Lifelong Learning and Community Connections for Older Adults

Posted on January 10, 2019 by Katie Auman in Library Blog, Library Programs, Library Services

People who embrace Fort Collins and Larimer County during the latter phase of life are not your stereotypical older adults and retirees. They’re active, engaged, educated, and awesome!

They’re drawn to the region for its beautiful weather, booming arts and culture scene, outdoor recreational activities, distinct restaurants and breweries, and bustling, diverse communities. For today’s Baby Boomers, aging and retirement looks vastly different from what their parents might have experienced.

Jeanne MacKenzie, with Senior Corps/RSVP at Volunteers of America,points out that Baby Boomers actually span a 40-year age difference – from those who are in their 50s and considering the next phase of life to those in their 90s and happily established in retirement.

Poudre River Public Library District’s slate of programs and services aimed at seniors and intergenerational fun offers something for every older adult to enjoy, from lifelong learning to creating social connections to inspiring new passions.

Programs for Seniors

See Full Events Calendar

New Directions: 50 & Better. This *new* series, hosted by Volunteers of America(Northern Colorado) and AARP Colorado, is all about enriching your life. Each month, an interactive, informational program explores different topics related to aging and active living. The first part of the series looks at gearing up for an active retirement.

The New Directions: 50 & Better series is designed as a collaborative program where participants can direct much of the conversation and focus based on their needs and interests. More information about the free program can be found on the Library’s online events calendar or by calling the Answer Center at 970-221-6740. To speak with Volunteers of America about the program, please call Jeanne MacKenzie at 970-472-9630 ext. 21.

Money Matters. The popular and award-winning financial program features a variety of topics,many of which are directly related to older adults like Medicare Planning, Understanding Social Security Choices, Buying or Refinancing a Home, and Budgeting and Saving.

Dementia-Friendly Programs. There’s a lot of joyful living to do even when dementia is part of the journey. The Memory Café and the Lifetime Enrichment series are both designed to give people with dementia (and their care partner) the opportunity to socialize, reminisce, or learn new things in a fun and engaging format. Presented in partnership with Dementia-Friendly Communities of Northern Colorado.

Book Clubs. Read,socialize, and have fun at one of the many book club groups hosted by the Library including the newest group, Book Club for Mortals. This group discusses books related to the end-of-life journey like “Driving Miss Norma”and “The Last Lecture.” There’s nothing somber about Book Club for Mortals, just conversations that will make you think about how you want to spend the next chapter of life. Presented in partnership with the Larimer Advance Care Planning Team.

Programs to #ConnectToCuriosity. Lifelong learning opportunities abound for all ages at the libraries. If you haven’t already had a chance to attend one of these programs, now is a great time: History Comes Alive performances, International Night travel and culture presentations, Great Decisions discussions, Antarctic Lectures, Composer Talks, Kevin Cook’s nature series, and so much more. Pick up a copy of the monthly newsletter and events calendar for full information, sign up for weekly email alerts, or access the Library’s events webpage.

Computer, Technology, and eMedia Classes. Even though our Computer and Technology Classes are open to all ages, they are especially popular with seniors who are either just getting started with a particular device or software program or who are expanding their skills and interests. Classes range from introduction to computers to cybersecurity basics to photo editing with your mobile device. There are also a variety of eMedia classes dedicated to helping you use your smartphone or tablet to access digital library resources like eBooks and eMagazines.

Starting in February 2019, you can take advantage of Old Town Library’s newest tech service: BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) Help Desk.During the scheduled BYOD Help Desk times, tech-savvy volunteers will be on hand to help with your laptop, mobile phone, and tablet. Receive assistance troubleshooting common problems and get answers to questions about viruses and malware, password management, and much more. This is a great option before calling in a technician for repairs.

The BYOD Help Desk will be held on the first and third Wednesdays of every month, from 5:00 – 6:30 p.m. in Study Room A at Old Town Library.

Other Services for Seniors

Assistive Technology & Materials. A variety of assistive technologies are available at Old Town Library and Harmony Library to aid reading and writing including Optical Character Recognition, Non-Visual Desktop Access, Dragon Naturally Speaking software, and much more. Other library resources include books on CD, large-print books, eBooks, and closed-captioned DVDs.

Colorado Talking Book Library. Staff can help you get materials from the Colorado Talking Book Library which serves the blind and physically handicapped with audio, Braille, and large print books.

Homebound Service. If physical limitations due to age, illness, accident, or disability keep you from visiting the library – and you’re a resident of the Poudre River Public Library District – you may be eligible for our homebound delivery service. To learn more, please call Sylvia at 970-416-2588.

In the Community. The Library’s Outreach Department provide a variety of services in the community including their work with Los Ancianos Unidos at Northside Aztlan Community Center.

