Special Skills for Helping Seniors Approach Technology - Webinar (11/19/19)

Helping Older Library Users Navigate Technology and Online Services Successfully

In the marketing world, people who are the last to adopt new technologies are labeled “laggards”, a derogatory term that demonstrates how some library personnel view those customers who need the most help.

In some cases, language barriers, cognitive issues, poverty, and family obligations make learning to use technology and online resources difficult. Library users challenged by age and accompanying generational differences bring additional problems: loneliness, isolation, and a lack of workplace experience to help understand technology. Imagine you are teaching someone to drive who had never seen a car before they were 35 years! Don’t assume your older students have the personal experience necessary to expedite learning.

The irony, of course, is that new technologies might create similar difficulties for the current generation of library personnel. The same people who find some senior customers annoying will become those future “laggards” seeking assistance.

An investment in understanding how seniors learn, creating programs that meet their needs, and making your library “senior-friendly” can improve the effectiveness of your current tech classes. You can help more seniors navigate public terminals without so much “hand-holding” with benefits to other library users who might feel uncomfortable around technology and who are not speaking up.

Virtual Trainer: Pat Wagner

Pat Wagner has been as a trainer and consultant for the library community since 1978. She is a frequent visitor to Florida libraries and speaks at national and regional library conferences as well as contributes to several online library training organizations.

Forty-plus years ago, when the world was younger, she sat down at her first computer keyboard and still spends much of her time online. However, now that she is in her seventh decade, she understands how your senior library customers might be intimidated by even the simplest technology. 

This is an online class. Access information will be emailed one week ahead.

Cost: NEFLIN classes are free of charge for Florida library staff. Registration is required for all classes and NEFLIN members get priority.