tl;dr - Visit https://www.eventbrite.com/e/senior-summer-camp-workshop-for-public-librarians-tickets-62365768693 to register for our free September 26 workshop discussing our pilot project to build a Senior Summer Camp for 55+. Also check out our free-for-Michiganders Cutting-Edge Librarianship webinars series (https://www.eventbrite.com/o/university-of-michigan-school-of-information-and-the-library-of-michigan-26412644287), which starts September 17 with a fascinating workshop linking traditional global crafting practices with contemporary coding activities.)

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Details: In Summer 2019, the Ypsilanti District Library's Michigan Avenue Branch and the University of Michigan School of Information piloted Senior Summer Camp. Many senior citizens grapple with having downsized and a reduction in in-home space for creative efforts, lower income in retirement, increased isolation and loneliness, and loss of visual or physical mobility. Our hypothesis was library-based maker programming could provide social engagement, a sense of purpose, and new tools to facilitate making. Our participants surprised us with what drew them to events, what grabbed their attention, what made them return, and who they were. Our participants had a strong desire to make beautiful things, structure early retirement days, or socialize.

Over eight weeks, residents aged 55 and up were invited to participate in 90-minute sessions with a variety of traditional and digital tools. Each week, new materials and processes were introduced, and previous weeks' supplies remained available for repeat interactions. While our pilot project was short, we see many opportunities for further exploration.

Join us for a to explore our Summer 2019 Senior Summer Camp pilot program and take time to consider how its activities might be modified for your own library's senior citizens.

Presenters:

Kayla Carucci, Doctoral Student, University of Michigan School of Information

Joy Cichewicz, Manager, Ypsilanti District Library Michigan Avenue Branch

Kristin Fontichiaro, Principal Investigator, Making in Michigan Libraries Project, University of Michigan School of Information

Free parking is available behind the library. Additional street and public parking is available nearby.

This workshop is made possible in part by the Institute for Museum and Library Services RE-05-15-0021-15.

Questions? contactmichiganmakers@umich.edu