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Looks at refurbishment services which can increase the life expectancy of robots. The services range from a thorough inspection and cleaning to a complete factory‐certified mechanical reconditioning program. At the same time robots can be upgraded to take advantage of current technological advancements such as new software equipment, accessories and expanded memories. Describes an exchange service where worn robots are immediately replaced by reconditioned units which saves money and minimizes production line disruption. Concludes that refurbishing is an increasingly successful business area that can also offer opportunities for manufacturing companies by either exchanging or buying previously owned robots.

The number of years a person has lived is a poor indicator of their self‐perceptions, attitudes and behaviours. For these reasons, gerontologists have looked to alternative measures of age, including self‐perceived or subjective age. While American researchers have built up a body of knowledge pertaining to self‐perceived age for more than half a century, little is known about the concept in the UK. This paper presents the findings of an empirical study into the self‐perceived age of a group of UK citizens (n = 356) aged 50‐79 (mean age 60.2 years). Using the cognitive age scale, respondents were asked how old they perceived themselves to be on the dimensions of feel, look, act and interests. Overall, respondents indicated a self‐perceived age of more than 10 years younger than their chronological age. These results suggest that the phenomenon is at least as extensive as in the US, where it is frequently argued that youth is valued over age. Policy and practice implications are discussed.

The importance of libraries as centers for the distribution of material dealing with the concerns of the elderly was highlighted recently in an open letter to state library associations from Bessie B. Moore, vice‐chairperson of the National Commission of Libraries and Information Science (NCLIS). She wrote:

The media today remain focused on capturing the “youth market”, despite the population changes which suggest that older rather than younger consumers are becoming demographically and economically more attractive. Advertisers in particular are guilty of portraying older consumers in stereotypical ways, or else ignore them, resulting in offence and alienation within the 50‐plus market. This paper examines the reasons why the over‐50s are such an important market; discusses why advertisers and marketers are so reluctant to target older consumers and concludes by recommending how advertisers and marketers might better serve this market, for both economic and ethical reasons.