Services for Older Adults

Services for Older Adults at BPL offers inclusive programming and services tailored to our patrons over the age of 55, including lectures, films, performances and educational programs that reflect the wide interests of today’s older adults.

Programs & Classes
Programs & Classes for Older Adults

For the convenience of our older adults, we offer programming in person or virtually via Facebook Live, Zoom meetings, and streaming from our branch staff!

View all events

Books by Mail
Books by Mail

This fast, convenient service provides books, audiobooks and videos to people who are homebound or have a visual disability.

Learn more

Creative Aging
Creative Aging

Multi-session art workshops for patrons ages 55 and older, led by a professional teaching artist.

Learn more

Technology For All
Technology For All

Assisting you in all your tech demands.

Learn more

 

More Services from BPL's SOA

We supply reading and viewing materials to older adults in nursing homes, senior centers and adult day-care centers. Materials include books in English and other languages (some in large print), DVDs and audiobooks. Books-to-Go Application

Monthly teleconference and online courses for those who are homebound or living in senior residences or nursing homes. Visit dorotusa.org for more information.

OSOS is an ongoing oral history project exploring Brooklyn from the words of its residents.

We reach beyond the Library to visit street fairs, senior residences, nursing homes, hospice care and more. Throughout Brooklyn, we host cultural programs, speakers and presenters at senior sites.

Upcoming Events

Adult Coloring and Puzzles

Tue, Mar 19 2:00pm
Brownsville Library

arts and crafts creative aging

Do you enjoy coloring? What about crossword, sudoku, or word search puzzles? Join us on Tuesdays from 2:00 - 3:00 pm for this known stress reliever.  

Creative Aging: Writing Workshop

Wed, Mar 20 1:30pm
Midwood Library

creative aging creative writing

Interested in creative writing? Join other writers in your community in an open space to work, write and share (if you wish). This is a relaxed and encouraging place for everyone to express themselves.

Creative Aging: Writing Workshop

Wed, Mar 20 1:30pm
Midwood Library

creative aging creative writing

Interested in creative writing? Join other writers in your community in an open space to work, write and share (if you wish). This is a relaxed and encouraging place for everyone to express themselves.

Adult Coloring

Wed, Mar 20 2:00pm
Brooklyn Heights Library, Craft Room

arts and crafts creative aging

Please join us at our adult coloring session! We provide the supplies while you partake in a relaxing way to exercise your mind.

Ulmer Park presents Creative Aging: Chinese Brush Painting & Calligraphy

Thu, Mar 21 10:00am
Ulmer Park, Meeting Room

Artists on Site arts and crafts Chinese

Learn how to paint in the Chinese style. Themes of paintings inspired by nature. Bamboo, birds, flowers, fish, scenery, and other subjects. Learn the basic techniques in Chinese painting and develop your own style. A brief introduction to Chinese characters. 

Weekly Lessons:

Adult Coloring and Puzzles

Tue, Mar 26 2:00pm
Brownsville Library

arts and crafts creative aging

Do you enjoy coloring? What about crossword, sudoku, or word search puzzles? Join us on Tuesdays from 2:00 - 3:00 pm for this known stress reliever.  

Creative Aging: Writing Workshop

Wed, Mar 27 1:30pm
Midwood Library

creative aging creative writing

Interested in creative writing? Join other writers in your community in an open space to work, write and share (if you wish). This is a relaxed and encouraging place for everyone to express themselves.

Creative Aging: Writing Workshop

Wed, Mar 27 1:30pm
Midwood Library

creative aging creative writing

Interested in creative writing? Join other writers in your community in an open space to work, write and share (if you wish). This is a relaxed and encouraging place for everyone to express themselves.

Ulmer Park presents Creative Aging: Chinese Brush Painting & Calligraphy

Thu, Mar 28 10:00am
Ulmer Park, Meeting Room

Artists on Site arts and crafts Chinese

Learn how to paint in the Chinese style. Themes of paintings inspired by nature. Bamboo, birds, flowers, fish, scenery, and other subjects. Learn the basic techniques in Chinese painting and develop your own style. A brief introduction to Chinese characters. 

Weekly Lessons:

Creative Writing Workshop

Thu, Mar 28 6:00pm
Macon, Small Auditorium

creative aging creative writing writing workshop

Join fellow writers and hone your craft with a writing workshop open to all adults in any genre or discipline. Bring your work or start something fresh with exercises and prompts provided. Share your work and take it home for more exploration!

Technology for All 

 Services for Older Adults' new initiative, Technology For All, may assist you in your tech needs, such as:

  • Screen Readers (NVDA, JAWS, Voiceover)
  • Phone & Android (Smartphones)
  • Computer Support (Google Suite, Microsoft365, Outlook, Gmail)
  • Virtual Programs (Zoom, Microsoft Team)
  • Social Media (Youtube, Instagram, Facebook)
  • Microsoft & Mac iOS Software. 

Email [email protected] or call 718-938-2525 for more information. 

Technology for All is generously supported by the New York Community Trust.

 

Bridging the Gap: Intergenerational Debate 

For Teens and Older Adults ready for a fun challenge and a chance to be heard…

Bridging the Gap is a 10-week intergenerational debate program in which elders [ages 55+] and youth [ages 14-19] will learn the art of debating and practice debate skills. There will be four weeks of instruction, two weeks of practice debates, with the last four weeks of the program featuring the debate tournament and leading to a championship round. An awards ceremony and reception will take place on the final day.

Over the course of the series sessions, participants will work in intergenerational pairs learning and practicing the art of debate. From what an argument is to crafting and developing a persuasive and impactful argument, Bridging the Gap will teach youth and older adults to develop and hone their research and public speaking skills. A podcast will be produced at the end of the series capturing the experiences, observations, and insights of the participants.

Youth and older adults have some of the same challenges, including social stereotyping and political underrepresentation. Bridging the Gap will provide a safe library space for generations to learn about one another while listening to one another. It’s where the fresh, creative energy from the young will pair with the useful, tested experience of older adults.

Bridging the Gap at Brooklyn Public Library, Winter 2024: Tuesdays, 4:30-6:30pm, January 16 - March 19, Virtually on Zoom.

For more information on Bridging the Gap, please contact Berena Hughes at 718-236-1760 ext. 51143 or 929-466-1158 or email [email protected].

Bridging the Gap: Intergenerational Debate at BPL brought to you in partnership with and made possible by a grant from The Eisner Foundation

 

Services for Older Adults is partially funded by Coordinated Outreach Library Services aid from the NYS Education Department, administered by the State Library’s Division of Library Development. All programs are sponsored by BPL’s Department of Outreach Services, which was established with the generous support of The Charles H. Revson Foundation.