Sign Language (also teaches at UAB); contact: 813-404-2640; carmeleyes@gmail.com. Small fee.
  

For more ideas:  We don’t NAP, we program:
We don't NAP - We Program! (google.com)

 

July 20, 2023
Topic: Displays
Attendance:

Shannon, Hoover
Brooke, Springville Road
Deidre, Bessemer
Rebecca, Trussville
Erica, Powderly
Holley, Mtn Brook
Tamara, Irondale
Ellen, BPL
Romellia, Wylam
Noelle, BPL

Looking for ideas for displays? Pinterest is a great resource but can be a brain drain/rabbit hole! Be careful of your time! There are also several Facebook groups that will post pictures or ideas for themes, etc. I found "Library Bulletin Boards & Displays," "Public Library Displays Youth & Teens," and "Great Library Displays." Those might help you if you are in a bind. There are also frequently articles in BookBub, Medium, BookRiot, HubPages articles on great library displays.

We are told to "Market like a Bookstore" so pay attention to how local bookstores display their books or label them for recommendations. I also found a fairly good PowerPoint presentation on displays at Gale Empower Learning.

We talked about challenges to displays. There was a great deal of uproar over a very small Pride display at North Shelby library but others, like Springville Road, actually had positive feedback to Pride displays. There are often comment cards about specific books on display with vague references to pornography. After one such comment, Holley at MB found a book hidden near her boss' office! Some libraries (not JCLC) have chosen to remove all book displays when patrons complain about one type of display or another - choosing to not highlight groups in order to prove a point.

Does your library have a written policy for book displays? Having one might prevent or help justify choices made by library personnel in the case of challenges. Also, it might be helpful to keep track of what displays you do and when in order not to duplicate or get too stale.

Has anyone had success with the "Blind Date with a Book" concept? Bessemer had fun with Mylar balloons for attracting attention to displays.  Maybe disco balls would work too? One library had fun with books that have had no circulations - they put them out and had patrons vote for whether to keep them or not - some ended up circulating!

What are your creative/successful ideas?

Next meeting: Annual Adult Program Swap on Sept 21st at 10 am.

Thursday, May 28, 2023
Topic: Transition to Adulthood

Attendees:
Shannon, Hoover
Nicole, Tarrant
Bridget, Homewood
Gelenda Norman
Erika, Powderly
Tamara, Irondale
Maura, Trussville

We discussed that this was an illusive and hard-to-capture audience ranging from late teens to young couples beginning families - with lots of unique groups in-between (college kids, etc.) For a while, there was this genre called "New Adult" using a label for a type of book that was popular about 10 years ago - young romance with modern situations and settings. Those books have now just been consumed into the romance genre, at least here at Hoover!

In order to capture this audience, we need to rethink what this group does, who they interact with, and how best to serve them. For this reason, we have ample opportunities to create new and unique collections and programs, along with using ALL forms of social media (because no one person uses just one platform.)

To share some of my thoughts on words that describe this category, I've come up with: over-committed, lonely, broke, seeking validation, unskilled in life, self-sufficient, savvy in technology, world-wise, skeptical, and much much more. There are a lot of contradictions in this population too. As stated, they are aware of climate change and are willing to volunteer their time, but they also spend more time online playing games and escaping from reality. (Or is that just my view?)

I love Homewood's "Grownish" program series - that sounds like a great way to bring people in!

Some programming ideas were 

• Game Night
  
• Basic Sewing
  
• Library of Things for patrons to try new hobbies or cooking utensils
  
• Colleen Hoover read-alikes
• Basic Adulting classes
• Basic Bicycle Repair
  
• Anything to do with side hustles or making extra money
  
• Karaoke or Spoken Word performances
• Trivia
• Jam Sessions (play the same music, bring your instrument & join)
• Make kid events suitable for young adults (corn hole, giant jenga, mini-golf -- they want to be kids again!)
• Anything with cocktails or mocktails
• More events off site, at restaurant or coffee shop or bar
• Current events such as environmental issues
• Free Movies (make them interactive?)
• What else?

One of the keys to engagement is to make sure they keep coming back. So, do what you have to in order to get their contact information so that you can send out personalized emails or texts to participants as events roll out. I give door prizes out at events, requiring folks to enter their names (and contact if they want to stay in touch). This seems to amass a bunch of people willing to return to events.

What ideas do you have? What types of activities do you have planned? What are your opinions of this demographic??

