Seniors: Make NPL your retirement HQ.
It’s no secret Nashville Public Library has robust family programming. Our events calendar is bursting with activities for all ages—from lap-sit story times for infants and toddlers to robot-building classes for techy teens. But what about aging boomers?
We’re glad you asked.
But first the facts: Nearly one in five Americans is 55–65 years old. In fact, there are more older adults than ever before in the U.S. and one in six in this population lives alone. Many are full-time caregivers to a spouse, while others struggle to adapt to retirement, sudden singlehood, or empty nest syndrome.
Social isolation, unfortunately, is all too common among the aging population, and NPL wants to help.
There are 20 Library branches to choose from, each offering a community gathering space rich with resources, activities (and of course, books!) where patrons are always met with friendly faces.
Branch Out
The isolation that comes with being a caregiver for an aging spouse or other relative is real. NPL is a great destination for a low-stress outing to recharge, connect and feel renewed.
NPL's ongoing senior-friendly events include bingo, chair yoga, and book clubs, to name a few. On any given day, a community jigsaw puzzle is in progress, and some branches even have a free puzzle exchange program. If quiet time is what’s needed, there’s always the option to read the newspaper in a cozy nook, or leisurely browse the stacks.
Librarians and Library Associates are always available to make book and DVD recommendations, share gardening tips, and provide tech support on smartphones and tablets.
Fresh Start
Most seniors are in some form of transition. They may be used to being busy, and now are facing a long stretch of free time without a plan. While they may be enjoying the freedom of retirement and an empty nest—the shift can be daunting. Many are (finally!) ready to focus on themselves, and start meeting new people that share common interests. Perhaps learn a new language or a new skill.
And why not? At NPL we always say it’s never too late to start a new chapter.
Connect and Grow
While NPL has senior-specific activities like Senior Power Hour and Senior Matinee, there are lots of other ways the 55+ crowd can find a sense of community and maybe even start charting their next big adventure.
NPL builds community through organized meet-ups that connect patrons to fellow hobbyists and enthusiasts (think knitting, anime, birdwatching, travel, Shakespeare—you name it). There's a weekly club for just about everything, but if you have a unique interest—say, the extraordinary longevity of the naked mole rat—you can create a club of your own!
Seniors can also take advantage of tech support through the Book-A-Librarian program, and attend workshops on artificial intelligence and avoiding online scammers. Documentary screenings, flower arranging classes and lectures also provide much needed intellectual stimulation—and it's all free, of course.
Lastly, if you haven’t heard already, the library is also a really fun place to volunteer (hint, hint)!
Ready to supercharge your golden years? Stop by any branch today to get started. We'll see you there.
Search the NPL Events Calendar.
Coming up at NPL
Masquerade and Murder Mystery Party
Oct. 30, 5:00 PM (Goodlettsville - reservations required)
Sip and Swipe Tablet Basics for Seniors
Wed, Nov. 5, 11:00 AM (Looby)
Senior Movie Matinee
Thurs., Nov. 13, 1:30 PM (Goodlettsville)
Aging Matters: Coffee and Conversation
Thursday, Dec. 11, 11:30 AM (Bellevue)
Ongoing
French Conversation Club
Mondays, 6:30 PM (Green Hills)
Crochet and Knitting Club
Mondays, 10:00 AM (Hadley Park)
Hong Kong-style Mahjong
Mondays, 10:30 AM (Hermitage)
Meditation
Mondays, 6:00 PM (Bellevue)
Chair Yoga
Tuesdays, 10:30 AM (Bordeaux)
Writer Support Group
1st and 3rd Wednesdays, 5:30 PM (Hermitage)
Let's Play Spades!
Wednesdays, 12:30 PM (Bordeaux) and 4 p.m. (Donelson)
Line Dancing with the 615 Soul Line Dancers
Thursdays, 6:30 PM (Madison)
Scrabble Meet-up
Thursdays 1-4 PM (Bellevue)
Spanish Conversation Club
Saturdays, noon (Thompson Lane)
Search the NPL Events Calendar.
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