The current economic downturn is prompting more older adults to turn to the library for assistance with job searching and other resource needs. Librarians looking to better serve this growing population segment should plan to attend the upcoming preconference “A Dialogue With the Aging Network and the Library Community: The New Guidelines on Library and Information Services to Older Adults” at ALA’s 2009 Annual Conference.

The event, sponsored by the Reference Services Section’s (RSS) Committee on Library Services to an Aging Population, will highlight how libraries are collaborating with national and local organizations that serve older adults. Participants will also discuss RUSA’s newly revised “Guidelines on Library and Information Services to Older Adults.” Speakers include representatives from organizations such as the American Society on Aging, the National Association of Area Agencies on Aging and AARP, along with library professionals with expertise in services to older adults.

The preconference will be held from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Friday, July 10, in Chicago. Advance registration rates, available until May 22, are $100 for RUSA members, $145 for ALA members, $220 for non-members and $60 for students and retirees.

Ready to register? Check out our post on how to register for Annual Conference. If you want to add this event to your conference registration, you can do so through Step 6 – Your Events of the online form.

To register for the preconference only, use the printed registration form and mail or fax it in per the instructions on the form.