Several years ago, the Task Force on Library Service to Older Adults; part of the Outreach Division of the Ohio Library Council; created an idea exchange for Ohio librarians serving older adults. Called the “Circuit Rider,” this loose-leaf binder traveled from one library to another, enabling staff members to use ideas from other Ohio libraries; and in turn, to add descriptions of their own successful programs. Many libraries signed up to receive the notebook and reported satisfaction with it. Over the years, however, the task force realized that it was difficult to keep track of the few copies available and to keep them moving fast enough to fill requests in a reasonable length of time. Therefore, it was decided to create a similar publication that any library could buy at a reasonable cost and have available permanently for use as needed. This publication was entitled Elder-berries and was published in 1988. The task force updated and expanded it in 1998. Another decade has passed and this publication is now available in electronic format on the OLC Web site.
This publication is a collection of good programs for older adults. In some cases they are described just as originally presented and submitted. In other cases they have been combined with similar programs, as an example that when ideas are shared and adapted, they can become even better. The task force regards these programs as a catalyst, not an exact set of instructions. In using them, librarians are encouraged to consider the resources of their own libraries and adapt the materials accordingly. We hope that some of these programs may serve as stimulus to librarians, a sort of “jumping off place,” for them to create new, but related, programs of their own, and to use the unique assets of their own communities. We encourage you to submit your own programs to be add to Elder-berries to make it even better. We will be adding new programs on an annual basis and look forward to including your ideas.
The Library Services to Older Adults Task Force of the Outreach and Special Services Division is accepting additional program ideas for future revisions of Elder-berries. If you are interested in submitting a program that has been successful at your library, please complete the submission form, save it and send it as an e-mail attachment to Mona Pocatko.
Complete Elder-berries publication- 82 Pages
Last Revised 03/18/08
Note: Chapters are available in PDF for libraries to download.
CHAPTER 1: BOOKS & DISCUSSION
Online Book Discussion Chat with Rochelle Krich
Read-Aloud Sessions
Seniors' Book Review
Stories by Word Weavers
Women: a Series of Discussions
CHAPTER 2: COMPUTERS
Consumer's Guide to Buying a Computer
Computer Classes to Go
Introduction to Computers
How to Personalize Your Computer: The Control Panel
Introduction to the Web Browser
Introduction to Microsoft Windows
CHAPTER 3: FINE ARTS
Autumn Poetry
Big Band Jazz with the Jack Schantz Jazz Unit
Big Band Sound
Count Your Blessings
Grandma Moses: Her Life & Times
Musical Journey Westward
Musical Sundays
Sounds Like Music
CHAPTER 4: FUN & GAMES
Trivia Contest
CHAPTER 5: HISTORY & REMINISCING
Aprons
Hats Off to Books
Mail Across the Miles – and Barns Along the Way
My Bonnet: History of Hats from 1860-1960
Nostalgia Series
One-Room Schools and Necessary Houses
Reminiscing: Programs at Local Nursing Homes
Roaring 20s: Remembering the Flappers
Simple Pleasures
They Called It Home
CHAPTER 6: HOBBIES & CRAFTS
Attracting Winter Birds
Collector's Luck: Trash & Treasure Day
Flowers
Greenhouses, Herbs, and Perennials
Herbs
Journal Keeping
Language of Flowers
CHAPTER 7: HOLIDAYS
Armistice Day: Remembering the Doughboys of World War I
Christmas Jeopardy
Holiday Ideas – Poems – Crafts
Learn a Craft – Make a Gift
Spirit of Christmas
Thanksgiving
Veterans Day: Remembering the War Years and the Fireside Chats
CHAPTER 8: INFORMATIONAL (AGING, HEALTH, FINANCIAL, ETC.)
Back to Work After Retirement
55 and Alive
Getting Rid of Your Clutter
Here's to Your Health
How to Look 30 When You're Over 40 and Feel 20
Parenting Your Parent
Who Gets Grandma's Yellow Pie Plate?
CHAPTER 9: INTERGENERATIONAL
Bridging Generations
Foods With Moods
CHAPTER 10: MEDIA
Book and a Movie: Film Discussion Group
Brown Bag Film Series: Laugh & Lunch with the Great Radio Comedians
Hollywood Heartthrobs
Hollywood Travels by Boat
How the West Was/or Wasn't
Old Time Film Festival
Outer Space on Radio
Remembering Classic Film Villains
Shiver Me Timbers: Pirates in Fact & Fiction
Silent Film Festival
A Toledo Package
CHAPTER 11: TRAVEL
Let's Take a Trip
What's in the Sky
