SR-850-008-01 (2)
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APR 2 3 1985
RP:DTA:bmc
Councll Meetlng:
Aprll 23, 1985
Santa Monlca, Cal~fornla
TO: Mayor and Clty Counc~l
FROM: Commlsslon on Older Amerlcans
SUBJECT: Llbrary Services for the Senlor Cltlzens
Introduct~on
ThlS report transmlts a recommendatlon of the CornmlSSlon on Older
Amerlcans regardlng a report submitted by Commlssioner Katzman to
the Commisslon on Older Amerlcans deallng wlth llbrary serVlces
for senlor cltizens.
Background
The Commlsslon on Older Amerlcans met in regular seSSlon on March
20, 1985. At this meeting, Comm~SSloner Katzman read to the Com-
IDlsSlon a survey report she had prepared on behalf of the Educa-
t~on Task Force.
D1SCUSSlon was held.
Based on thlS dlScusslon,
the following motlon was made:
CommlsS10ner Anderson moved that
the Cornmisslon on Older Amerlcans accept and support Commlssioner
Katzman's report, and send coples of the report to the Clty Coun-
cll for study.
The motion was seconded by Commlssioner Cardlne,
and carrled unanimously.
Recommendatlon
Staff recommends that the Councll recelve the attached report and
forward lt to the Library Board for reVlew and comment.
PREPARED BY: Donald T. Arnett, Dlrector
Recreation and Parks
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TASK FORCE REPORT ON THE S. M. LIBRARY
Report to the Commission on Older Americans March 20th, 1985.
The Santa Monica Public Library offers a fairly-comprehensive
list of programs and services for Senior Citizens. For those who visit
the Library, there are Film Programs, a well-attended lecture-and-
discussion "Tuesday with Books" program, Information and Referral
Services i.e. health and nutrition programs sponsored by the City and
other agencies, and volunteer opportunities in the community for seniors,
as well as a multiplicity of forms made available (income tax, utility
rebate, Homeowners and Renters assistance forms) to Seniors and other
adults.
In addition to its regular Book and Periodical Sections. the
Library also has a special section for Large Print Books, as well as
Reference books on wills and trusts, Elderhostel catalogs, geneology
research etc. A Bulletin Board informs the community of Senior activities,
Emeritus College classes, as well as cultural events in general. Occa-
sionally, there are also exhibits of special interest to Seniors.
For the blind, partially-sighted, or physically-handicapped,
the Library offers a Braille service providing "talking books," i.e.
equipment and an introductory set of tapes to doctor-certified individuals.
(General Telephone provides a retired serviceman to repair the necessary
equipment.) There is also a reading-machine for the partially-sighted,
i.e. a closed-circuit TV with magnified printing.
For shut-ins. the Library offers a staff-coordinated Service run
by volunteers who determine readers' preferences, find and check out the
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TASK FORCE REPORT
P. 2
books desired, deliver them to the homeboundf and spend time discussing
the books. This service is provided primarily to the homebound, since
Santa Monica and St. John's Hospitals have their own patient-libraries,
and a certain number of rest homes simply don't want to be bothered.
Films and Videosf however, are provided to Rest Homes on request, as
is a limited shut-in service.
On the basis of information received from 8 libraries in the
area (out of 15 who received a form-letter), I would like to suggest
that the Santa Monica Library look into the possibility of extending its
service to Seniors in the following areaSI
1. Expand its service to Rest Homes to include Book Talks and
Story-Telling to Retirement and Convalescent Homes, as the Pasadena Lib-
rary reportedly does.
2. Participate in the California Literacy Campaign for Adults
(including but not limited to 3enior Citizens), as the Libraries do in
Downey, Monterey Park, and Los Angeles.
J. Initiate a training program for Senior Citizens to become
Reading Tutors at Senior Citizen Residences (a 1a the L.A. Library).
4. Make arrangements with convalescent homes for routing
several hundred Large Print books to them for a )-month period (a 18
the Long Beach Library).
5. In cooperation with the Recreation & Parks Department,
open a Senior Adult Reading Room in each park, with best-sellers and
current periodicals for check-out, as per the Beverly Hills Library.
6. Include photo-copy service for shut-ins, as per the Gardena
Library.
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TASK FORCE REPORT
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7. Give book reviews and maintain book-collections at
Senior Centers, as the Long Beach Library does.
8. Form a Minority Service Task Force Committee, with an
idea to examining how well it is meeting the needs of its minority
adults (including, but not limited to, its Senior Citizens)
something the Long Beach Library has just started.
These suggestions are in no way criticisms of the Santa
Monica Public Library which seems to be offering quality services to
the co~~unity. (As a matter of fact, Glendale Librarian Jack Ramsey
noted in his reponse to the questionnaire I mille have a Bookmobile
that, among other stopsr services Retirement homes, Hospitals etc.
Otherwise, Sflnta .!onica" probably does more than Glendale in serving
older Americans.") However, as a community grows, its needs change,
and only if it explores new ways to meet the new needs of a community-
in-transition does it remain strong and vital. The same is true for
each and every agency within a City. In this respect, the Santa
Monica Library, under the capable management of its Librarian Carol
Aronoff. will undoubtedly want to consider the possibility of incor-
porating some of the suggested services, so as to continue to playa
vital role in the cultural life of Santa Monica.
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Respectfully submitted,
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Eleanor Katzman
Commission on Older fimeicans
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