Collection Development: The New Golden Years
Jun 14, 2010If shuffleboard and “early bird specials” are your idea of retirement, you’re out of touch. For today’s older adults, retirement means adventure, travel, volunteering, and second careers, options that our parents and grandparents never had even considered.
One reason for this change in attitude is the increase in the lifespan (for both men and women) over the past decades. In 1950, for example, the average life expectancy was 70.8 years; by 2020, it is projected to be 79.5 years (National Vital Statistics Reports, April 17, 2009). As described in J. Walker Smith’s Generation Ageless (Collins, 2007) and Robert Butler’s The Longevity Revolution (Public Affairs, 2008), baby boomers have also contributed to our shifting notions about “aging.” Today, this time in one’s life after family and career is now called “The Third Age” and can mean 20, 30, or even 40 more active and productive years.
Preparing for retirement
Libraries can help their patrons plan for this “age” by providing a wide range of materials that encourage lifelong learning, brain health, creativity, and volunteerism. The collection needs to be up-to-date and current (within three years for weeding purposes) since much of the material, especially financial and travel resources, can be time sensitive. For example, Elderhostel, the popular education/travel organization for seniors, has recently changed its name to Road Scholar.
The three key authors in redefining this “new retirement” are Marc Freedman, SeniorNet founder Mary Furlong, and Ken Dychtwald, and their books—Freedman’s Encore: Finding Work That Matters in the Second Half of Life (Public Affairs, 2007); Furlong’s Turning Silver into Gold: How To Profit in the New Boomer Marketplace (FT Pr. 2007; o.s.), Dychtwald’s With Purpose: Going from Success to Significance in Work and Life (Morrow, 2009)—can provide answers to those looking for new retirement options.
While many of your older patrons will still request “traditional” titles on retirement, like finance, social security, estate planning, etc., you can expand your once “narrow’ collection to appeal to a broader and younger baby boomer audience. Some retirees will want to work full time or part-time later in life (think résumé books or guides to starting a business). Others will look to “explore” in ways that were impossible for them while they raised a family (for example, technology and computers), and then there are those who are considering “civic engagement”(volunteering) opportunities around the corner (perhaps Friends of the Library) or around the world (yes, maybe the Peace Corps).
Reconsidering financial options
Information on financial security is even more crucial in light of the recent economic meltdown, which reduced many retirees’ pensions and 401k portfolios, forcing some to try to return to work in a tough job market. Currency is essential as older titles just do not account for the changes in investment strategies. The increase in the number of libraries around the country offering résumé instruction, job search classes, and technology training can be directly linked to these economic issues.
This selective list of print (including those from many small and independent publishers) and online resources offer a good starting point for expanding and diversifying your retirement collection. Starred [
] titles are essential for all collections.
General
Bankson, Marjory Zoet. Creative Aging: Rethinking Retirement and Non-Retirement in a Changing World. Skylight Paths. 2010. 138p. ISBN 978-1-59473-281-2. pap. $16.99.
A workshop leader and president of Faith@Work, Bankson explores the possibilities of retirement from a spiritual point of view, with stories of individuals who have reinvented themselves in their “leisure” years. (LJ 5/1/10)
Carstensen, Laura L. A Long Bright Future: An Action Plan for a Lifetime of Happiness, Health, and Financial Security. Broadway. 2009. 336p. bibliog. index. ISBN 978-0-7679-3012-3. $26.
A noted authority on longevity and aging asks, “What are we going to do with those 20 or 30 years we didn’t expect?” Her positive and empowering guide to smart aging offers some answers. (Xpress Reviews, 8/25/09)
Delamontagne, Robert P. The Retiring Mind: How To Make the Psychological Transition to Retirement. Synergy. 2010. 176p. bibliog. ISBN 978-0-9823140-9-8. pap. $15.95.
Focusing on “feelings” rather than “finances,” Delamontagne offers readers a different look at how to achieve their dreams.
Fanning, Patrick. Not Dead Yet...and One or Two Other Good Things About Retirement. New Harbinger. 2009. 137p. ISBN 978-1-57224-552-5. pap. $14.95.
Self-help writer Fanning tackles the retirement years with humor, wit, and a focus on how to find a new sense of purpose with all that “spare” time.
Lloyd, Mary. Supercharged Retirement: Ditch the Rocking Chair, Trash the Remote, and Do What You Love. Hankfritz. 2009. 256p. bibliog. index. ISBN 978-0-9798319-3-5. pap. $16.95.
