Article

A Senior Program Grows in Brooklyn: Brooklyn Public Library's Service to the Aging

If an average New Yorker was asked what images South Brooklyn brings to mind, chances are that Nathan’s hot dogs, the Cyclone roller coaster, and the ocean would vie for first place. While all of these factors certainly contribute to Brooklyn’s rich heritage, as a St. John’s University library science student residing in Park Slope, I feel compelled to expound upon a lesser known but equally exceptional aspect of my beloved borough: Brooklyn Public Library’s (BPL) Service to the Aging.

History
Founded in the late 1970s, Service to the Aging was a response to claims that the BPL system was not fulfilling the needs and desires of seniors. As the progressive 1960s marked an advent of proactive social change and outreach in American society, Brooklyn senior library patrons jumped at the chance to
unite and let their voices be heard. In response to their demands, grants were secured by Brooklyn Public Library to create Service to the Aging.

Based at the New Utrecht branch of BPL, Service to the Aging was under the leadership of Senior Manager Jo Ann Radioli (she has since retired). Upon meeting her, I was instantly impressed by her staunch commitment to the provision of services to the senior population, a dedication which radiated from her words as she proudly explained the history and function of the service to me. According to Radioli, BPL is the only library system in the United States that has devoted a full office to senior services.

Boasting its own office and payroll, Service to the Aging is staffed by five full-time people: a librarian, a driver, a community outreach supervisor, Books to Go/Books by Mail coordinator, and an office manager. The driver’s purpose is to deliver library materials to roughly 170 designated senior sites all around Brooklyn.

Senior Executive(s)
In addition to its full-time staff members, Service to the Aging also provides senior patrons with the opportunity to serve as paid senior assistants. According to Radioli, the main function of a senior assistant is to implement programs or events at different locations throughout Brooklyn. Each senior assistant is assigned to one particular location, such as a nursing home or public library. A special budget is reserved for the assistants and is used both to
pay them and fund the programs.

Event composition runs the gamut, from entertainment to education on issues pertinent to senior citizens. Live music and movies are always popular, and senior performers are primarily hired as another way of supporting this population. Radioli was quick to mention that the diversity of Brooklyn encourages
senior assistants to plan events catering to various ethnic groups.

Not all events are solely intended to entertain: assistants often plan useful workshops to educate seniors on food stamps, social security, and health care. Free services such as blood pressure clinics are offered. Librarians at other Brooklyn branches are invited to contact Service to the Aging and request particular programs. If the program fits into the yearly budget, an assistant will happily take care of its orchestration.

You’ve Got Mail
As I am particularly interested in book delivery to homebound patients, I inquired with Radioli as to how Service to the Aging deals with this issue. First, seniors can choose to participate in the Books by Mail program. In Radioli’s opinion this service is “dearest to a librarian’s heart.” The function of this program is to ship library materials to seniors’ homes if they are both homebound and have a print disability. Specifically, an interested senior must ask a medical professional to sign a contract which verifies his or her physical impairment. In return, postage is covered by the Library of Congress. Although the Books by Mail program does not extend to mobile seniors without specific visual or physical handicaps, this group is provided with alternative borrowing options. They can choose to pick up books from various sites around Brooklyn.

Radioli made it a point to let me know that she thinks it’s important for librarians at all branches to be educated on specific senior needs. In light of this, BPL applied for and received an LSTA grant to fund Everyone Services Seniors, which was a training session for staff on working with the senior population. All of the branches in Brooklyn are made aware of the existence of Service to the Aging.

Practical Applications
While Brooklyn’s Service to the Aging is certainly a major accomplishment and deserves commendation, it should also raise awareness of the plights of senior library users living outside of Brooklyn. Statistics report that 22 percent of current public library users are over fifty-five, and the percentage is predicted to continue to increase.¹ Needless to say, these figures will necessitate a sharp increase in public library services and programs geared primarily
towards senior citizens. Thus, it is imperative that the existence and success of Brooklyn’s Service to the Aging is broadcasted both to the general public and library professionals. Knowledge of this program can provide other public library systems not only with inspiration, but also with the outline of a capable and popular service which they can use as a stepping stone to create similar services for their own seniors.

Reference
1. Center for Civic Partnerships, Lifelong Learning: New and Innovative Library and Educational Services, (accessed Sept. 15, 2010).