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ERIC Number: ED316246
Record Type: RIE
Publication Date: 1989-Dec
Pages: 117
Abstractor: N/A
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: N/A
EISSN: N/A
Public Library Services to Older People in Pennsylvania: A Survey.
Ling-nam, Leo Ip
The purpose of this study was to establish a profile of services to older people in Pennsylvania public libraries. A survey was distributed to 50 district library centers and headquarters of the state library and 50 independent public libraries. The response rate was 65%. Major findings of the study were the following: (1) 66.15% of respondents reported having appointed staff members for services to older people; (2) 4.6% documented policy statements concerning library services for older people; (3) 27.7% had initiated projects and programs exclusively for older people; (4) 83.1% had one or more older volunteer workers; (5) 27.7% had received financial support from state and local government for services to older people during the past 10 years; (6) 9.2% had trained librarians for services to older people; and (7) 93.9% provided facilities and equipment specifically for older people. It is suggested that public libraries in Pennsylvania should actively request additional funds from parent institutions for services to older people, provide more on-the-job-training and workshops for librarians who serve the older population, and liaise with community agencies and cosponsor services for older people in local communities. It is also suggested that further research could be focused on rural library services to older people as well as needs assessments of older Pennsylvanians. Copies of the survey questionnaire and correspondence with the Pennsylvania State Library are appended. (38 references) (Author/SD)
Publication Type: Dissertations/Theses - Masters Theses; Reports - Research; Tests/Questionnaires
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Note: Master's Thesis, Indiana University of Pennsylvania.