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This study aims to examine library programming for active older (“third age”) adults and give suggestions for future improvements. In addition to covering research specific to library programming for these adults, which is limited, this review will also survey the literature on lifelong learning for this population.

This paper includes a literature review on library programming geared specifically to active, older adults and a survey of literature on lifelong learning for the “third agers”.

Demographics show that older adults are a growing population, not only in the USA, but worldwide. Many baby boomers have already entered or soon will be entering the “third age”. Most libraries are not providing specific programming to support these older lifelong learners. In the USA, baby boomers have the highest net worth of any generation, and as such, are an important fundraising source. Research indicates that older adults participate in lifelong learning activities and will attend library programs of interest. Topics of interest include hobbies/leisure pursuits, humanities, social/international issues, religion/philosophy, arts, technology and nutrition/health/stress management.

Libraries are missing a prime opportunity to expand services, develop library advocates and fundraise by ignoring the growing population of active older adults. Suggestions are given for how both public and academic libraries can take advantage of these opportunities.

Older adults are a rapidly growing population. Providing library programming for this group benefits both older adults and libraries.

There are no known previous comprehensive literature reviews on library programming for older adults. Offering specific programming to this population has benefits for older adults, libraries and their communities.

Library programs for developmentally disabled adults are essential for community enrichment. When the author created a program for her local library in 2014, she was a little alarmed by how few programs existed. Over the past few years, the author has seen a greater interest in programming for adults with developmental disabilities, but librarians have questions about where to get started. There are programs currently that are already available for those who want to engage developmentally disabled adults; however, librarians may also opt to create a program from scratch. For librarians who have never worked with developmentally disabled adults, there is some training available although it may not be what librarians really desire or need. The best opportunity to create beneficial programs is to collaborate with community partners such as local day training centers and schools.

This paper aims to illustrate the importance of a cultural shift to fully embrace and serve persons with cognitive, intellectual or physical disabilities into the library community.

Through a combination of staff training, age- and ability-appropriate programming, accommodating service models, management-led expectations and partnerships, Anythink Libraries in Thornton, Colorado, implemented AnyAbility – a program designed especially for adults with disabilities – in April 2014.

AnyAbility’s success has led to a number of positive impacts, including increased services and collaboration, shifts in user patterns and independent visits and a more inclusive library environment in which staff have increased awareness and a stronger interaction with this population.

The program has transformed the lives of the staff who work at Anythink Wright Farms and the community of Anythinkers who use transformations, the AnyAbility programming has been offered at multiple Anythink locations and libraries from across the country have contacted Anythink for inspiration and advice on programs and training on this topic. Most importantly, this approach has transformed the library experience for customers, specifically adults with cognitive disabilities.

A category of humanities public programming which forms a unique type of “readers' advisory” service has developed in the United States in the past 20 years. Encouraged by funding provided by the National Endowment for the Humanities, readers' discussion groups have grown in number and variety in the 1980s. This article reviews the history of humanities public programming, explores the nature of the readers' discussion groups, and examines the effectiveness and impact of these programs.

You want to create a series of programs for adult — ongoing programs that increase library visibility in your community as well as adult circulation and usage. You have no money earmarked for this endeavor. As the adult services librarian, you know your community. You are aware of adult patron tastes and reading preferences. While developing a well‐rounded collection, you are ordering books that reflect your community and, when funds permit, you are recommending innovative services. You plan programs at least six months in advance.

This chapter explores the work of a library adult literacy programme working closely with other education providers in Risdon Prison in Australia. The Literacy Service operates as a form of outreach to the prison population who have low literacy levels and are not yet engaged in education or using the prison library. In this context, it is a form of radical inclusion, creating opportunities for those most disadvantaged to access learning. The library services help to create a literate environment for prisoners and provide opportunities for prisoners to increase their engagement in lifelong learning and everyday literacy practices, giving them a better chance of developing their literacy skills. Strategies explored for engaging this cohort include a range of creative projects, small group work and one to one tutoring. The Literacy Service has developed best practice approaches to deliver effective literacy support using strategies and approaches that align with research and these are adapted for work in the prison context. The Literacy Service approach is aligned with the wider prison goals of rehabilitation and reintegration and the chapter explores a theory of change to identify how prison education may be most effective in supporting rehabilitation (Szifris, Fox, & Bradbury, 2018). The library Literacy Service offers safe spaces, opportunities to create social bonds, reshape identity, engage in informal learning and set new goals – key elements found to be critical in rehabilitation. The Prison Library Impact Framework, developed by Finlay and Bates (2018), connects these elements with the theory of change model to propose a tool that may be useful to evaluate prison library services in the future.

Public libraries providing family literacy programming make a sound investment in the future, by developing the future of the family, the community, the library and the nation. Family literacy programs help the adult parent or caregiver to successfully fulfill his role as the first and foremost teacher of his children. Public libraries are a natural as a family literacy provider. Many public libraries deliver many of the basic components of a sound family literacy program. And, family literacy programs bring more resources into the library than they use. This article explains why this is so and provides a thumbnail sketch of the first state‐wide, state‐funded, public library‐based, family literacy initiative, California’s Families For Literacy Program.

For centuries, the Hispanic population has been proving itself as an emerging majority in the United States. The United States census shows that the Hispanic population more than doubled from 1970 to 1980 and from 1980 to 1990. However, despite these data, libraries have not adapted their library services to meet the needs of this population, despite their knowledge that Hispanics do not feel welcome in libraries. Authors from 1970 to 2001 have highlighted the long-standing problem of Hispanic under-utilization of libraries and have provided recommendations for the library community regarding adapting their services in a culturally sensitive manner. Despite these publications, there is still literature in 2001 reporting that Hispanics do not feel welcome in libraries. The purpose of this study is to examine the current status of three facets of librarianship: (1) outreach efforts to Hispanics; (2) specialized training for Hispanics in bibliographic and information literacy; and (3) current attitudes of Hispanics toward public libraries.

The study aims to investigate the characteristics of the current situation of library programs and explore the possible reasons behind the low participation in Hong Kong. It focuses on the development of library programs in the era of digital technology, which can lead to discussion and reflections on the further development of library programs with innovative technology services.

This study applied a mixed-method research approach to investigate the current situation of library programming and the reasons for low participation in Hong Kong. The first part analyzes the characteristics of library programs offered by the Hong Kong Public Libraries (HKPL) through data collection from the HKPL website. The second part of this study investigated the reasons behind the low participation in library programs through quantitative research through an online survey.

The findings show that current library programs were dominated by reading activities and children's programs to a great extent, which both users and non-users are not very interested in. Further, most respondents expressed more interest in cultural and leisure events and hands-on activities (especially new technologies related) than traditional library programming. Many lapsed and non-users chose not to attend the library programs for boredom and uselessness. As a result, there is a need for HKPL to adjust its services to stay relevant to the needs and interests of local communities.

Scant studies explored the reasons behind non-users of public library programs, especially in Asia. This research contributes to the literature by analyzing and proposing the characteristics of the current situation of library programs and exploring the possible reasons behind the low participation in Hong Kong.