Improving Public Library Improving Public Library Services for Senior Services for Senior

CitizensCitizens

Honors Thesis ProposalHonors Thesis ProposalPresented by: Rita J. NixPresented by: Rita J. Nix

Faculty Mentor: James Swan, Applied GerontologyFaculty Mentor: James Swan, Applied Gerontology

Background & InterestBackground & Interest

Active and engagedActive and engaged

Current interests and learning new Current interests and learning new

Materials and Services Materials and Services provided include:provided include:

• Large print booksLarge print books

• Audio booksAudio books

• Computers with text enlarging Computers with text enlarging featuresfeatures

• Home book deliveryHome book delivery

Phase 1Phase 1

Identified services currently providedIdentified services currently provided

Phase 2Phase 2

Identify feasible additional services by Identify feasible additional services by surveying patrons and non-patrons surveying patrons and non-patrons

Patrons Patrons

Current library usersCurrent library users

on-site surveyon-site survey

Non patronsNon patronsSenior citizens centersSenior citizens centers

Questions will include:Questions will include:

• Do you use the local public library?Do you use the local public library?

• How often?How often?

• If not, reasons why?If not, reasons why?

• If so, what services do you use?If so, what services do you use?

• What could improve current services?What could improve current services?

• What other services would you use if What other services would you use if available?available?

• What could be done to better meet your What could be done to better meet your needs?needs?

Possible additional Possible additional questions:questions:

• GenderGender

• Age rangeAge range

• Option of listing any special needsOption of listing any special needs

Assess services of 3 library Assess services of 3 library systemssystems

• Fort Worth – large systemFort Worth – large system

• Denton – medium sizeDenton – medium size

• Azle – small, but planned expansion Azle – small, but planned expansion

Fort Worth Public LibraryFort Worth Public Library

• Central LibraryCentral Library

• 2 Regional Branches & 10 Branch Libraries2 Regional Branches & 10 Branch Libraries

• 2 Satellite Libraries 2 Satellite Libraries

collection includes: 5.3 million itemscollection includes: 5.3 million items

* 50 computers for public use* 50 computers for public use

* Outreach services for Seniors* Outreach services for Seniors

Denton Public LibraryDenton Public Library

• Central LibraryCentral Library

• 2 Branches2 Branches

– Over 106,000 items in main branchOver 106,000 items in main branch– Over 55,000 items in each of the Over 55,000 items in each of the

Azle Public LibraryAzle Public Library

• One libraryOne library

– Over 55,000 itemsOver 55,000 items– 18 patron computers 18 patron computers – 2,400 DVDs or videos2,400 DVDs or videos– 1,800 audio books1,800 audio books– Book delivery service provided by Book delivery service provided by

volunteersvolunteers

International ViewInternational View

Services being provided by other countries:Services being provided by other countries:

• JapanJapan

• Northern Ireland Northern Ireland

• New South Wales, AustraliaNew South Wales, Australia

• etcetc

Discovered no significant differences in Discovered no significant differences in services providedservices provided

Goals:Goals:

To create more awareness for the To create more awareness for the public of the services available to public of the services available to themthem

To create awareness of future needs To create awareness of future needs due to increased aging population due to increased aging population

Thank YouThank You

Dr. Swan – my mentorDr. Swan – my mentor

Dr. Eve – for all the encouragementDr. Eve – for all the encouragement

And to you, for coming to listen!And to you, for coming to listen!