The CEO of Mining Silver, a company dedicated to the potential of older adults, offers retirement planning options that go beyond financial security to address spiritual, mental, physical, and emotional needs.
Price, R. Kevin. The Successful Retirement Guide: Hundreds of Suggestions on How To Stay Intellectually, Socially and Physically Engaged for the Best Years of Your Life. Rainbow. 2009. 344p. ISBN 978-1-56825-115-8. pap. $19.95.
This A–Z compendium of inspiring ideas is essential reading for those who have not yet planned what to do for the rest of their lives. (LJ 7/09)
Schlossberg, Nancy K. Revitalizing Retirement: Reshaping Your Identity, Relationships, and Purpose. American Psychological Assn. 2009. 241p. bibliog. index. ISBN 978-1-4338-0413-7. pap. $16.95.
An expert in adult transitions and retirement outlines the secrets of a “happy retirement” with success stories from actual retirees.
Turner, Harry. Zen and the Art of Gentle Retirement. Janus Pub. Sept. 2010. 187p. ISBN 978-1-85756-760-1. pap. $14.95.
OK, you’ve retired. Now what do you do? Here are some humorous ideas.
Waxman, Barbara. How To Love Your Retirement. 2d ed. Hundreds of Heads Bks. Sept. 2010. 356p. ISBN 978-1-933512-89-1. pap. $16.95.
Packed with helpful, entertaining, funny, and inspirational stories and lots of real-life advice from hundreds of retirees who are making the most of their golden years.
Careers & Entrepreneurship
Izard, Mary Beth. BoomerPreneurs: How Baby Boomers Can Start Their Own Business, Make Money and Enjoy Life. Achieve Consulting. 2010. 286p. ISBN 978-0-9728748-3-0. pap. $25.95.
Consultant and entrepreneur Izard outlines a four-step process to help baby boomers to discover and make their business dreams come true and be a success.
Nelson, John E. & Richard N. Bolles. What Color Is Your Parachute? For Retirement: Planning a Prosperous, Healthy, and Happy Future. 2d ed. Ten Speed. Jul. 2010. 288p. illus. ISBN 978-1-58008-205-1. pap. $16.99.
Revised to reflect today’s economic environment, everybody’s favorite career guide is for those seeking more than an ordinary retirement book.
Sargent, Dennis & Martha Sargent. Retire—and Start Your Own Business: 5 Steps to Success. Nolo. 2008. 336p. bibliog. index.ISBN 978-1-4133-0765-8. pap. $24.99 with CD-ROM.
Two retired business educators provide practical tips for starting a business after retirement. The CD-ROM includes Excel spreadsheets and additional lessons.
Civic Engagement
Grout, Pam. The 100 Best Volunteer Vacations To Enrich Your Life. National Geographic. 2009. 288p. illus. index. ISBN 978-1-4262-0459-3. pap. $19.95.
For retirees interested in “voluntouring,” travel writer Grout (100 Best Vacations To Enrich Your Life) offers a wide range of ideas (building houses in Appalachia, taking supplies to Haiti).
Mersmann, Andrew. Frommer’s 500 Places Where You Can Make a Difference. Frommer’s. 2009. 480p. illus. maps. index. ISBN 978-0-470-16061-9. pap. $19.95.
Serve communities, explore local culture, and make a difference with these short and long-term volunteer vacation options.
Strom, Kay Marshall. The Second-Half Adventure. Moody. 2009. 144p. ISBN 978-0-8024-7875-7. pap. $14.99.
Written from a Christian perspective, this guide offers plenty of ideas for baby boomers who still want to make a difference after retirement.
Financial Planning
Hinden, Stan. How To Retire Happy: The 12 Most Important Decisions You Must Make Before You Retire. 3d ed. McGraw-Hill. 2009. 256p. index. ISBN 978-0-07-170247-8. pap. $18.95.
This best-selling guide by a former Washington Post retirement columnist has been updated to reflect the recession with tips on Medigap insurance, maximizing Social Security income, and making your money last through a long retirement.
Jason, Julie. The AARP Retirement Survival Guide: How To Make Smart Financial Decisions in Good Times and Bad. Sterling. 2009. 352p. bibliog. index. ISBN 978-1-4027-4341-2. pap. $14.95.