March 16, 2023

Topic:  Community Engagement 

Attendees:
Shannon, Hoover
Leslie, Avondale
Bridget, Homewood
Deidre, Bessemer
Nicole, Tarrant
Ellen, Avondale
Alisha, BPL
Cara, Center Point
Fontaine, Books-by-Mail
Pam, Hoover
Laura, Homewood
Lynn, West End
Erica, Powderly
Michele, Homewood

Fontaine mentioned that she is more than happy to come to your library to introduce the community to Books-by-Mail - there are a lot of folks that are not aware of this vital service.

Our compliments to Pam Bainter from Hoover for her outreach services to elder facilities with custom-tailored talks she takes on the road each month. Pam creates these talks and pulls out all stops to bring new & interesting topics to seniors - also promotes books-by-mail while she's at it!

Deidre is preparing for summer reading at Bessemer. Forgotten Alabama, Glenn Wills, booked for a free program there. http://forgotten-alabama.squarespace.com/

Shannon is doing Astronomy for All, a Community Art Swap, and Storytelling workshop and lastly self-defense classes -- all of these are for adults. Leslie is doing an adult craft and planned opening of their jigsaw puzzle exchange. They are also planning a Harry Potter Escape Room (printable). They are doing all this with a "puzzle/all together now" theme. Avondale is also doing several Pride-related crafts for adults and teens. 

Fontaine's sister works for the Nature Conservancy and can come to any library to speak about what they are doing in our area. That might be a contact for future programs. Any nature organization will probably come to your library for free.

Deidre reached out to Bessemer Police Dept - they did a program called "Safer Driving for Senior Citizens" - the speaker goes everywhere to share these safe skills. And from the County Courthouse she has had someone come and talk about Property Tax Exemptions for those over 65 - how to qualify and how to find the correct forms. Jefferson County Senior Division is coming to talk about free services along with memory testing (Free Memory Screening) - those might be beneficial to other branches too! Deidre also works with ACES (Alabama Cooperative Extension Service) to do their program "Live Well Alabama" - a walking program to introduce services available. Speaker for ACES is Desiree Bates - she also helps seniors fill out SNAP applications for those that don't have computer skills.

Lynn has partnered with Cahaba Medical Center to do programs - they are doing "Talk with a Doc" where one or two doctors walk over and answer questions and present new information to the neighbors. In April, they will be doing a 10-minute talk followed by a 20-minute walk - and it's called WE Walk or Walk with a Doc. The library reached out to the outreach director at the facility that is right next door. Great idea!!!

Cara at Center Point talked about going out once a month to senior center and does programs and they've started teaching crochet. They also participate in any community event like National Night Out (they had a booth); Mental Health Workshop in May where the library will provide resources; partner with a local coffee shop - they've installed a little free library in the shop. The shop also promotes library programs.

Keep your stay-at-home and work-from-home audiences by offering Zoom options for programs.

Laura at Homewood talked about working with the Chamber of Commerce for them to do a table at the Taste of Homewood event. Partnership with Trinity West - they have a remote campus that reaches a very diverse population that doesn't get to use the library as often. The church has a food pantry and a lot of outreach programs. Children's does storytime while the adults attend ESL classes.

Tarrant does a monthly outreach to retirement communities and offer delivery services for local patrons for whom visiting the library is difficult. Books by mail is utilized but this way they have access to more of the library's collection.

Cat at Homewood discovered the Extension Service for gardening programs like container gardens, etc. How to plant herbs, how to start a garden, etc. for kids and teens. Also creating comic books and leadership training from the 4H.

Speaking of gardening, you can contact Hope Long at the Botanical Gardens Library for a list of Master Gardeners that do outreach and programs. They are coming to the Hoover Library to do "Gardening with Nuisance Wildlife" for free.

Yiddish Book Center grant at the Hoover Library has been beneficial in offering partnerships with the faith community and civic organizations. Most interestingly is ALIRP, Alabama Interfaith Refugee Partnership - they are really helping me reach out to a diverse audience. They are also helping me with speakers that are refugees, etc. In the past, ALIRP  has done "Refugee Simulation Projects" with teens to learn empathy and understanding with others. That sounds like an interesting idea to bring to the library.

Ellen did a Tiny Art Show and worked with United Ability to participate in-person (the program was a grab-n-go originally). They sat down with UA's outreach person to develop some programs.  One of their people uses a voice device activated by eye movements and he wanted to read to kids. So, he does it and it was magical!

