Adult Library Services

Adult services is a wide-ranging area of library work. Your community of users - the ones you have, the ones you will have, and the ones you can have - will differ from one library to the next and one year to the next. 

Below are some broad topics under which there are resources for learning about some adults and how to meet some of their needs relevant to those themes. However, every adult has one thing in common: Their needs, wants, and experiences will fall into multiple of those categories.

For news, resources, and trends in adult services, visit Colorado Virtual Library or subscribe to email alerts for new posts. 

"How do I figure out what my community wants or needs?"

Population data

• County Health Rankings & Roadmaps: Colorado (interactive map and data sets) 
• State Demography Office dashboard 
• American Community Survey 
  • Learn more at the Discovering the American Community Survey mini-course
• US Census Bureau data tables dashboard 

Community Dialogues

• Community Dialogue toolkits and guides from STAR Net 

Research and Reports

• 2022 Public Library Services for Stronger Communities Report from Public Library Association

Programming 

Resources and Ideas 

• Programming Librarian 
• Resource kits from Colorado State Library 

Program Evaluation 

• Project Outcome - Free evaluation toolkit for gathering survey data from programs to help libraries see what's working, what isn't, and learn what programs your community wants
• Evaluating Library Programming workbook from the Connected Learning Alliance 

Research and Reports

• Publications from National Impact of Library Public Programs Assessment

Aging and Older Adults

Programs 

• Fall Prevention Programs Demographics & Outcomes Infographics
• Fall Prevention Awareness Week Toolkit 
• Programs for health and wellness:  
  • Geri-Fit - Learn more about Geri-Fit at libraries 
  • Ageless Grace
  • Senior Planet - Virtual live free programming for lifelong learning and physical wellness 

Research and Reports

• Colorado Aging Framework: A Guide for Policymakers, Providers, and Others for Aging Well in Colorado
• Resources for the Colorado Agencies on Aging 

Workforce, Job and Career Development

• My Colorado Journey 
• Colorado Apprenticeships Directory 
• Colorado Workforce Centers 

Book-centered Programs and Readers Advisory 

• Net Galley - Use your work email and get librarian access to Advanced Reader Copies (ARCs) of upcoming titles. 
• Colorado Humanities and Center for the Book
  • Volunteer as a judge or selector for the annual Colorado Book Awards. 

One Book or Common Read Programs

• Big Read - From National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), Big Read offers libraries opportunities for grant funding of a common read program for your communities.

Readers Advisory Resources

• RA for All 
• Book Riot 

Other Resources 

• Spanish for Libraries
• Digital Inclusion
• Check Out Colorado State Parks

Adult Library Services Consultant

Cristy Moran (she/ her/ ella) is the Adult Library Services Senior Consultant at the Colorado State Library and is eager to consult with and support you in program development and facilitation, outreach, finding resources, assessment and evaluation, and collaborating with community partners. She is a librarian, an educator, an instructional designer, and an information literacy specialist who has worked in libraries and education for over 15 years. In supporting all Colorado libraries (including public, academic, and special libraries), Cristy's role can best be described as the adult services librarian’s librarian for Colorado. 

Cristy Moran

Adult Library Services Senior Consultant
Colorado State Library
201 E. Colfax Ave, Room 309
Denver, CO 80203
Phone: 720-926-2159
Email: moran_c@cde.state.co.us
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