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NC Collaboration designated National Center of Excellence
May 22, 2008 - The North Carolina Lifelong Access Libraries Collaboration (NCCoLLE) has been designated a Center of Excellence and Innovation in the Lifelong Access Libraries Initiative of Libraries for the Future (LFF).
"The Collaboration is forming the basis for the ongoing development of planning, policies and activities aimed at enhancing the civic engagement of older adults in the state of North Carolina," said Diantha Dow Schull, consulting director, Lifelong Access Libraries Initiative, LFF. Schull noted that the members of the Collaboration "are seeking ways in which the State's public libraries can develop new resources, services and approaches that will allow the growing numbers of baby boomers who are reaching retirement age to continue to be vital contributors locally, nationally and globally."
Founding members of the North Carolina Lifelong Access Libraries Collaboration include the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill's School of Information and Library Science, the UNC Institute on Aging, the North Carolina Division of Aging and Adult Services and the State Library of North Carolina. Each of the members has been involved in the Lifelong Access Libraries Leadership Training Institutes and has made changes in their policies and planning to support the civic engagement and lifelong learning needs of an aging population.
Representatives of Seniors Centers, NC Cooperative Extension Centers as well as libraries were in attendance at the first organizational meeting on May 6.
"The aging population represents both a great challenge and a great opportunity for North Carolina", said SILS Professor Joanne Gard Marshall who has spearheaded the development of NCCoLLE. "We need to find ways that all of our cultural institutions can support the continuing contribution of our most experienced citizens -- everyone will benefit from the results."
NCCoLLE joins four other National Centers of Excellence, including the Northeast Massachuset ts Regional Library System, the Allegheny County (PA) Library Association, the New Haven (CT) Free Public Library and the Phoenix (AZ) Public Library.
SILS and the Institute on Aging will once again co-sponsor the Lifelong Access Libraries Leadership Training Institute this summer. The Institute selects Fellows from public libraries across the nation on a competitive basis who have a demonstrated interest in working with active older adults. According to this year's program, The 2008 Institute will focus primarily on three areas:
- Concepts and research underlying new approaches to working with midlife and older adults
- Promising practices in library services, including the Lifelong Access framework for new older adult services
- Leadership and skills in community librarianship
About the Lifelong Access Libraries Initiative
Lifelong Access Libraries is a national initiative of Libraries for the Future aimed at causing fundamental change in how public libraries define, create, and deliver their services to active older adults, a segment of the population that is growing rapidly across the nation. Lifelong Access Libraries is organized around three goals: creating a distinct specialty within adult services, focusing on active, engaged older adults; establishing Lifelong Access in demonstration regions as a practical framework for library services; promoting public and private investment in libraries as centers for productive aging.
About Libraries for the Future
Libraries for the Future is a national nonprofit organization that supports innovation and investment in America’s libraries. Through our cutting-edge programs, research, regrants, and trainings, LFF helps local libraries address the ever-changing needs of their communities.