Programming: Adults

It is no secret that the population of ND is aging. In providing programs and services targeted to older adults, libraries have a great opportunity to connect with this active and involved segment of our communities and to cultivate a vibrant group of library supporters in the process. 

The IMLS definition of adult programming (slightly reworded for clarity) is below:

"Any planned event for which the primary audience is adults (age 19+) and which introduces the attendees to any of the broad range of library services or activities for adults or which directly provides information to participants.

Adult programs may cover the use of the library, library services, or library tours. They may also provide cultural, recreational, or educational information, often designed to meet a specific social need.

Examples of adult programs include book clubs, escape rooms, knitting and crocheting clubs, genealogy 101 classes, resume building workshops, adult coloring, lectures, etc.

Adult programs can be held on-site or off-site and be sponsored or co-sponsored by the library. Adult programs sponsored by other groups that use library facilities are not considered a program of the library.

If adult programs are offered as a series, count each program in the series. For example, a book club offered once a week—for a total of 52 weeks a year—should be counted as 52 programs (a very prolific book club in this hypothetical scenario)."