Dublin Public Libraries and the Older Population as a User Group: Meeting Their Needs?Kalli Secord, Patrick Thompson, Petrina Vousden, Denis Richard O’Donovan, Margaret Patterson, Kevin Murray.

• Ageing populations• Trebling of 65+ population

by 2046 (Central Statistics Office, 2013)

• Carnegie Trust • Retirees more likely to use

library

Origins of the study

Origins of the study• Public libraries

• History in Ireland • The public library’s mission

• Public libraries and older users • Older people and technology use• Public library as space• Social engagement

• TILDA (The Irish LongituDinal Study on Ageing)

Research Questions1. What are the policies governing the provision of services to older

users in Irish public libraries?

2. Are there tailored programmes for older users in Irish public libraries?

3. What library services are perceived and needed by older users? a. To what extent does technology affect older users’ experience of the library?

Surveys• Addressed Research Questions #1 and #2

• Emailed to every library authority in Ireland

• Fast and efficient

• Discover which services were being provided for older users throughout the country

• Compare and contrast with Dublin City public libraries

Interviews• Addressed Research Question #3 and 3a

• Librarians - how do the libraries serve their older users - what do they notice about their older users

• Library users - which services were important to them - why do they use the library

• Non-users - why don’t they use the library - what kind of services could entice them

• Semi-structured - free-flowing responses, deeper insight

Recruitment Process• Vulnerable group

• Identities must be kept anonymous

• Consent and health

• Help from librarians and instructors

Research Questions Answered by Surveys

1.What are the policies governing the provision of services to older users in Irish public libraries?

2.Are there tailored programmes for older users in Irish public libraries?

70% response rate or 21 out of 30 library authorities (including Mallow, Dun Laoghaire and South Dublin).

Policy for older adults

Access issues• 11 library

authorities have access issues

• 8 library authorities had no access issues

• Access issues vary across the counties

• Average number of access issues is 2

Research Question Answered by Interviews

3. What library services are perceived and needed by older users?a) To what extent does technology

affect older users’ experience of the library?

Librarian Interview Findings• 7 librarians interviewed from 5 different libraries in Dublin

• All librarians recognized the important role public libraries play in being a place of social activity for older people

• Many librarians said that older people prefer to deal with them than use self-service machines

• The majority of the librarians expressed a belief that public libraries can and do play a role in mental and physical health promotion

Librarian Interview Findings• Most librarians also noted that older people are willing and able to

be vocal about what services and programs they want and need from the library

• Older people are a more diverse group than people realize

• “You know you have young-old, medium-old and old-old. And I think the WHO has defined old-old as like 85+, so if we’re starting an age friendly service at 55+ there’s 30 years there. Whereas there’s no way you’d push the same service from a nought to 30 year old person. So why should we be plying the same service for 55 to 85. We need to get more nuanced in our service.” (F, C07)

Librarian Interview Findings• All librarians noted technology as being a concern for older people.

Some are tech savvy while others are tech illiterate but the majority agree that more classes should be offered to this group

• Many librarians noted that older people have a preference to interact with the librarians whether self-service machines are accessible for use or not

• No older people specific training is offered but a general customer service and accessibility training is all that is necessary as noted by many librarians

• Several of the librarians noted a lack of statistics on the age profile of their patrons

User Interview Findings• 14 users were interviewed across 4 libraries and one museum (The

Maritime Museum).

• 5 users interviewed stated Library Technology causes them issues.

• 3 users stated that they go directly to the librarian rather than using the machines.

• 7 users had undertaken an IT course. However only one of these users attended a course in a library. 2 users expressed a wish for more training in IT for older people.

Older users and social aspects of libraries

• 12 users either stated they did not want a separate area for those aged 65+ or could not answer. The major reason that was cited for being against this idea was a need for an “inter-generational mix” (A10 Female).

• Ten participants were members of one or more groups that meet at the library. 3 users were members of the University Of The 3rd Age, 3 were in a knitting group and 4 users were in a book group. Users seem to time their visits to the library around their library group meetings.

• One user (A07 Female) described her membership of a book club as “much a social club as anything else”.

• 4 self-identified non-library users sourced and interviewed.

• Participants all actually indirect users of libraries.

• Library as information dissemination point, rather than/as well as point of information access.

• Participants all past users; “ageing out” of membership?

Non-library User Interview Findings

Non-library User Interview Findings

• Factors discouraging the loaning of books: health issues, repeated fines, alternative means of accessing reading material.

• Awareness of public libraries’ role in fostering computer literacy.

Limitations

• Survey: National picture is still incomplete

• Dublin: Information vacuum on specific age profile of current library members

• Sample size: The number of “non-users” interviewed too small to draw conclusions

• All library users recruited by librarians

Key Findings• Nationally almost one in four library authorities have no policy for

older adults.

• One of the four Dublin library authorities has a clear policy for this group

• Age profiles unknown

“We’re trying to keep books away from the bottom shelves. Like large print books, you know have nothing on the bottom shelves. Might just have a few books on display but then they’re not having to bend down all the time trying to get them. They’re trying to make the bottom shelf empty and just available for display, to lessen the amount of time people have to bend over.” C06- Librarian-Male

Key Findings

The social aspect of using a public library is an integral part of use of the service; technology is less important.

• While librarians operate with no definitive figures on their members’ age profiles and under limitations of space and infrastructure, they feel that the library is a vital social resource for users over 65.

• Most librarians believe the library could and in some instances already does play an important role in promoting healthy physical and mental ageing in this age group.

Strategy

“Irish society is undergoing considerable change. 2009 saw the highest ever number of births recorded in Ireland in a single year, while the 65 and over age group grew by 14.4% in the five years to 2011. Both these trends are projected to continue and even to accelerate” Department of Environment, Community and Local Government (2013) A Strategy for public libraries 2013-2017. Opportunities for all. The public library as a catalyst for economic social and cultural development.

Looking to the future: Key Conclusions. Ask them• In recognition of the diversity of this group our study will be

recommending that library authorities develop specific activities for older users by conducting needs assessment particularly for developing information literacy classes, the use of technology, as well as improving services regarding mobility/space, opening hours, and social activities.

• Further research should look into opportunities for intergenerational interaction via technology classes, social groups and engaging non-library users.

• National policy?

Thank you!