The document provides many ideas for programming and services targeted towards seniors at libraries. It suggests offering no-fines policies, repeat popular events, early seating, and technology help. Specific program ideas include a coffee bar and puzzle area, intergenerational and decade-themed events, genealogy and writing workshops, health and fitness programs, and more. The document emphasizes creating easy, low-cost opportunities to engage seniors through social activities, education, resources and assistance.

1. BuildingGreatProgramsforSeniors
AmyAlessioamyalessio@sbcglobal.net
SeniorFriendly Ideas
 No fines
 Punchcardsfor fines,bonusmaterials,extensions
 Discountsfortrips,events
 Technologydropins
 Appointmentsforextrahelpordesignatedtimes
 Repeatingpopularevent
 Non-bindingregistration
 Microphones
 Visibility(evensubtitles)
 Lighting
 Short handouts
 Time for sharing
 Early seating
 One Page remindersforupcomingevents
SecondChapterCafé,WhitehallPublicLibrary,PA
 Coffee bar
 Collectionincludingpuzzles,gadgets
 Programs
All LibrariesProvide
 Social Opportunities
 Education
 Entertainment
 Assistance andTraining
 Resources
 No or LowCost Services
 Independence
FriendsGroups
 Fitslotsof requirementsfrompreviouspage
 Maybe a youngerFriends groupisneededalso
 Can fundseniorprogramsor special events
 Shouldhave itsownspecial events/rewards
 Train libraryvolunteers
 May have toend andrestart periodicallyasmemberschange
OptionsforGrowingClubs
 Realistictimeline forstaff while retaininginterest:monthly,weekly,quarterly

2.  Duplicate clubduringdayand evening
 Multi-generational
 Streamlinedregistration
 Easy to participate
 Rotate leadersorprojectleaders
ClubConnection:LibraryAcademy
 Four Weeks
 PresentationonEachDepartment
 QuickTrainings
 FunHandouts
 Basedon CommunityPoliceAcademy
 What do youwishmore of the publicknew?
Easy Well of Ideas
 FriendshipClub(Gary,IN,Lib.) –seniorscome atset date and timesforrotatingtopics,
programs
 SeniorLibraryCouncil (BramptonLib.) –seniorsplanprograms,provide ideas,likeTeenAdvisory
Board
Local and National Benefits
 State DepartmentonAging
 Spousal Impoverishment
 IllinoisFamilyCaregiverSupport
 GrandparentsRaisingGrandchildren
 Basic Overview of Typesof RetirementAccounts
 VoterRegistration
SeniorDiscounts
 AARPCard discounts
 Feature Chamberbusinesseswithseniorpromotions
 Seniorbusinessfair
 Travel and transportationforless(handoutinsummeroraroundholidays)
ClubConnection:GrandparentOpportunities
 FamilyEntertainment
 GamingNight
 ReadingNight
 HealthySnacks
 Movie Nights
 Crafts
 Special Events
 Day Tripsor Free TicketstoMuseums

3. Support
 GrandparentsRaisingChildrenGroups
 MaterialsonState Support
 FamilyPrograms
 School Readiness
 College ApplicationProcessSupport
 Financial AidorFamilyFinance WorkshopsatSame Time asKids’Events
Medicare and Medicine
 Partnershipswithhospitals,healthdepartments,agencies
 LivingWills
 Screeningsanddrives
 Informationandresources
 Medicare information
 Showingpeoplehowtolookupmedicines
 Housingfunding
Healthand Fitness
 HealthFair:gyms,simple screenings,demonstrationsof classes
 Self-Defense
 WellnessandHealthyLiving
 Grocery Stores:newfoodchoices
 No SweatSugarFree
 Couponing
 Mental Health:stagesof grief,holidaystress
Easy but notFast Food
 Microwave magic(alsogoodfor new adults)
 Four ingredientrecipes
 $5 dinners
 Supersalads& soups
 Ethnicfoodsand history
 Restaurantfestivals
SafetyandScams
 Internetandphone scams
 Basic self-defense
 Travel safety – international anddomestic
 Identityandpasswordsafety
MysteriousEvents
 Crimescene asdisplayorone-time program2008 TexasTeen ReadsManual
 Mysteryflavors

