Services at the Detroit Public Library

I visited the Detroit Public Library to learn about services and programs the library system offers for older adults and people with disabilities. I learned that, as my previous perusal of their website indicated, most such services are offered through the Frederick Douglass Branch for Specialized Services, which also houses the Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped.

The Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped provides audio, large print books, and other formats to patrons who have difficulty using traditional print media. The librarian there offers programs such as book clubs, programs about the arts, and a sensory garden program that invites patrons to experience plant life through their other senses such as touch and smell.

I also spoke with the librarian in charge of the Library on Wheels, the bookmobile service also headquartered at the Douglass branch. The bookmobile delivers books and other media to senior living apartments and personal residences for patrons who might have difficulty going to the library on their own. They also sometimes set up at rec centers, community organizations and events promoting literacy. For these events, they include a selection of various reading levels to better serve patrons with cognitive disabilities.

Aside from the special services offered through the Douglass branch, free technology courses offered by the Technology, Literacy and Career (TLC) Center at the main branch are, though not targeted toward a specific age group, well attended by older adults. Similar technology courses are offered at other branches in the library system as well.

Local library and community services for older adults

Detroit Public Library

Most of the Detroit Public Library’s services for older adults are offered through the Frederick Douglass Branch for Specialized Services. This branch includes the Detroit Subregional Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped, offering “Books on Tape, Digital Books, Large Print books, Descriptive Videos, regular print books about disabilities, and reference sources on the ADA” (“Detroit Subregional Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped,” n.d.) This collection, though it does not specifically target the older population, is likely to serve a large population of older people who acquired disabilities later in life.

The Douglass Branch also hosts the AARP Tax-Aide Program, which offers tax preparation assistance to “Taxpayers with low and moderate income, with special attention to those age 60 and older” (“Frederick Douglass Branch for Specialized Services,” n.d.). DPL’s bookmobile service, Library on Wheels, also operates out of the Douglass Branch, bringing library services to schools and senior centers (“Library on Wheels,” n.d.).

Wayne State University Library System

A review of the WSULS website turned up little information pertaining to services specifically for older adults (“University Libraries,” n.d.). Some links to senior health information are provided on the Community Health Information Services website, which is a service of the Shiffman Medical Library (“Internet Health Resources,” n.d.).

Community organizations

An internet search for local organizations turned up several senior centers and agencies. The following is not an exhaustive list, but a sampling of what is available.

The Detroit Area Agency on Aging provides advocacy support; disseminates information, including a newsletter and radio show; offers programs for seniors, including legal and health information; sponsors Meals on Wheels; and performs and disseminates research (“Detroit Area Agency on Aging,” n.d.).

The City of Detroit Senior Citizens Department advocates for Detroit senior citizens in city legislation and policy, and provides information assistance to seniors seeking services (“Senior Citizens Department,” n.d.).

St. Patrick Senior Center provides a health care clinic, classes and activities for senior citizens. (“St. Patrick Senior Center,” n.d.).

The Luella Hannan Memorial Foundation offers housing, classes and services for senior citizens and also promotes volunteerism and community involvement for seniors (“Luella Hannan Memorial Foundation,” n.d.).

Community Partnerships

Libraries can partner with community and advocacy organizations, especially those serving a marginalized group with special needs, to great benefit. The library and its programs can benefit from the expertise of organizations specializing in certain sectors of the population, which can result in better tailored services for patrons, and organizations can benefit from the physical space, resources, and community accessibility of the library.

References

Detroit Area Agency on Aging. (n.d.). Retrieved February 12, 2012, from http://www.daaa1a.org/DAAA/

Detroit Subregional Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped. (n.d.). Detroit Public Library. Retrieved February 12, 2012, from http://www.detroit.lib.mi.us/specialservice/detroit-subregional-library-blind-and-physically-handicapped-lbph

Frederick Douglass Branch for Specialized Services. (n.d.). Detroit Public Library. Retrieved February 12, 2012, from http://www.detroitpubliclibrary.org/branch/douglass

Internet Health Resources. (n.d.). Community Health Information Services. Retrieved February 12, 2012, from http://www.lib.wayne.edu/sites/chis/ihr.php

Library on Wheels. (n.d.). Detroit Public Library. Retrieved February 12, 2012, from http://www.detroitpubliclibrary.org/specialservice/library-wheels-low

Luella Hannan Memorial Foundation. (n.d.). The Luella Hannan Memorial Foundation. Retrieved February 12, 2012, from http://www.hannan.org/

Senior Citizens Department. (n.d.).City of Detroit. Retrieved February 12, 2012, from http://www.detroitmi.gov/DepartmentsandAgencies/SeniorCitizensDepartment.aspx

St. Patrick Senior Center. (n.d.).St. Patrick Senior Center. Retrieved February 12, 2012, from http://www.stpatseniorcenter.com/about/overview.htm

University Libraries. (n.d.). Wayne State University. Retrieved February 12, 2012, from http://www.lib.wayne.edu/