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

Assisting you in all your tech demands.

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More Services from BPL's SOA

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. Books-to-Go Application

+Bridging the Gap:  Intergenerational Debate at BPL
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.

For more information on Bridging the Gap, please contact Berena Hughes at 718-236-1760 ext. 51143 or 929-466-1158 or email bhughes@bklynlibrary.org.

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

 

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

Creative Aging: Paint Me a Picture

Mon, Mar 17 11:00am
Dyker Library, Auditorium

arts and crafts creative aging

Creative Aging: Unleash Your Movement at Macon Library

Mon, Mar 17 11:00am
Macon, Large Auditorium

creative aging health and wellness yoga and meditation

Unleash Your Movement is a 10-week program designed to energize your body, spark connection, and deepen your understanding of movement through a blend of partner dancing, yoga, and somatic practices. Each 90-minute class…

Creative Aging: Spring Into Wellness

Tue, Mar 18 11:00am
Virtual

creative aging health and wellness yoga and meditation

Spring Into Wellness – a 10-week virtual series to launch into the Spring Season with Ease.

Adult Coloring

Tue, Mar 18 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!

Tue, Mar 18 3:30pm
Borough Park Library

arts and crafts conversations creative aging

Looking for a space to make art, 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.

Learn, share, and socialize.

 

(…

Adult Coloring

Wed, Mar 19 1:00pm
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.

Teens are also welcome!

Mandalas and Meditation

Thu, Mar 20 11:00am
Ulmer Park, Meeting Room

creative aging music positive aging

The Ways of Watercolor with Rhea Sarah Kirstein

Thu, Mar 20 2:30pm
Park Slope, Auditorium

arts and crafts creative aging humanities and art

Discover what makes watercolor the exciting and much-loved medium it is. In a relaxed and supportive setting, learn about color and composition. Experiment with a variety of techniques to produce various effects.

The Ways of Watercolor with Rhea Sarah Kirstein is a four part studio art series.…

Flatlands Presents Chair Zumba For Seniors

Fri, Mar 21 12:30pm
Flatlands Library

creative aging dance fitness and classes fitness

Attend Chair Zumba at home via zoom or in person!

Register to receive the Zoom link or come to the Flatlands Library, 2065 Flatbush Avenue, to attend the virtual Chair Zumba program with your fellow community members.

Chair Zumba for Seniors is a 30 minute, seated, gentle…

Borough Park Presents Chair Zumba For Seniors

Fri, Mar 21 12:30pm
Borough Park Library, Children's Room

creative aging dance fitness and classes fitness

Attend Chair Zumba at home via zoom or in person!

Register to receive the Zoom link or come to Borough Park Library to attend the virtual Chair Zumba program with your fellow community members.

Chair Zumba for Seniors is a 30 minute, seated, gentle aerobics/physical therapy…

Technology for All 

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

  • 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 SCalbi@bklynlibrary.org 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.

For more information on Bridging the Gap, please contact Berena Hughes at 929-466-1158 or email bhughes@bklynlibrary.org.

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.