Biblioteca Complutense

"Cultivating Conversation, Memory and Self-Awareness:  Women & Libraries Post-Retirement"
by Joanna Kluever and Wayne Finley

As the world's population ages, public libraries have adapted to meet the needs of retirees by offering programs that highlight technological, financial and health literacy skills for older women.  Julia Hull District Library wanted to do something more that would foster their intellectual needs, as well.  Thus, the Library Director organized a series of extended literature courses which sought to engage women in discussion of some of the great works of literature.  The participants were so inspired that the classes transformed from mere reading and discussion, to include writing and scholarly analysis-similar to what what might see in a college classroom.  The result has been staggering:  the creation of a social network of women-readers who have gained knowledge, confidence and support by their intellectual engagement and vocalization with other women.  This case study will address how these Julia Hull District Library programs are designed and sustained, how they continue to meet the needs of retired women in the community, as well as suggestions for how staff at other libraries might incorporate similar programs with their own female patrons.