Successful User Experience Active Listening + Creative Solutions = Building Relationships, Engaging Older Adult Patrons

Presentation given at Georgia Libraries Conference

A brief discussion on ways librarians can use design thinking strategies to support older adult library users. With more university libraries serving the public, academic librarians must be prepared to serve non-traditional students and multi-generational patrons. In particular, older adult library patrons often surface with unique research quests ranging from leisurely bylines, life-long learning to ancestral pursuits and more. Assessing their distinct needs yields opportunities to serve this population of users through relationship building, knowledge-based content, and access privileges. Design thinking solutions can equip academic librarians to effectively engage, support, and satisfy the diverse needs of this user community.