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A brave new world for senior library patrons
By Catherine Cottle

There are new ways of doing things at our public libraries, and much of this is due to almost everything going electronic.  Many of us notice that computers tend to make some older library patrons a little nervous.  It can be kind of scary for patrons who have limited computer skills.  The younger people seem so fast and knowledgeable, while some of our patrons are still figuring it all out.

Because it is a new and different world for many of us, when I had a chance this past year to set up a library partnership with a regional agency, I went to the West Central Florida Area Agency on Aging (AAA).  This organization provides information and referral services to senior citizens, family members and caregivers.  Being in the business for many decades, the AAA knows how to help the elderly. 

In the library world, we also provide information and referral services to all, including senior citizens.  It was a natural fit.  We could share resources and give senior patrons the type of help that they need, both in person and electronically.

As part of my graduate fieldwork with the University of South Florida School of Library and Information Science, I was able to set up the partnership with public libraries in five counties (Hardee, Highlands, Hillsborough, Manatee and Polk).  With the help of the Tampa Bay Library Consortium, we brought together five librarians and shared information about the AAA.   TBLC Executive Director Charlie Parker and I also shared library information with the AAA’s staff.  Once the two groups started to realize that they could help each other and the senior patrons, things really took off.

In the past several months, we have been developing electronic tutorials about elder services and how the AAA can help patrons.  We have also developed electronic tutorials on those e-government forms that seniors have to fill out.  We have provided “cheat sheets” with information about what seniors need before they fill out e-Government forms.  AAA can provide assistance and programs in the libraries on a regular basis.  There is a toll-free phone number that patrons and librarians can call anywhere in Florida – 1-800-96-ELDER.

We have worked with USF SLIS faculty member Dr. Stephanie Maatta-Smith to include library students in the project and to raise the awareness about what senior public library patrons need.  We have also been working with Nancy Fredericks, e-government services manager of the Pasco County Public Library, to create a template for other governmental agencies to use in setting up e-government partnerships.

Our librarian partners have made this happen.  If you see any of the following at the public library, they deserve a shout-out for thinking about and providing for seniors who may need a little more time or a little more help in this brave new electronic world:  Patti Lang (Hardee), Mary Myers (Highlands), Victoria Rickets (Hillsborough), Marion Hayes and Linda O’Conner Levy (Manatee) and Tina Peak (Polk).