Library staff can help you find the right information and the right resources for what you need.

Another benefit of the Library for the 50 and older group is serving as a trusted, single point of access for information about community resources and services for aging and active living, whether it’s related to senior housing, health and wellness, retirement, or other important topics.

For the growing population of active and engaged seniors in the area, the Library District is an appealing place for socializing and lifelong learning. Stop by one of the three library locations soon and learn more about the amazing programs and services offered for seniors.

Ring in the New Year with a New Job

Posted on January 3, 2019 by Katie Auman in Job and Career, Library Blog, Library Services

New Year, New You! We hear that phrase at the beginning of every year as people write down New Year’s resolutions. Exercise more, lose weight, spend less time on social media, read more books, eat kale, the list goes on and on.

During this period of self-reflection and resolution-setting, don’t forget to consider your job!

Is 2019 the year that “New Year, New You” includes a new job, a fantastic promotion, or even a transition to a brand new career? The Library is here to help you make sure your job resolution doesn’t get forgotten in a few weeks’ time!

Among the stacks of books about writing resumes and perfecting interview skills are a whole lot of other valuable job and career resources that you might not know about.

Meet with our specialized job and career librarian to get help with your job search and continuing professional development.

Specialized Job and Career Librarian

Poudre River Public Libraries has a specialized job and career development librarian whose primary focus is to support job seekers. You can request an appointment to meet one-on-one with Anne Macdonald to discuss your needs and to learn about library tools and community agencies to help achieve your goals.

She can assist with various aspects of a job search or career change, from research to planning to skills assessments and more.

Skills and Interests Assessments

Assessments are a great way to discover occupations that suit your particular interests and skills. The Library’s Career Cruising digital tool includes four different types of assessments, each providing you with a different piece of the occupation puzzle.

Matchmaker – 39 questions about your likes and dislikes that will produce a list of 40 career suggestions.
My Skills – rate your level of skill in 45 key areas and see how those skills match up with the Matchmaker career suggestions.
Learning Styles Inventory – 20 questions to help you understand how you learn and retain information.
Ability Profiler – understand the relationship between your abilities and career interests by measuring work skills like verbal ability, spatial ability, and more.

The CareerOneStop tool also includes skills and interests assessments and offers an assessment to determine your work values – what you believe is important or desirable in your work and life.

Skills and interest assessments can help identify career paths.

Career Exploration Tools

There are a variety of eResources available to help you learn about and explore different careers, from accountant to zoologist and everything in between.

Career Cruising allows you to search various occupations based on school subjects you were/are interested in, based on a particular industry, or by career cluster. It also includes a section dedicated to military careers and service.

Another great online resource through the Library is CareerOneStop which provides a variety of career profiles and videos along with occupation comparisons so you can see how one career stacks up against another in salary, skill requirements, education levels, and more.

Explore different careers, from accountant to zoologist and everything in between.

Training and Education Workshops

As you examine possible career paths and job requirements, you might notice gaps in your skill set or areas where you would benefit from additional training. The Library District offers a variety of free classes and workshops each month to help build your skills and expand your resume. Classes are available for common computer and technology programs as well as resume writing, interviewing, networking, and more.

There are also online tools available to continue your education and practice new skills.

Learning Express offers career classes and occupation exam prep, college admission test prep, popular software skills classes, and much more.
Lynda.com has a wide variety of training courses and video tutorials covering software and technology skills, business skills, leadership and management strategies, and much more.
JobNow provides practical tool to help you find and get a job, from job listings to resume assistance to live career coaches to assist you.

Fill in gaps in your skills or areas where you would benefit from additional training.

Networking Opportunities

Don’t forget about the value of networking to finding a new job or changing your career. One great local resource is the Northern Colorado Networking Group (NoCoNet). Membership is free and open to the public.

There are also many local professional networking meetups listed online to suit your interests or career specialty. And, of course, the Larimer County Economic & Workforce Development team can assist with networking and job searches.

Don’t forget the value of networking to finding a new job or changing your career.

So will it be a New Year, New Job during 2019?

Reach out to the Library and let us know how we can help!

And, stay in-the-know about job opportunities, career transitions workshops, and much more by signing up for the Library’s monthly Job and Career Development eNewsletter. (You can also choose to receive other eNews based on your interests!)

Invent, Create, and Learn with Free/Shared Resources and Spaces

Posted on December 20, 2018 by Katie Auman in Library Blog, Library Services, Local Happenings

From the Gadgets & Things Collection to Makerspaces to a Tool Lending Library and More!

Poudre River Public Library District embraced the “sharing economy” model long before the phrase officially entered the Oxford English Dictionary in 2015 by providing our community with access to free and shared resources, spaces, and services.