4.  Classiccrime TV & movies
 T/F Townordinance lawsvs.historical
 Self-Defense
 Puzzle tournaments
 Puzzle &Scrabble crafts
HousingFair
 OrganizationstohelpAge inPlace
 InformationonHospice
 RepresentativesfromDayPrograms
 OrganizationswithSeniorPrograms
 HousingRepresentatives
 VeteranBenefitSpeakers
DownsizingandSellingHouses
 Choosingfurniture
 Hostingestate sales
 Realtorreadiness
Value of items
 SellingOnline
 AntiquesExpertFair
 By Theme:Books,Jewelry,Glassware
 Valuesof PopularItemsbyDecade
 Displayof ItemswithResources
TriggerMemories
 Oldestcookbook
 Oldestrecipe
 Apron
 Treasure
 Ribbonor trophy
 Letter
 Photo/Polaroid
 PromPicture
Travel ThroughTime and Place
WWI: From OverThere to Your Library
 Meatlessmeals
 Famousads and marketingcampaignsorcommercials
 Genealogyprogramonmilitaryrecords
 Live StreaminglecturesfromNational WarI Museumand Memorial:
https://theworldwar.org/visit/upcoming-events

5. Topicsfor Both WWI andWWII
 VegetableGardening,CanningandMeatlessMeals
 KnitYour Bit:patternsknitfor soldiers
WWII and the Battle onthe Homefront
 Rationing,VegetableGardensandSpam: WWII Foods
 NormanRockwell,Marvel andothermemorable artfromWWII
 Skype programwithWWII MuseumStaff: http://www.nationalww2museum.org
 Local Veterans’groupsorreenactors
 Rosie,SpiesandFarmCorps: the role of womenduringWWII(MarilynMonroe)
 MemorabiliasharingVictoryTea
Veterans
 CollectPhotos,Memorabilia
 VeteransBenefits,Spouses
 Recordsof What UnitsfromArea Were inEach Major ConflictIncludingCivilWar
50’s
 Vintage CarShows
 Vintage Apron Decoration(orPoodle Skirts)formultiple generations
 Historyof BillboardHits
 Soda FountainMixology
 James,AudreyorMarilynMovie Fest
 KoreanWar
60’s
 Elvis,the Beatles,Neil Diamond andWoodstock
 OctoberSky,the RocketBoys and Space mania
 Tie Dyeing(socks,accessories,somethingdifferent)
 CookingTrends: inthe van,easygourmets,
 Cocktail Parties
 Anniversaries:Assassinationsof JFK,BobbyandMLK Jr.
70’s
 10 Tipsfor SavingEnergyinYour Home
 RetroGame Night, or What can you buildwithanErectorset or Tinkertoys?
 WovenOvenMitts,Macrame
 SaturdayNightFeverMoves
 Historyof Tupperware
 OwlsEverywhere Again
 BingewatchBradysandotherpopularTV
 Sewickly PL PinterestBoard https://www.pinterest.com/mgs311/decades-1970-s/

6. ClubConnection:Decades
 Fashion
 Food
 Music
 Books,moviesorTV fromthat time or setin that time (HappyDays)
 Tutorialsanddemonstrationsof dance steps
 Photos – ask patronsfor memorabilia,prompictures,recipesfromthaterafor contest
 TriviaContests
Worldof Ideas
 Virtual Travel andtastingforcountries,regions
 Worldof Flavorstourwithphrases
 International holidaytraditions
 Worldfamouscandies
 Artistsbycountry,copy theirstyle ontiles,t-shirts
 Local travel throughtime
Library Luau
 Historyof Hawaii
 Dancing
 Decorations
 Ukulele
 Taste of the HawaiianIslands
 Pineapple,Poi andSpam?
 Volcanoesandmore travel presentation
 Drinkmixology
 WWII tie-inwithhistory
Leavinga Legacy
 Genealogy
 Recipes
 Memoirs
 StoryHistory
 Photos
 Transferringmedia
ClubConnection:Geneaology
Technology
 Electroniclibraryresourcesanddownloadables
 E-readerschangingprintsize
 Simple photoandmovie editingfromphones
 Helpwithgadgets

