What’s New for Senior Citizens at the Library

The fundamental purpose of the James Kennedy Public Library is to provide library services. To help fulfill this purpose several goals that affect service to senior citizens were set including the following:  

• The library collection will be kept current and made easier to access.
• The library will offer more programs of interest to patrons on a regular basis.
• Expand delivery of library services to homebound persons and others without convenient access to the library facility.

Each goal had specific objectives that pertain to library service for seniors. While not fully implemented these objectives are well on their way to becoming a routine part of our library service.

To keep the library collection current and easier to access for seniors a Senior Advisory Board was established. This board will help with selecting and evaluating materials for seniors. They will also help with selecting, planning and evaluating library programs targeting seniors. The Senior Advisory Board has met twice and their first planned program is SENIOR DAY. Senior Day, which is Tuesday, February 17 from 1 to 3 pm, is an open house at the library specifically for senior citizens. It is intended to introduce our services to them. There will be group tours, displays, door prizes, refreshments, the Wii game and Ruth Hemmer, the library’s genealogy librarian, will be available to answer questions in the Iowa Room. Seniors will also be invited to share their recollections of their school days. This will be recorded on DVD for the library’s permanent collection.

To expand delivery of library services to homebound persons and others without access to the library facility a Homebound Service has been established. This program provides adult services to those who are unable to get to the library. Homebound persons can have books, large print books, movies, magazines, and audio books delivered right to their home. Before bringing materials to their home, a member of the library staff will call to schedule a home or phone interview. This interview will determine what types of materials the patron would want. Once this is established a schedule for staff or volunteer to drop off and pick up material will be determined. Due to limited resources, the library cannot offer this service to people outside the Dyersville city limits. A brochure with all the homebound information is available at the library or through HomeInstead.  If you know someone who might be interested in this service, or are interested in volunteering to help deliver materials as part of the program, be sure to contact the library.