Here are a few of many reasons we love libraries.
We see it every day at Aging Wisdom, the subtle and profound ways knowledge empowers our clients, their families, our colleagues, and the allied professionals with whom we work.
For our clients, being informed and knowledgeable builds confidence. The more they know, the better they understand changes in health, evaluate options, manage difficult situations, make more informed choices and wiser decisions.
Our work with clients and their families includes education and guidance relevant to their individual situation. Our objective is to help them live well, care well, and age well.
The Aging Life Care Association (ALCA) recognizes that Aging Life Care Professionals (AKA Care Managers) have expertise in 8 key knowledge areas: Health and Disability, Financial, Housing, Families, Local Resources, Advocacy, Legal, and Crisis Intervention.
Libraries are knowledge portals
We grow our expertise in these knowledge areas through work, volunteer, and personal experience; educational opportunities such as conferences, webinars, self-study, and coursework; team meetings and training; working and collaborating with allied professionals; and LOTS of reading.
Our team members are prolific readers. It’s common for us to freely share books and what we’ve learned, attend author events, and participate in book clubs and discussions.
Libraries play a large role in our work. We love libraries and celebrate National Library Week.
Here in the greater Seattle-Bellevue area, we are fortunate to have access to a wide variety of libraries. The Memory Hub, a program of the UW Memory and Brain Wellness Center, has a lending library (image). We have a library in our office, and you can also find a library of resources at our blog, podcast, and Aging Wisdom University.
There are hundreds of Little Free Libraries throughout our area, including this special Grievers Library which has found a home in front of the Greenwood Senior Center in Seattle.
The two public library systems serving King County – King County Library System (KCLS) and The Seattle Library (SPL) – each have a professional with credentials in gerontology dedicated to Older Adults and Adults 50+ programming and services. Check out each library system and the events, programs, and services they offer by clicking the library links above. KCLS also has a Library2Go that brings library services to retirement homes, nursing homes, and assisted living communities.
Washington Talking Book and Braille Library (WTBBL), a program of the Washington State Library, “builds community and provides equitable access to information and reading materials for Washington residents unable to read standard print.” WTBBL offers audio and Braille books, youth services, computer training and instruction, reference services, and a Calendar of Events. They also have a librarian who specializes in services, programs, and supports for older adults.
Libraries are about more than books
Many public libraries have DVDs, music CDs, magazines, museum passes, and games, some even have musical instruments.
Library staff serve as guides to an abundance of resources. There are computers, printers, book groups, classes and workshops, lectures, employment support, skills training, healthy and creative aging outlets, to name a few.
KCLS has Makerspaces at several locations. Makerspaces include equipment and supplies for artmaking, sewing, audio and video recording, coding, robotics, and more.
The Phinney Neighborhood Association (PNA) has a Tool Library, as do many other organizations in the area. Here’s a list provided by King County Natural Resources and Parks.
On any given day, you can enter my local library and see families enjoying story time; a presentation by a local author; an intergenerational hands-on art project facilitated by SilverKite Community Arts; movie night; community musicians gathering for a jam session; or a citizenship preparation class.
Community building through libraries
Civic Coffee. Each month on the fourth Thursday, from 10:30 AM -12 Pacific Time, unless otherwise noted, Age Friendly Seattle co-hosts Civic Coffee events in partnership with The Seattle Public Library. Civic Coffees are offered as hybrid events, with physical locations changing each month in collaboration with local organizations such as community and senior centers.
In addition to presentation on topics such as Brain Health, Access to Care, and Financial Planning & Fraud Prevention, attendees have time to socialize with other participants and meet with area experts on the topic at hand.
Aging Well Learning Community. At the North Bend Library (KCLS) the Aging Well Learning Community meets monthly. They are “an open-learning community dedicated to aging well with consciousness, courage, and contribution. Enjoy nonfiction and fiction books, films, and other arts as catalysts for reflection and conversation. You do not need to have read the book to participate in the discussion. New members always welcome.” Registration is required. Learn more by clicking here.
Lifelong Learning. At the University of Washington, when you join the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at UW, you not only have access to courses, Lunch & Learns, study groups, and special events, you also get access to UW Libraries. Any quarter you are registered for a course, you can check out books.
Wendy Pender, KCLS’s Older Adults Program Coordinator and a close friend, centers her work around the importance of library services in the King County region and beyond. “My purpose is to connect people to the resources they need to lead happier, healthier lives, and to expand library programs that support older adults.”
Wendy has organized and facilitated everything from Wisdom Cafes to Veterans Resource Fairs and Town Halls, technology and arts engagement workshops, the online Pioneers in Aging speaker series (learn more here), fraud prevention and dementia awareness, Medicare and Social Security 101, traveling on a budget, and family caregiver supports.
“It is so rewarding to participate in our community this way, bringing hope, learning, and joy to our patrons. What a privilege!”
It’s clear Wendy loves her work. She reflects a spirit that I find with all library staff and libraries: they are conduits of “hope, learning, and joy.” Let’s celebrate libraries!
Challenged as you traverse health or memory changes? Could you benefit from an experienced and knowledgeable navigator? Let us help guide you through. Click here to schedule a get-acquainted call today.
Just for fun: download these “There’s More to the Story” coloring sheets — One, Two, and Three — courtesy of Pennsylvania school librarian Alanna Justice.