What began with books, newspapers, and reading rooms has evolved to include shared computers and technologies, meeting rooms and collaborative workspace, innovative resources like 3D printers, a Gadgets & Things Collection, and community programs like the Seed Swap and the Repair Cafe.

There’s real value in the public’s ability to access free and shared resources like equipment, tools, spaces, and services rather than having to purchase them themselves. In fact, whether from economic necessity or a new form of community building and creative innovation, the sharing economy shows no signs of slowing down.

The area has many opportunities for families interested in creating, from borrowing a Dash Robot from the Library to building your own bots at local makerspaces.

And, the Library District isn’t the only organization in the area embracing shared resources and spaces. Here are a few of the other places where you and your family can tinker, build, and find your own creative path.

NOCO Tool Lending Library at EcoThrift

Need that one particular tool to finish your DIY project? Or maybe it’s a few tools necessary to keep up the maintenance on your home?

The NOCO Tool Lending Library is a brand new sustainability effort in Fort Collins that includes a warehouse full of tools that members can borrow to complete their own projects at their own locations.

Caitlin Young, the main organizer of the library, says that in addition to loaning tools, the group’s goal is “to educate and empower members to take an active role in the maintenance of their own homes, vehicles, and neighborhoods.” They also are working to “directly reduce Fort Collins greenhouse gas emissions by reducing consumption of goods, providing ‘green’ tools, and diverting waste with maintenance education and a sharing economy.”

The NOCO Tool Lending Library will have a variety of useful tools and equipment.

The NOCO Tool Lending Library will begin accepting members in January 2019 and plans to be operating as a tool library by March. The library is located at EcoThrift in Fort Collins (314 N. Howes St.) thanks to the generosity of EcoThrift owner Stacy Koeckeritz.

For more information about NOCO Tool Lending Library, and to follow along with their progress, visit their Facebook page or call 970-484-4224.

Fort Collins Creator Hub

The 4,000 square-foot space that houses the Fort Collins Creator Hub has nearly everything a maker might need, from laser cutters and 3D printers to an entire shop with lathes, mills, metal working equipment, hand tools, and so much more. So whether you’re a hobbyist, a DIYer, or a weekend warrior, you’ll probably find what you need within.

A FC Creator Hub member uses the laser cutter for his project.

The nonprofit organization currently has about 80 members with room to grow. In fact, the Creator Hub will be expanding its space in 2019.

Steve Undy, president of the board, says that with the expansion they hope to include more co-creator units for people interested in renting a dedicated work space and also add a crafting space.

The volunteer-run organization offers a variety of membership options for individuals, students, families, seniors, veterans, and businesses. There is no age requirement to use the equipment, but young makers must be supervised by an adult. All members must go through new member orientation and safety training.

The Fort Collins Creator Hub also runs classes that are open to the public such as learning to solder, using a vinyl cutter, laser cutting holiday ornaments, and many others. Many of the classes are listed in the Fort Collins Recreator and can also be found on the Creator Hub classes webpage.

The FC Creator Hub includes areas for electronics, 3D printing, wood and metal work, and more.

The Fort Collins Creator Hub is open 24/7 to members. To learn more about the organization, to take a tour of the facility, and/or to become a member, visit the Fort Collins Creator Hub website to see when volunteers are on-hand to help. You can also email to set up an appointment.

The Fort Collins Creator Hub is located at 1304 Duff Dr., Unit 11 (visitor entrance).

Fort Collins Senior Center

Among the many programs and services available at the Fort Collins Senior Center is the tool shop and work area. The Center does provide assigned times to use the space for senior social members (membership is $25/year), for anyone holding a multi-facility pass, or by paying a small drop-in fee based on age. Visit the Senior Center (1200 Raintree Drive) or give them a call (970-221-6644) for more information.

The Senior Center also offers “Open Shop” times for anyone ages 18 years and older. During this time, tools are available for use with jewelry, stained glass, and woodworking, including scroll saws, wood lathes, other wood related tools, and basic tools for mechanical repairs. A shop attendant is on duty to assist with questions.

Open Shop Winter Schedule

12/4-2/26 Tu 8:00 AM-Noon

12/5-2/27 W 1:00-5:00 PM

12/6-2/28 Th 5:00-9:00 PM

Please note: production work or work on items for sale is not permitted.

Also Nearby

The Loveland CreatorSpace is a community-driven workshop that offers its members access to tools, machinery, and classes. It’s located at 320 N. Railroad Ave. in Loveland.

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Lifelong Learning and Community Connections for Older Adults

Programs for Seniors

Other Services for Seniors

Ring in the New Year with a New Job

Specialized Job and Career Librarian

Skills and Interests Assessments

Career Exploration Tools

Training and Education Workshops

Networking Opportunities

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