The Five Patrons You’ll Meet in Retirement
Ronald J. Manheimer, Ph.D.
My Library Connections
• Led arts and humanities community programming for Timberland Regional Library, Olympia, WA • Directed The Year of the Trains Public Program for Spokane Public Library • Led NEH-funded “All My Somedays: A Living History Project” for Pierce Co. Lib. Sys. (Tacoma area, WA) • Directed, Ollie A. Randall Library, National Council on the Aging, Inc., Wash., D.C. • Member Library Services to An Aging Population, ALA (1986-88)
NC Center for Creative Retirement
• Mission: Promote thriving in life’s second half through lifelong learning, leadership, community service and research.
UNCA Campus Reuter Center, home to NCCCR
Classification Systems
Melvil Louis Kossuth Dewey
Shiyali Ramamrita Ranganathan • • • • • Classification Personality—what the object is primarily “about.” This is considered the “main facet.” Matter—the material of the object Energy—the processes or activities that take place in relation to the object Space—where the object happens or exists Time—when the object occurs
The Challenge of Frameworks
• • • • • • • • Generational Cohort (boomer, silent, GI) Gender and sexual orientation Work status: Retiree or preretiree Functional age: go-go, slow-go, no-go Dependent/independent/care giver Lifelong patron/new patron/non-patron Grandparent/sandwich generation Older adult/special needs
New Life Models of the 3rd Age
• Based on the research of Miwako Kidahashi, Ph.D., Visiting Scholar, Institute for Social and Economic Research and Policy, Columbia University • Is the Third Age a “blurred” or “distinct” stage?
The Traditional “Golden Years” Retirement Lifestyle
• Triggered by mandatory retirement age • Defined benefit pensions encourage stepping back • Physically demanding work-related disabilities take their toll • Expectations focused on leisure, family, travel • Cultural attitudes: you’ve earned it, make way for younger people, accept obsolescence • Enjoy life now before the curtain falls
Golden Years – Life Model 1
4 New Post-Career Life Models
• Neo-Golden: Pursuing selfdevelopment and social adaptation • Portfolio Life: Pursuing balance of time for family, leisure, work, travel • Second Career Orientation: Looking for a dream job, possibly for social improvement • Continuous Employment: Extension of midlife career
Neo-Goldens
• Pursuing meaning through lifelong learning, volunteerism, hobbies, social engagement, family, travel • Self-development, family and friendships are high priority
Portfolio Life
• Seeks to integrate and balance elements such as work, learning, volunteering, leisure activities, travel • Balanced lifestyle a high priority
Second Career
• Pursuing full or part time employment in a challenging, rewarding, meaningful job with implications of social benefit – “encore careers” • Productivity a high priority
Continuous Employment
• People seeking to extend their midlife career as long as possible – the “never retire” ethic among these • Work for money and professional reputation are high priorities
Information Quest Moments (IQMs)
PEOPLE BECOME LIBRARIANS BECAUSE THEY KNOW TOO MUCH. THEIR KNOWLEDGE EXTENDS BEYOND MERE CATEGORIES. THEY CANNOT BE CONFINED TO DISCIPLINES. LIBRARIANS ARE ALL-KNOWING AND ALL-SEEING. THEY BRING ORDER TO CHAOS. THEY BRING WISDOM AND CULTURE TO THE MASSES. THEY PRESERVE EVERY ASPECT OF HUMAN KNOWLEDGE. LIBRARIANS RULE. AND THEY WILL KICK THE CRAP OUT OF ANYONE WHO SAYS OTHERWISE. Librarian Avengers, Nov. 29, 2007
Post-career lifestyles and Lifelong Learning Needs
• Neo-Goldens – enrichment, socialization, some new skills, self-qualifying certificate such as master gardener • Portfolios – meeting various interests and needs including career skills • Second career – learning new skills and training to start new businesses, pursue “encore careers” • Work extenders – learning skills to keep up professional abilities
Possible Roles of Public Libraries
• Programs in support of retirement transition planning including self-facilitated discussion/support groups • Annotated guides to print and electronic resources concerning retirement • Film series on The New Retirement • Age-neutral programs likely to appeal to a 50+ audience • Tool kit for the new retirement: what everyone needs to know
Let’s discuss.