One Library's Mission to Provide Its Senior Community with Social Engagement and Emotional Connectedness

Public libraries are all about creating an uplifting environment of connection and support. When COVID struck in 2020, and our traditional ways of engaging with patrons became unsafe, it was nearly impossible for the North Canton (Ohio) Public Library (NCPL) to maintain those important relationships with older adults in our community. The city of North Canton did not have a dedicated senior center, and other senior programming opportunities had been cut due to the pandemic. As a result, senior residents were feeling isolated. In this webinar, you’ll learn how NCPL partnered with the city to reduce social isolation and increase connectedness for this vulnerable population. Almost three years later, the library’s senior programs continue to thrive and make a real impact, with attendees noting that the programs “make them look forward to each day now.” Join us to learn how strategic partnerships can help your outreach initiatives make an impact too!

Learning Outcomes

At the conclusion of this webinar, participants will be able to:

• Identify potential partnerships within their own communities that could lend themselves to similar outreach opportunities;
• Understand the emotional and social needs of older adults (ages 55+), especially in a post-COVID society; and
• Build a list of local potential partner agencies with whom their libraries could connect for similar programming opportunities for older adults. 

Who Should Attend

This webinar is intended for library directors and administrators, library managers who oversee programming for adults or outreach services, and library staff who facilitate programming for adults or outreach services.

Panelists

Andrea Legg (she/her) has been honored to work in public libraries since 2007. She’s always learning and trying to grow, but she's done the most work with collection analysis, alternative funding strategies, strategic planning, marketing, and development of staff over the last sixteen years. She is currently the director at the North Canton Public Library in northeast Ohio.

Christina Weyrick (she/her) is an optimistic visionary and experienced non-profit professional specializing in strategic outreach, marketing, development, team building, and event execution. Much of her recent experience is centered around building collaborative partnerships, board/committee development, organizational structure and communication, branding, copywriting, and increasing outreach. Christina also uses her event management and advocacy background extensively in her current role as community relations manager at the North Canton Public Library. She has a strong history in leading volunteer programs, fostering relationships, and building strong teams.

Amber Ollis’ (she/her) work and education have taken her around the world (literally), but she’s made her home in North Canton and has fully embraced her role as community engagement librarian at the North Canton Public Library—a job that could, on any given day, find her facilitating senior programs, delivering library materials to nursing home residents, connecting new parents with essential resources, and even fostering friendships between humans and hedgehogs. Her diligence and creativity have been essential in the success of the NCPL’s senior program initiatives.

**NOTE**: Access information for this learning event will be sent to all registrants by American Library Association before the start of the event. In order to take this course/attend this webinar you will need to create (or use an existing) ALA account to proceed. It is free to create an account and you do not need to be an ALA member. If you do not wish to create an ALA account please cancel your registration.

CALL Training Partner for this Event: American Library Association