Out standing in our field (and that’s where we belong!)

Services for Boomers at Multnomah County Library

Abigail Elder & Jane Salisbury

About Multnomah County• Demographics– Portland and eastern suburbs– Almost 700,000 in Multnomah County– 199,487 people 50+ in Multnomah County– 1.9 million people in greater Metro area– Expecting 1 million more people in next 20 years.

• Great public transportation• Vibrant downtown• Gentle climate, outdoor recreation

Multnomah County Library

• Our patrons love us! • 17 Locations with 2 more coming soon• Some of the busiest libraries in country• Nationally recognized youth programs• Currently well-funded through local levy• Staff and space are stretched to their limits!• So, we had to make the case for services for

older adults.

Making the case: cons

• Great groups are already serving Boomers• Library already too busy• We think we already serve this group

effectively • Scared it will become another juggernaut like

youth services• People don’t “get it”

Making the case: pros

• Library is welcoming, safe, convenient, good hours and free.

• Offer programs & collections for all ages• Intergenerational programs• Neutral place for civic engagement• Egalitarian– open for all• People love & trust the library.

Sowing seeds: How we began

1. Invited ourselves to the table 2. Made connections within community3. Found out what’s needed4. Convinced library leadership

Inviting yourself AARP Arts boards Genealogists Business associations Neighborhood associations Oregon Gerontological

Assoc. Conference Cultural, Arts and History

committees University task forces Fix-it Fairs USCIS Community Liaison

Office

• Caregiver’s Resource Fair• Condo welcome committees• CNRG, Idealist.org• Local telecommuter

networking groups• Wellness programs• Book discussion groups,

knitting, crafts, gardening…..• National Night Out• Immigrant and refugee services

and organizations

How to find partners?

• Get on mailing lists & listservs• Read newspapers & newsletters • Go to events (Sunday Parkways)• Join groups & offer to speak• Pick up and drop off flyers and business cards• Practice introducing yourself: people want to

meet you!• Be responsive to those who approach you.

Find out what they want

• Invite yourself to programs, resource fairs, board meetings, conferences, regular meetings – what are they discussing?

• Listen• Ask: how can we help? Brainstorm with the

group. • Emphasize what library does besides books.• Do informational interviews. • See what other libraries are doing.

Build relationships

• Serve on committees• Write content for group’s newsletter or

website • Distribute materials for other groups• Write letters of support for other

organization’s grant applications• Recognize your place (Leadership? Support?)• Reintroduce yourself

Speaking truth to power• Educate your administrators– Demographics and diversity– Informally share facts at each opportunity– Manage up– Make presentations & raise consciousness– Use your counterparts in other organizations to make

your case• Submit proposals– Menu of options– Indicate the expected costs and results– Phased implementation of programs

Inside the Barn.

• Recruit Boomer staff to the project– Test your program ideas on them– Use their connections

• Become the in-house expert• Use your volunteers–Many are Boomers–Well-educated and experienced– Have expertise in areas you where you lack

Since becoming jolly good fellows

• We’ve presented to state library organizations, executive team, middle management, staff committees, and community partners

• Currently hiring literacy coordinator, adult services manager

• Life By Design Collaboration• LSTA grant application• Nicer brochures.

What’s next

• Sandwich Generation Series• Recruiting Boomer volunteers• Advisory Task Force for older adult programs• Critical mass of interested staff• County Vital Aging Task Force • Regional collaboration