Ageing GLBTQI members of the community

Jan Aitkin posed some thought provoking questions and issues for all home library service providers to consider to ensure our services are inclusive of members of the Lesbian and Gay Community.

Issues for community members:

1. Invisibility, being in the closet still, living in a setting such as a nursing home, hostel or retirement village where ‘coming out’ may be difficult.
2. Lack of information about and access to gay/lesbian resources.
3. Dealing with staff whose attitudes are not known and may be negative.


Issues for libraries:

1. Collection policies: how does gay/lesbian literature make it into the library?
2. How does this extend to other media: CDs, videos, DVDs etc?
3. What about magazines: does your library have LOTL ( Lesbians on the Loose) and Sydney Star Observer?
4. Reading lists: Do you have a lesbian/gay reading list?
5. If the answer is no to all or most of these what is the reason for the lack?
6. Internet access: rapidly becoming important – can you assist clients’ access?

Possible resources:

Feminist Bookshop Shop 9, Orange Grove Plaza, Lilyfield. Ph: 9810 2666. Fx: 9818 5745 Email: feministbookshop@iprimus.com.au

The Bookshop 207 Oxford St, Darlinghurst 2010. Ph: 9331 1103
Website: www.thebookshop.com.au


General information sources:
The pink directory
Older dykes

Seminar program

Monday 28th of April 2008, 9:30am – 4:00pm
Metcalfe Auditorium, State Library of NSW

9:30am
Millie Ingram, Chairperson of the Wyanga Elders Group in Redfern
Welcome to country

David Skidmore, Council on the Ageing (NSW) Inc
Ageing - the big picture in NSW

Graham Gibson, Real Options International
Stories of experience

Sarah Fogg, Benevolent society
The work of the Benevolent Society and needs of older people in our community

11:00 - 11:30am MORNING TEA

Laurene Brittan and Cathy Mark, Stanton Library

Sarah Davidson, Carers NSW
Carers in NSW

Nicky Hayward-Wright, Alzheimers Australia
Dementia & memory loss: providing information & support to people with dementia, their family members and carers - and how they work with libraries

Peter Douglass, Central West Libraries

LUNCH

Heather Bently, Sydney U3A
Partnerships for lifelong learning

Robert Swan, Campbelltown Library

Nan Bosler, Australian Seniors Computer Club Association
Computing and seniors – seniors and libraries

Panel discussion:
Ageing issues for specific groups including CALD, Indigenous and GLBTIQ community members:

• Yvonne Santa Lucia, Sydney South West Area Health
• Jan Aitken, Ten Forty Matrix
• Rhonda Hilt Gray, Aboriginal Elder

Seminar details

Monday 28th of April 2008, 9:30am – 4:00pm
Metcalfe Auditorium, State Library of NSW

The older population in New South Wales is increasing. This represents not only a larger number of older people, but a more diverse group, spanning multiple generations of seniors with a variety of needs and interests. This poses new challenges to the library community, including libraries with significant past experience serving older people.

Presenters include representatives from:

• Council on the Ageing (NSW)
• Carers NSW
• Alzheimers Australia
• Home Library Service Working Group
• Australian Seniors Computer Club Association

The program also includes a panel addressing ageing issues for specific groups: GLBTQI, Indigenous & Multicultural members of our communities.

Cost: Free to NSW public library staff and council officers

Bookings: Jan Witcombe, Public Library Services, phone (02) 9273 1527 fax (02) 9273 1244 email jwitcombe@sl.nsw.gov.au

The Zimmers (New video edit v.2) Released 28/05/07

This videoclip from YouTube also links to www.myspace.com/thezimmersband

The lead singer Alf is 90 and he is not the oldest - there are 99 and 100-year-olds in the band!The Zimmers featured in a BBC TV documentary and continue to record.