Serving%20Seniors%20with%20Panache

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Serving Seniors with Panache

• Ontario Library Association Conference
• January 31, 2008

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The Human Comedy

• I know, of course, that everyone must die, but I
  thought an exception would be made in my
  case. - William Saroyan

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Oshawa

• 152,000 population
• Automotive industry (General Motors)
• Part of Greater Toronto Area
• 2005 Environics study

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Environics Study

• Blue-Collar Comfort
• Young, prosperous blue-collar families in exurbia
• Mobility Blues
• -Young and downscale mobile city singles
• Lunch at Tims
• -Working class old and young in industrial towns
  and cities

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Oshawa Public Libraries

• Largest library system in Ontario between Toronto
  and Ottawa
• Largest library in Durham Region which includes
  Pickering, Ajax, Whitby, Clarington, Scugog and
  Uxbridge

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Oshawa Public Libraries

• The Oshawa Public Library enriches the lives and
  potential of the people of Oshawa - by connecting
  them to the world of information and each other.
• 1.3 million circulations (350,000 items)
• 1694 programmes delivered to 35,556 customers
• Strategic Plan 2008 2011
• Teens, Young Families and Seniors

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Oshawa Public Libraries

• 4 branches serving very different populations
• The Northview and Legends Centre branches serve
  the most seniors
• Very different seniors at each location

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Oshawa Senior Citizens Centre

• Non-profit, multi-purpose community facilities
• Adults 55
• Promotes the health and welfare and happiness of
  seniors
• Empowerment, social interaction, public education
  advocacy

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Seniors Demographics

• Different populations of seniors and needs
• Confident I know what I want
• Time for Lifelong Learning
• Club Sandwich Generation
• Frail seniors

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Relationship Building

• Community Bar BQ 2003 where the Northview Branch
  Manager, the Program Coordinator for Seniors and
  a senior user discussed partnering
• Change from the 1980s!

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Relationship Building

• Meetings at the construction trailer for the new
  Legends Recreational facility
• Centre includes 4 NHL sized rinks a fitness
  centre a seniors centre, a library and a
  leisure pool

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Why Partner?

• Fast growing population
• Seniors have the most leisure time
• Cultural content from Library
• Shared facilities
• OSCC is a gateway to Outreach for the Library
  Day programs, Foot clinics

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British Isles Series

• Joint programming gained momentum in 2004 with a
  British Isles Series
• Robbie Burns Day
• Valentines Day
• St. Patricks Day

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Northview
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Valentines Day

• Can be a very lonely day for widowed seniors
• One program was organized by seniors themselves,
  supported by the OSCC, including poetry, drama,
  songs
• Last year, we celebrated 2 great loves
  chocolate and books
• This year The Fame of the Rose will be
  highlighted

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St. Patricks Day

• Reading

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Organizational Cultures

• All Library programmes are free
• Business orientation vs. client-centred
• Union staff vs. Volunteer-based
• General Public vs. Seniors

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Organizational Cultures

• Appreciate each others worlds
• Reaching Jess Hann Branch customers (OPL)
• Reaching John Street Branch customers (OSCC)
• Supportive management

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Seniors Advisory Group

• Bimonthly meetings
• Brainstorming around programs
• Membership includes OPL and OSCC staff and
  seniors
• A good man is hard to find!

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SAC

• Advice from OSCC
• Learn from staff about seniors
• Actively solicit input from senior members
• Buy-in and support from seniors

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Coffee and News

• Piloted at Legends Branch
• Now a mainstay at every location
• Seniors like interactive programs

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Video Discussion Series

• Human Side of World War II
• Harlots and Starlets
• Religions Around the World

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What Will I Read Next?

• Aka What should I read Next? Lunch and
  Learn
• Plan once and deliver at 3 locations
• Crafty Fiction
• Scotland Fiction
• Cookery Fiction
• Mummy Literature

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Depth of Research

• Use Novelist and other electronic resources
• Always include Canadian content
• History of subject or genre
• Include quotes and proverbs
• Find local experts (chefs, religious leaders,
  etc.)

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Remembrance Day Teas

• 2006 Year of the War Bride
• 2007 Focus on Vimy Ridge

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OSCC Day Program

• Adjust times for programs
• Jake Rude

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June is Seniors Month!

• Writing Contest
• 2007 Memoirs
• 2008 Travel Essays
• Treasured Books and Memories Tea
• Involved Durham Writers Group

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Afternoon Matinee Series

• Lillie Langtry
• Lord Mountbatten
• London Walk Old Docklands
• Progressive build up audiences
• UK rights

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Intergenerational Programmes

• Coronation Street- Canadas favourite soap opera
• View an episode together
• English tea and treats
• Trivia quiz and prizes

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1. How many times has Fred Elliott proposed
marriage?

• Three
• Seven
• Twice

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Feature Programmes

• Sistine Chapel
• Christmas Moon and other delights
• Looking for Mona
• The Parthenon

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Joint Events

• Hobby Expo
• Memories of South Oshawa
• Technology Fair

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Community Events

• Spring Bar B-Q
• Swing into Summer
• South Oshawa Community Day

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Community Events

• Deck the Halls
• Health and Wellness Expo
• Alzheimers Society of Durham Region
• Seniors residences
• Frail Elders Alliance

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Ready, Set, Action!

• Library without Walls at OSCC events
• Displays
• Pathfinders
• Registrations and Check-outs

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Partnership has its benefits

• OSCC Speakers Bureau
• Shared programming space
• Librarys Graphics Department
• Connections in the community

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Marketing

• Programme and Activity Guides
• Newspapers
• Seniors plan their week Library is a bigger
  drawn than a niche market (i.e., seniors)

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Marketing

• Flyers and posters
• Display cases at OSCC

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Tips for success

• Be open to partnering
• Its about time take yours!
• Program timing
• Library staffs passions, interests and
  personalities are always welcome!

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Tips for success

• Dont segregate seniors what works for them
  will often work for others
• Work with strengths
• OSCC Food, music, grass roots presence
• Library space, books, knowledgeable staff

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Canadian Library Association

• Interest Group on Services to Older People
• Canadian Guidelines on Library and Information
  Services for Older Adults
• http//www.cla.ca/AM/Template.cfm?SectionLibrary_
  and_Information_Services_for_Older_People

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• How to reach seniors without a well-organized
  seniors group in the community
• Older Centres Association of Ontario
• Church groups

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Thank You!

• Ellen Stroud
• Oshawa Public Libraries estroud_at_oshawalibrary.on.
  ca
• Colleen Zavrel
• Oshawa Senior Citizens Centre
• czavrel_at_city.oshawa.on.ca