The Library Experience: Older Citizens

Back to School: A Lifelong Learning Trend for Older Adults
By Carol Greenfield, Senior Web Solutions

Why are some older adult patrons inquiring about reference on the archeology of Mesopotamia? Or about landmark Supreme Court decisions? Or about music from the romantic era?

Perhaps these lifelong learners are enrolled in one of the many lifelong learning institute programs that are cropping up on college campuses locally and nationally. Why this trend for lifelong learning? Throughout the country, there has been tremendous growth in the demand for learning programs for older adults. New opportunities for lifelong learning are redefining what it means to grow older. A recent Harris survey sponsored by AARP and the National Retired Teachers Association confirmed the strong interest in lifelong learning among adults older than age 50. When asked why they want to learn, over 90% of the respondents said that they want to keep up with what is going on in the world, to increase their spiritual and personal growth, and to experience the sheer joy of learning something new.

Although they are only one component of this important adult learning trend and each are unique, lifelong learning institutes share three things in common. The first is sponsorship by a host college/university to ensure academic integrity and also that members have access to other benefits of being located on a campus of higher learning. The second commonality is encouraging older learners to take "ownership" of their institute by becoming members and paying dues to support it. Thirdly, these institutes also encourage members to volunteer to teach courses to enhance the sense of community through peer learning.

The Elderhostel Institute Network is a national organization of independent lifelong learning institutes and provides a directory of programs nationwide at www.elderhostel.org/Ein/map_usca.asp.

For some local programs:

Life Long Learning
Northern Essex Community College
Phone: 978- 556-3688
Web: www.necc.mass.edu

Explorers Lifelong Learning Institute of Salem State College
Phone: 978-744-0804
Web: www.salemstate.edu/explorers

Learning in Retirement Association at the University of Lowell
Phone: 978 934-3135
Web: http://www.uml.edu/Dept/comm_service/LIRA/prospective/index.html

The Middlesex Institute for Lifelong Learning for Seniors
Phone: 781-280-3617
Web: noncredit.middlesex.mass.edu/miles/

To share additional lifelong learning resources with other librarians, please email Mary Behrle mary@nmrls.org.

Enhancing Archival Access in Northeast Massachusetts

From unorganized to boxed and arranged: Reuben Hoar Library (Littleton) Records processed by contract archivist Bill Carroll.

For a full description of the materials see the National Union Catalog of Manuscript Collections at: www.loc.gov/coll/nucmc/ Click on the RLG Union Catalog and key in Reuben Hoar Library under "Easy Search Form."

Thanks to Marnie Oakes for the photo.