7. ClubConnection:TechSavvySeniors
 SettingupGoodreadsshelves,othersocial media
 Newlibrarytechnologies:3-Dprinter,downloadables
 Testgadgetsor servicesforotherseniors
Easy and LowCost: SeniorTechScavengerHunt
 Prizesforcompletingorentering
 Online chatwithreference
 Downloadable app –show staff
 Signup forprogram
 Linkto librarysocial media
 Put itemonreserve online,oronline search
 Use online databases
 Downloadebookoraudiobook
JobFairs
 Part-Time orVolunteerOpportunities
 Resume Writing,Tips
 JobHunting
 ComputerandSocial MediaTraining
 FleaMarket or Craft Fair
IndianaPublicMediaCreative AgingFestival,orSeniorMakerFair
Recipe Scrapbooking
 Glue copiesonto8 ½ x 11 cardstockor scrapbookpaper
 Stickers,printedrecipesandquotesfromcutters
 Page protectorsfor 3-ringbinder
 Have patrons bringcopiesandexchange fordropinprogram
 Tiesinwithholidayorinternational themes
ClubConnection:Cookin’UpNostalgia
 RetroRecipe Exchange
 Jello
 Vintage HolidayFoods
 ClassicChicagoCandies
 Dessertsbythe Decade
 Vintage TeaParties
 KolackiesandMore
o Apple Pie andHistoryof HarvestFoods
ClubConnection:CraftySeniors
RetroCrafts

8.  FlowerLoom
 Quilling
 PomPoms(thinkrollerskates)
 Macrame (butno planthangers)
 StringArt
 WovenBarrettes
 Fascinators
ModernFun
 Scrapbooking
 Knitting/Crochet
 Quilting
 ComputerCrafting:printingtransfers
 3-D PaperCrafts,origami,ornaments
 Terrariums
ClubConnection: CraftingforCharity
 Cards forSeniorCenters,Veterans
 KnottingBlankets
 Knitting/Crocheting:clothing,blankets,squaresforblankets
 BlanketsforAnimal Shelters
 Sell orRaffle ItemsforCharity
ClubConnection:CreativeWriting
 Memoirs
 FlashFiction
 Calligraphy
 Journaling
 Basic Blogging
 Website Creation
 Non-fictionWriting
 QueryProcess
 MagazinesSeekingSeniorStories:Reminisce
 Self-Publishing
 BookTalk on WritingCraftBooks
Music, Dance and More
Music
 Festival
 ConnectedtoDates:Elvis’Birthday
 Summeror OutdoorPrograms
 Beatles’Tribute Bands,CivilWarMusic, Renaissance
 Big Bands
 HighSchool Musicians

9.  VeteransandMemorial DayEvents
 Local Tripsfor Concerts
Dance
 PreviewUpcomingSeasons
 Teach dance stepsforclassicsteps
 VictoryTeaor Promfor Seniors
 DemonstrationswithMusicfromProfessionals
 EthnicDance Groups
HollywoodComestothe Library
 Gourmetpopcorn
 AfterhoursOscar nightparty
 Hollywoodhistory –bydecade
 Short movie festivals
 Local actors, filminglocations
BookswithPizzazz
 50 Shadesof Racy Reading
 SweetReadsw/Cupcake Decorating
 Crafty Reads
 DeliciousReads
 ForgottenReadsor ShockingReads
 Novel Bites:BookClubFoodSuggestions
 Edgy and SexyReads
ClubConnection:BookClubsforSeniors
 Easy lending,registration
 Flexibilityinchoices,themes
 Skype withauthors
 Bookssetin past,evenchildren’s
 Non-fiction
 Playaudio
Creatures
 Adultsreadto dogstoo!
 Local animal scavengerhunt
 Petparades – virtual orlive
 Get CaughtReadingwithanAnimal
 Vacationpetphotos
 Dog foodfor fines –helpthe sheltersandpantries
 Make BlanketsforShelters