An excellent financial planning source (including a planning tool kit) by an experienced money manager. (LJ 8/09)
Larimore, Taylor & others. The Bogleheads’ Guide to Retirement Planning. Wiley. 2009. 370p. bibliog. index. ISBN 978-0-470-45557-9. $24.95.
Practical tips from a group of investors (www.bogleheads.org) who follow the advice of Vanguard Group founder John C. Bogle.
Matthews, Joseph with Dorothy Berman. Social Security, Medicare & Government Pensions: Get the Most Out of Your Retirement & Medical Benefits. 15th ed. Nolo. 2010. 482p. index. ISBN 978-1-4133-1097-9. pap. $29.95.
The standard book on government benefits for retirees.
Miller, Mark. The Hard Times Guide to Retirement Security. Bloomberg. 2010. 240p. ISBN 978-1-57660-362-8. pap. $16.95.
The author of “Retire Smart,” a weekly syndicated column, discusses the difficult financial issues facing retirees in this postcrash economy. Money magazine named his website, RetirementRevised.com, as one of the best online retirement planning sites.
Salsbury, Gregory B. Retirementology: Rethinking the American Dream in a New Economy. FT Pr. 2010. 240p. bibliog. index. ISBN 978-0-13-705653-8. pap. $19.99.
Using behavioral finance, Salisbury identifies ten destructive financial behaviors to help readers get back on track in planning for a positive retirement in an economic downturn. (LJ 5/1/10)
Solin, Daniel R. The Smartest Retirement Book You’ll Ever Read. Perigee: Putnam. 2009. 272p. bibliog. index. ISBN 978-0-399-53520-8. $21.95; pap. ISBN 978-0-399-53634-2. pap. $13.95.
The best-selling author of The Smartest Investment Book You’ll Ever Read applies his financial expertise in this straightforward, practical guide that goes beyond the basics. (LJ 8/09)
Tyson, Eric & Robert C. Carlson. Personal Finance for Seniors for Dummies. Wiley. 2010. 456p. illus. index. ISBN 978-0-470-54876-9. pap. $21.99.
Clear, concise financial advice for seniors, with illustrations and charts complementing the text.
Travel
Peddicord, Kathleen. How To Retire Overseas: Everything You Need To Know To Live Well (for Less) Abroad. Hudson Street. 2010. 304p. ISBN 978-1-59463-065-1. $25.95.
Retirement no longer means just moving to Florida, as Peddicord’s up-to-date guide to retirement living abroad demonstrates. She also offers more advice at her subscription website, LiveandInvestOverseas.com.
Webber, Jeffrey. RVing & Your Retirement Lifestyle: A Cost Effective Way To Live Your Dreams. Booklocker.com. 2009. 195p. ISBN 978-1-60145-734-9. pap. $13.95.
Crisscrossing the continent in style is an alternative to a second home or retirement community. Practical advice from an experienced RVer.
DVD
Retirement Revolution: The New Reality. 90 min. PBS Video. 2009. DVD ISBN 978-1-60883-110-4. $24.99.
Hosted by TV journalist Paula Zahn, this video explores the financial reality of today’s retirement owing to the economic meltdown, with profiles of older adults who have found ways to thrive.
Websites
Civic Ventures
www.civicventures.org
This site, founded by Encore author Marc Freedman, is aimed at getting baby boomers involved in their communities.
Eons
www.eons.com
A popular social networking site for baby boomers.
Money Smartz
www.moneysmartz.com/top/Retirement
Links to government and nonprofit retirement sites and resources.
Retirement Café
www.retirement-cafe.com
Developed by retirement author Ernie J. Zelinski (How To Retire Happy, Wild and Free), this information portal links to over 100 websites and blogs.
Road Scholar
www.roadscholar.org
The former Elderhostel offers 8000 educational tours here and abroad.
Third Age
www.thirdage.com
Founded by Mary Furlong, this is the boomer’s online guide to “a life of health, happiness, passion and purpose.”
Allan M. Kleiman is the past Chair of the American Library Association's Library Service to an Aging Population Committee and noted expert in the area of library services to older adults and baby boomers. For over 30 years, he has been a workshop leader, presenter, and library school instructor on the topic and now devotes most of his time to promoting "senior spaces": library places for older adults. When not "on the road," he is the Interim Library Director at Montville Public Library, NJ, and the weekend reference librarian at South Plainfield Public Library, NJ
