Does one size fit all ages? Results of an international survey on academic library services for non-degree seeking older adults

Abstract

McGill Library strives to best support the University's established community of lifelong learners. To inform their professional practice, the authors conducted a diary study that offered insights into the information seeking behaviours of this population (Colosimo & Badia, 2021). Questions remained about how other academic libraries respond to the presence of non-degree seeking older adults at their institutions who are studying for the sheer joy of it. For example, are librarians aware of affiliated lifelong learning centres or units and, if so, are they offering targeted services? To answer these questions, the authors distributed a survey about the provision and tailoring of different library services to non-degree seeking older adults at higher education institutions and about the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on these services. The results provide a snapshot of library support for later life learning at colleges and universities, which is currently not covered in the literature.