title: The public library system. Social services resource for the geriatric population.
abstract: The public library system is targeting the geriatric population and instituting programs to meet informational and recreational needs. From retirement planning, visual aids, and screening, to accessing library material to the elderly, the public library system attempts to meet the challenge of providing service to this special population. Although not a formal group, the library has inherent therapeutic effects that benefit the elderly who participate in their programs. The clinician would be advised to take advantage of these various programs. Because each local and regional center will offer different programs, calling a local library is the most effective way to find out what a specific public library system has to offer. Nurses may also consider joint efforts to initiate programs in their library systems to better meet the population's needs.
authors.affiliation: University of California, Graduate School of Nursing, Los Angeles.
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Smyer
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hillman
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D006295:Health Resources / Q000639:trends*; D006801:Humans; D007255:Information Services / Q000639:trends; D007990:Libraries / Q000639:trends*; D007999:Library Services / Q000639:trends*; D012931:Social Environment; D012947:Social Work / Q000639:trends*; D014481:United States