FY 2010 Senior Spaces RFP and Contract Awards

June, 2009

INFOLINK is very pleased to announce three contract awards in response to the RFP: Senior Spaces 2009-2010.

• East Brunswick Public Library ($20,000). Contract Manager – MaryEllen Firestone.
• Montclair Public Library ($20,000). Contract Manager- Marilyn Kahn.
• Allan Kleiman ($6,000). Consultant.

The East Brunswick Public Library has three goals:

1. To create and execute a telephone poll of at least 400 resident living in East Brunswick between the ages of 60 – over 85 to ascertain their major concerns in regards to health and wellness;
2. To use the poll results to identify areas of concern that can be addressed immediately by the purchase of additional materials for the library’s collections and by tailoring the programs offered by the Senior Center and The Library; and,
3. To create a separate but integrated space in the library where the boomer generation and their elders can meet and comfortably access information in every format.

Assistant Library Director MaryEllen Firestone says, “Thank you, INFOLINK for your foresight! The Senior Spaces contract will allow East Brunswick residents to voice their needs and desires for collections and programs for the next 3 – 5 years. We look forward to learning all about healthy living and aging with vitality.”

The Montclair Public Library’s project will launch its MPL STARS (Montclair Public Library Seniors’ Technology and Reading Space) program. The library goals are stated as follows:

1. “We want to make it easy for older adults to use the Library.
2. We want to transform an area of the Library into a community gathering space for older residents.
3. We want to enhance programming provided to seniors.”

In addition to developing a reading and technology space, the library is partnering with the Montclair Creative Aging Network, a community-based group of arts, culture, education, and human service providers. Marilyn Kahn shares, “I am thrilled that the Montclair Public Library has received the Senior Spaces contract award. It is a great honor to have this opportunity to enhance our older adult services and programs and to provide a senior-focused space in the library.

Allan Kleiman, a nationally known expert on library services to the baby boomers and older adults, will be the Senior Spaces Consultant for INFOLINK and for the two contract libraries.

INFOLINK Regional Library Cooperative and its services are funded by the New Jersey State Library, which is responsible for the coordination, promotion and funding of the New Jersey Library Network.