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Sunnyvale Library outlines expanded services for older adults, highlights homebound delivery and partnerships
Summary
Library staff told the Board of Library Trustees on Jan. 6 that the system is expanding senior-focused collections, recurring programs and homebound delivery, and is pursuing partnerships with the Alzheimer’s Association and local assisted-living facilities.
At the Jan. 6 meeting of the Sunnyvale Board of Library Trustees, library staff described current and planned services aimed at older adults, including a larger accessible collection, recurring social programs, a homebound delivery service and new community partnerships.
Staff said the update matters because a large share of the local population is older: the American Community Survey indicates roughly 28% of Sunnyvale residents are age 50 or older, and about 3% of Sunnyvale residents aged 60 or older live alone. Library presenters tied the expansion of social and learning programs to public-health research showing chronic loneliness and social isolation worsen outcomes for older adults.
Jason Martin, an adult services librarian, presented counts and program details. The library currently reports 47,829 cardholders age 50 and older, 3,492 large-print books, 4,220 physical audiobooks on CD and 102,379 downloadable e-audio/e-books. Martin described recurring and pilot programs for older patrons: a monthly senior-center book group (held at the senior center), a newly scheduled monthly "Senior Game Hour" (pilot runs in 2024; now monthly on the second Thursday beginning Jan. 9), midday matinee films, weekly one-on-one tech help called "Get Connected" (Wednesdays, 2–3 p.m.), and an expanded slate of adult-education offerings including paint nights, financial-planning talks (in partnership with Edward Jones), Zen coloring and a "death cafe" discussion series.
Martin also described volunteer involvement and literacy work: the "Get Connected" team has five volunteers (named in the presentation), a new Level Up Literacy tutoring program pairs learners with tutors (four tutors noted; two are over 50 and two are senior retirees), and the program currently serves older adult learners (the oldest learner is in her late 70s). The library reported a long-running homebound delivery service that currently serves 48 clients in five languages; staff said assisted-living facilities are a target audience and they maintain relationships with six assisted-living facilities in Sunnyvale, with plans to expand outreach to additional facilities.
Staff framed the work in health terms, citing a 2023 U.S. Surgeon General report and a 2022 American Heart Association statement linking social isolation with higher risk of dementia and cardiovascular disease; the presentation also noted coordination with the city's Recreation Division senior-services staff to avoid schedule conflicts and cross-promote events. Staff said a needs assessment is planned that will include surveys and focus groups to refine senior-service offerings. An upcoming program in partnership with the Alzheimer’s Association, "Understanding Alzheimer’s and Dementia," was mentioned as a near-term event being scheduled.
Board members asked several clarifying questions during the discussion. One trustee asked which programs are held at the library versus at the senior center; staff said all listed programs are at the library except the senior-center book group, which meets at the community center senior center. Trustees asked whether the homebound-delivery figure of 48 reflected demand or a capacity limit; staff said the program is open to new clients, that there is an intake interview process to build reading profiles, and that no fixed maximum was specified (staff noted capacity limits would be driven by intake, selection/curation time, and delivery logistics and that volunteers could be used to expand capacity). Trustees also raised accessibility concerns (for example, recommending larger game pieces for patrons with arthritis or vision issues) and questions about how the library chooses large-print and digital formats; staff said newer titles are increasingly available digitally and that tablets/e-readers are lighter and easier for some patrons to use.
Staff closed by encouraging referrals for homebound delivery and by describing plans to continue program development and partnership outreach. Jason Martin relayed testimonial feedback from homebound clients, saying a patron told staff, "The library keeps me breathing and smiling."