More about summer reading: everyone's kickoff is different but the aim is the same. Several library's have abandoned Beanstack for other methods of keeping track of reading. Homewood is using Jotform. BPL kickoff is May 13 with a big event at Avondale Park. Center Point is June 4 on a Satuday. Homewood is May 22nd. Hoover is Friday, May 26th. Hoover is trying to do more with adult summer reading during the kid's kickoff by having grab-n-go kits, a raffle, and our famous "Stump the Librarian" activity! Stump the Librarian is usually done during the month of July. What they do is have the cards from all kinds of games like Trivial Pursuit and patrons can ask any question they pull from a deck. The librarian must answer the question without researching it! If they get it wrong, the patron gets to put their name in the running for a gift certificate.  Keep in mind, some of these librarians have been doing this for over 20 years!!!

Update, if you need multiple books for a book group, please contact the Alabama Public Library Service because they have tons of book group kits. You can find them all online at https://apls.libguides.com/bookclub.

Maura emailed that Trussville just had a job fair with the Chamber of Commerce.

Lastly, if you don't know about JustServe https://www.justserve.org/ and find volunteer opportunities within the community. Your library can create an entry for an ongoing volunteer opportunity like your Friends group or a one-time project like rolling newspapers for the Humane Society. On Friday, April 14th, JustServe is having a networking event for nonprofits to share their experiences.

Thank you for all that attended!

January 19, 2023

Topic: Employment Search Support

Attendance:

Erica, Powderly

Alisha, BPL

Jacob, Gardendale

Lynn, West End

Rikki

Nicole, Tarrant

Maura, Trussville

Shannon, Hoover

This is a vital part of our service in helping patrons on an everyday basis! It includes resume writing, interview skills, and finding jobs online. Resources online differ and there is a lot of clickbait out there that can be a waste of time to those searching for jobs.

Jacob: Technology librarian for Gardendale. It's helpful to search on Google for local jobs, then go to company's webpage for more information. Facebook Community Groups often posts local jobs. Some success with Indeed - but you have to set up an Indeed resume through them. It does garble it up when you input data - so helping patrons is tougher. Better to use MS Word for resume - there are templates for resumes and they are FREE. We have to be careful to guide people away from websites that will offer to create resumes because patrons will spend hours crafting a resume only to find they have to pay for it. Some patrons use Alabama Works, a platform for making resumes, list experiences, job board - same as Alabama Career Center.

Lynn brought up AL Career Center for library jobs within BPL. For municipalities, you go to the city website for jobs & applying. Diane Blaylock has been helpful in getting people hired by the library.

Cherleen sent an email about Indeed and the amount of fraudulent claims for jobs which are actually just seeking personal information. America's Virtual One Stop https://www.americasvos.com/vosnet/Default.aspx might be one to consider.

Erica had a patron that was 18 or 19 and she was applying for the post office. She didn't understand how to apply for a job online. She didn't know she needed to know her previous supervisors name & number, her work dates, etc. Patrons need to understand what a basic job application will require before beginning. Easier if they know up front! (What do they cover in high school??? Probably don't have life skills class or a bad counselor!) Erica says one drawback is that we can tell a patron that a website is fraudulent but they want the job so bad they won't heed our advice.

Hoover received an email from the Alabama Department of Labor that does presentations on resume writing and interviewing skills, Alan Scott Hahn from the AL Dept of Labor has presentations at the ready - office number is 205-663-2542; email alan.hahn@alcc.alabama.gov

 

Middleman websites often have jobs listed that are already closed - so going to a company website to verify is essential. Look for applicable career associations that may have job boards, like our own American Library Assn, etc.

 

It is undoubtedly a very frustrating job helping those in need of jobs. The news will say there are jobs out there going unfilled but our job is connect people to these positions.

 

Maura says staff time often limits the amount of help we can give. Frustrating for patrons applying for jobs that don't require computer skills but they have to apply online. Sometimes they want us to do it all for them because they don't have the time to learn the skill.

 

Sometimes these clearinghouse sites have multi-level marketing scams that we have to steer patrons away from. We don't have the time to teach those skills of discernment.

 

Probably the most frustrating is what Jacob mentioned at the end: patron wants a job that requires NO use of technology - no computer skills needed at all. How do we find those and how can we be sure!?