Claire, a senior in Flushing

As a senior who wants to stay active, the library is my anchor and go-to place. I go there for so many reasons—to pick up local papers and keep on top of issues and happenings in my community, attend concerts and events, do research for online college courses at CUNY, as well as pick up the latest Star Trek novels for relaxing reading. I took a beginning Mandarin class so that I can now sing karaoke in my largely Asian senior center by using romanized pinyin.

Twin sisters in Brooklyn

We visit the library several times a week for workshops, as well as special events such as presentations by doctors on important health issues and representatives from Medicare. As a result of one of the medical presentations, we went for follow-up colonoscopies, which we had been putting off scheduling.

35%

Expected growth rate of the city’s senior population over the next 20 years

Zelda, a senior in Manhattan

The library makes me feel welcome and assists me, a senior with multiple handicaps (sight, hearing, balance). They help me feel like a wanted individual.

Theresa, a senior in Brooklyn

"Kareem has (in my opinion) a CBB Degree (Can’t Be Beat) in Computer Operations."

I must tell you about my Kareem, the computer guru at the Mill Basin Library. What would I do without Kareem? Kareem has (in my opinion) a CBB Degree (Can’t Be Beat) in Computer Operations.

I needed to do some research on cars at the beginning of the year. Who showed me how to access car websites, download data pertaining to cars and take tours of the interiors of various models of cars? Kareem did! I now own a 2013 vehicle as a result of Kareem taking the time to show me how to do research on the models of interest.

Lorraine, a senior in Manhattan

"This has provided me with the energy to continue my life in an atmosphere of welcome and belonging."

This library and its librarians have been a personal support to me since the loss of my partner of 42 years. We both visited St. Agnes for all of those years. The current staff has been particularly attentive and supporting since my loss with their sympathy and friendship. This has provided me with the energy to continue my life in an atmosphere of welcome and belonging.

Selma, a senior in Windsor Park, Queens

Having access to reading materials is very important to this 94-year-old. Traveling into Manhattan has its difficulties for me, so the special cultural events at my branch are greatly appreciated (music, art, book readings, etc.).

Bonnie Sue, a senior in Queens

I am homebound and enrolled in the Mail-a-Book program in Queens Village. I am an avid reader and I always have multiple books that they have mailed to me. Not only do they send me books, but they have teleconferencing calls several times a week and Skype programs. The calls allow me to meet new people, socialize and listen to lectures.

Whenever you speak to anyone at Mail-a-Book, the conversation is warm and pleasant. I can call them for any problem and they are willing to find programs that would help me. Because of Mail-a-Book I am not sitting there looking at the four walls and TV. The isolation of the homebound is no longer a problem for me. Instead I am busy, busy, busy!

Susan, a senior in Queens

998,000

Number of seniors living in New York City

At the Friday knitting and crocheting class I get instruction as well as mingle with one of the best groups of ladies in Queens. I find this meeting to be very beneficial emotionally. I lost my husband two years ago and this group was right there for me.

Jennifer, a library volunteer in Manhattan

I teach a unique ballet class to older adults, which has become unexpectedly popular. The class started with a handful of students, and now we overflow the large community room with our 67th Street ballerinas, ages 50 to 87, from places as diverse as Thailand, Inner Mongolia, India, France and New York City.

Carolyn, a senior in Queens

The Knit Club at Fresh Meadows Library has grown tremendously. It is so popular there’s hardly enough chairs when the whole gang is here. There’s a cooperative atmosphere as members work together to make afghans for the hospitals, hats for preemies and slippers for soldiers. I am often reminded of that song from the old TV show ‘Cheers’: Sometimes you want to go / Where everybody knows your name / And they’re always glad you came.

Linda, a librarian in the Bronx

...I told her I would do a one-on-one class with her on a Saturday morning...

An elderly Hispanic lady approached me at the information desk inquiring about computer classes in Spanish. At the time we only offered classes in English, but I told her I would do a one-on-one class with her on a Saturday morning if she was willing to try despite the language barrier. Bright and early Saturday morning, she appeared at the branch with her laptop in hand, ready to go. To my amazement, she grasped everything I taught her. The following week she returned with six other Spanish-speaking seniors, all eager to learn how to use the computer. Every time she comes to the library now she asks, “Do you remember me? I’m the lady who didn’t know how to use the computer.”