By Allan M. Kleiman, Chief Consultant, Library Consultant(s)-on-Call, Old Bridge Public Library The “silver tsunami,” is near! The population throughout the United States aged sixty and older is projected to grow substantially in the near future as the baby boomer generation (those born between 1946 and 1964) reach retirement age. In 2000 there were 1,443,800 New Jerseyans aged 60 and over. By 2025, it is projected, that the NJ population will number over 2.5 million in this age group. While the current US national average for those over the age of 60 is 13.5%, New Jersey already has over 17.2% of the population over 60, and this it is expected to grow to 23.6% by 2025. With these demographics as a background, the Old Bridge Public Library (OBPL) began to seek ways to better serve multiple generations of older adults—now and into the future. In June 2006, the Library Board of Trustees began the process of developing a Strategic Plan. They quickly identified baby boomers and older adults as a potential area of growth and a “new mass audience” for the Library. They challenged the Library staff to “think outside the box” in terms of how to differently serve this … Continue reading “Senior Spaces,” the Library Place for Baby Boomers and Older Adults