Brooklyn Public Library (BPL) strives to serve all 2.6 million Brooklynites through offering services that meet the varying educational and recreational needs and interests of the borough’s residents. To meet the needs of older adults BPL’s Services for Older Adults department provides older adults with meaningful opportunities to learn, create and socialize in classes that are free, welcoming, and accessibly-located in neighborhood libraries. To deliver programs to older adults who cannot attend programs at their local libraries, BPL has formed collaborations to expand its reach and capacity. Through DOROT’s University Without Walls, BPL is able to offer remote access programs, removing barriers to its services online and over the telephone.

New York City’s population of adults over 65 is approximately 1.13 million which is about 13.2 percent of the City’s population; the largest population of seniors resides in Brooklyn. Over 19% of Brooklynites ages 60+ live in poverty; 63% are foreign-born. While many seniors suffer from social isolation, a number of factors place immigrant seniors at even greater risk. Social isolation and loneliness can have detrimental impacts on older adults leading to compromised physical and mental health. Since 2014 the Services for Older Adults department leverage existing programs that would enhance the lives of our patrons and address social isolations in new ways.

Taina Evans, Coordinator, Services for Older Adults, has worked for BPL since 2007. Mrs. Evans brings to her work a vision to better connect older adults to library services. As a program facilitator, Taina evaluates effective ways to get a group of people together without the time and inconvenience of travel to an onsite meeting within the library. Conference attendees will gain insights in providing an uninterrupted connection between participants and facilitator, the type of content participants find interesting and have ample opportunities to ask questions. The workshop will discuss technical assistance, dual-language sessions, Creative Aging programs, and what challenges might be encountered when designing a program utilized tele- and video-conferencing technology.