Wednesday, January 21, 2009

Online Reading Club for Adults

As the Office of Commonwealth Libraries offers Evanced to public libraries across the state, I thought it might be helpful to invite any of you who used Evanced for an adult summer reading club or other programs to comment about your successes and suggestions for others who will be using Evanced for the first time.

The software is tailorable to each libraries specific reading program (not just Summer Reading or for children).

Pennsylvania on Aging

The Pennsylvania State Plan on Aging 2008-2012 has been posted electronically on the PA Department of Aging's website. Each library will also be receiving a copy through District Services.

Also of interest is the Pennsylvania 2020 Vision Report. This report was presented at the 2007 PaLA Conference by Secretary of Aging Nora Dowd Eisenhower.

International Film Festival on Aging

The International Film Festival on Aging will be coming to San Francisco Bay Area this February.

In their words: The International Film Festival on Aging is a celebration of the unique joys, challenges and opportunities of our later years, when our experience and wisdom are finally equal to our passion for life. Through artistic expression, we showcase the singular experience of becoming a true Elder.

Very cool concept which Tim Salony at the Blair County Library System discovered! How could this model be used in a local setting? Maybe YouTube and a flip video could do the trick?

Innovative Education and Training

If you have heard about Web 2.0 and blogs and wikis and the numerous Web 2.0 tools, but haven't really used these online tools or decided how they may assist you in your library work, check out: Baker’s Dozen: Learning 2.0 Arizona.

This program was created by the State Library of Arizona to encourage library staff in Arizona to experiment and learn about the new and emerging technologies and how information is used and created on the Internet today. Baker’s Dozen is designed to be fun, interactive and to stimulate learning.

Stay tuned for more exciting learning in the new year with 23 Things coming soon to our neighborhood!

Books-to-Go @ the Springdale Library

Congratulations to Janet Tyree and the Springdale Free Public Library which was recently highlighted in The Valley News Dispatch for the new service, Books-to-Go, to deliver books and other library materials to those who are unable to pick them up at the library.

Friday, January 16, 2009

10 Reasons to Visit IRS.gov

As tax season is upon us I wanted to share this link which was emailed to me today: 10 Reasons to Visit IRS.gov. Good for tax filers of all ages!

Wednesday, January 14, 2009

Earned Income Tax Credit

Our local IRS office shared this recent update regarding the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC):
  • One in four eligible taxpayers fail to claim their EITC. Are you one of them?
  • Get free help to determine your eligibility — use the EITC Assistant on IRS.gov, visit a volunteer site or IRS Taxpayer Assistance Center, or call 800-829-1040.
  • Life’s a little easier with EITC.
  • If your financial, marital or parental status changed this year, see if you qualify.
According to AARP's Grandparents Tax Tips this is one of three tax credits for those raising children including grandparents.

Medicare Resources

Here are some links shared by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services:

January is National Mentoring Month

Our community partners at the Mentoring Partnership of SW PA shared this update about National Mentoring Month. Thought this might be of interest especially for patrons looking for volunteer opportunities:

There are almost 1000 young people on a waiting list for a mentor. We need volunteers who will spend time with a young person.

SHARE WHAT YOU KNOW!
Kids ages 6-18 are waiting to meet you and learn with you.
  • Not sure if you have enough time.....it takes just 4 hrs./month-more if you’d like!
  • Not sure you’d know what to do.....we’ll teach you!
  • Not sure where to find the right program....we know them and can help you pick the one that is a perfect fit.
JOIN US FOR THANK YOUR MENTOR DAY
Thursday, January 22, 2009
11:00 a.m.—1:00 p.m.
One Oxford Centre (301 Grant Street, Pittsburgh)

Meet local program representatives and learn how you can help
The Mentoring Partnership of Southwestern PA helps our community by:
  • Raising awareness about mentoring
  • Recruiting mentoring volunteers
  • Training mentors
  • Providing Technical assistance for new and existing programs
  • Hosting networking & educational opportunities for staff
www.mentoringpittsburgh.org
412-281-2535

Monday, January 12, 2009

Put Your Best Foot Forward | THANK YOU

A BIG thank you to all of you who participated in Put Your Best Foot Forward 2008! Over 4,200 pairs of socks were collected and distributed this holiday season (a record breaking year)! This year 44 boxes went out into libraries.

In partnership with local schools Robinson Township Library collected 3 boxes of socks and was featured in a photo with Steelers kicker, Jeff Reed. Other participating ACLA partners included OASIS and the Homeless Children’s Education Fund. Thought you would enjoy the highlight below which RSVP is featuring on their website:

THANKS TO ALL WHO “PUT YOUR BEST FOOT FORWARD”

Throughout the fall, RSVP paired up with the Allegheny County Library Association to collect more than 4,200 pairs of socks for individuals served by homeless shelters and other non-profit organizations.

With the arrival of cold weather, these children and adults truly are in need of new warm socks. The people of Western Pennsylvania are generous and care about their neighbors, so I’m very grateful to each and every person and organization who stepped up for this very good cause.

Check out the official Web site of the Pittsburgh Steelers for more!
Jeff Reed, Honorary Chairman, “Put Your Best Foot Forward” Campaign

Thursday, January 8, 2009

Hakia Can Help

Hakia can help patrons search quality website peer reviewed by librarians. The simple interface is easy and the results appear without ads or priority given to sponsored links.

Ageless Art of Harold Garde

More on the arts today. Growing Bolder featured this video 'Ageless Art' of octogenarian painter Harold Garde whose work is currently exhibited at the Museum of Florida Art.

OASIS Inspiration

In a meeting today at our Pittsburgh OASIS I was inspired by the accomplishments of our local OASIS as well as the OASIS Institute. If you haven't discovered an OASIS near you, it will be well worth your time to check out their innovations touching lives daily:

Active Living Everyday
Active Generations
Intergenerational Tutoring
OASIS Connections: New (Computer) Skills for the Next Step

Community organizations like OASIS and other lifelong learning programs provide an invaluable resource to the older adult population and a potential for synergistic partnerships with local libraries!

ACLA has enjoyed connecting with OASIS on programs like the OASIS Active Living Everyday, PALS/ACLA Book Club, ACLA Conversation Salon, and our traveling genre series featuring expert library staff. We have also had collaborative author events, continuing education opportunities, and other community wide events.

Wednesday, January 7, 2009

New Ways to Share Stories

An innovative program in storytelling, Remember When: Memories of Ipswich, from the Ipswich Library. Thanks to Helene Power's LibraryBytes blog where I discovered this program.

Friday, January 2, 2009

ZoomWare

Public Libraries included ZoomWare in its new products news. Zoomware features include magnification as well as color, pointer, and cursor enhancements. The product is available for purchase via download and/or shipment.

Creative Aging

Looking for research and resources on why cultural programs are vital to older adults? Check out the National Center for Creative Aging's website for what the research says, current articles and more!

One article they've noted is from the Washington Post, March 11, 2008: Studies Suggest There's An Art to Getting Older, Creative Activity May Have Health Benefits. This is a must read for libraries. It will both support and encourage your programming efforts. How are libraries already supporting creative aging? What new ideas can we get from these programs?

There are many programs to learn from out there for active older adults as well as the frail elderly:
+ Arts for the Aging
+ Center for Creative Aging
+ Center on Aging, Health & Humanities
+ Creative Aging Cincinnati
+ Creative Aging Mid-South
+ Minnesota Creative Artists and Aging Network
+ Northwest Center for Creative Aging
+ Westchester Center for Creative Aging