Improving Public Library Services for Senior Citizens Honors Thesis Proposal Presented by: Rita J....
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Transcript of Improving Public Library Services for Senior Citizens Honors Thesis Proposal Presented by: Rita J....
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
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 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