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!

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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.

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Creative Aging
Creative Aging

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

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Technology For All
Technology For All: Group Classes

Assisting you in all your tech demands.

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More Highlights from BPL's Services for Older Adults
Books-to-Go

We supply reading and viewing materials to older adults in nursing homes, senior centers, and senior residence buildings. Materials include books in English and other languages (some in large print), DVDs, and audiobooks.  Book club sets are available too. Books-to-Go Application

Technology For All: Individual Assistance

Helps older adults with tech needs, such as:  iPhone & Android (Smartphones); Computer Support (Google Suite, Microsoft365, Outlook, Gmail); Virtual Programs (Zoom, Microsoft Team); Social Media (Youtube, Instagram, Facebook); Microsoft & Mac iOS Software. 

Email SCalbi@bklynlibrary.org or call 718-938-2525 for more information.  English and Spanish available.

"Technology For All" is generously supported by the New York Foundation for Eldercare.

Sharing Reflections

Hosted by Senior Assistants at Libraries, Nursing Homes, Senior Centers, Hospitals, and Rehabilitation Facilities, this program offers patrons the chance to reminisce about things in life that have influenced who they have become today. It’s a great opportunity to travel back in time, talk about journey and destination, meet new people, hear about their experiences, and connect with community members. Laughter and fun are integral ingredients of our program. This program is offered in English, Spanish, Russian, and Chinese.  For more information, please contact Services for Older Adults' staff at jvigo@bklynlibrary.org or 718-230-2442.

Our Streets, Our Stories (OSOS)

OSOS is an ongoing oral history project exploring Brooklyn from the words of its residents. Recorded virtual interviews are an option for homebound patrons.  To participate, please contact Services for Older Adults' staff at BHughes@bklynlibrary.org or 718-236-1760.

Senior Debate and Intergenerational Debate

To learn more about senior debate and intergenerational debate [teens and older adults] at Brooklyn Public Library, please contact Services for Older Adults' staff at bhughes@bklynlibrary.org or 718-236-1760.

Resources for Older Adults and their Caregivers

Please check here for Information for Older Adults and their Caregivers

Upcoming Events

Creative Aging: Cut, Layer, Transform - Exploring Paper Through Art & Storytelling

Tue, Jul 21 1:00pm
Ulmer Park, Meeting Room

arts and crafts creative aging

Join us for a 9-week creative workshop series exploring paper cutting, collage, and mixed-media art. Participants will learn techniques for transforming paper into expressive artworks while exploring symbolism, composition, storytelling, and cultural traditions from around the world.
 …

Adult Coloring

Tue, Jul 21 2:00pm
Marcy, Meeting Room

arts and crafts creative aging

Do you enjoy coloring?  Join us on Tuesdays from 2:00 - 3:00 pm for this known stress reliever.  

Weekly Craft Circle at Amnon's Pizza!

Tue, Jul 21 3:30pm
Amnon's Kosher Pizza

all ages arts and crafts conversations

Looking for a space to knit or crochet, exchange skills, and meet fellow crafters? Join us! Get to know fellow crafters at Borough Park Library's weekly craft circle! Bring your crocheting, knitting, embroidery, or whatever else you're working on. While the library is closed for renovations we…

Candle Making Workshop

Tue, Jul 21 6:00pm
Kings Bay Library

arts and crafts creative aging humanities and art

REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED


Join us at Kings Bay library for a candle-making workshop! Materials will be provided!

Adult Puzzling Hour

Wed, Jul 22 12:00pm
Mill Basin Library

creative aging game on summer reading

Drop in for socializing and jigsaw puzzle fun! Come try out a variety of puzzles with other puzzle enthusiasts. 

No registration required, just drop in. We provide the puzzles, while you partake in a relaxing way to exercise your mind.

 

Mindful Coloring for Adults and Teens

Wed, Jul 22 1:00pm
Brooklyn Heights Library, Craft Room

arts and crafts creative aging

Please join us at our adult coloring session! No registration required, just drop in. We provide the supplies while you partake in a relaxing way to exercise your mind.

Teens are also welcome!

Knight Shift Community Chess Club

Wed, Jul 22 1:00pm
Macon, Dionne Mack-Harvin Heritage Center

AAHC adult learning all ages

Knight Shift Summer Community Chess Club! 

National Chess Master James Black Jr. brings his expertise to the Macon Library community building a welcoming space where community members of all ages can develop confidence, discipline, strategic thinking, and decision making through chess…

Good Life/Good Death Café

Wed, Jul 22 2:00pm
Park Slope Library

creative aging health and wellness positive aging

A free gathering to talk about aging, caregiving, and end of life with more peace and less fear.


Most of us were never taught how to talk about death, plan for it, or support the people we love through it. The Good Death / Good Life Café is a free 90‑minute community gathering where we…

Creative Aging: For Once In My Life with Ari Satok

Wed, Jul 22 2:30pm
Central Library

creative aging creative writing Virtual Programming

In this 9-week workshop, we focus each week on a different theme, central to our lived experience of the world. Instructor Ari Satok starts each class by bringing in a piece of writing for us to read and discuss. Participants are then assigned a prompt to write on, focused on…

Creative Aging: Treasured Jewels with Rhonda Weppler

Thu, Jul 23 12:00pm
Homecrest, Meeting Room

creative aging jewelry making

Join artist Rhonda Weppler for this Creative Aging series of 9 sessions of mixed jewelry making techniques including layering and colorizing brass components, dying and painting wood beads, making glass dangle charms, and more! A final culminating event will share and celebrate your creations.…

To donate to Services for Older Adults, click here:  https://bklynlib.org/support-soa

 

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.