Workshops in cutting-edge technology have found a new mature audience through Mosman Council, New South Wales, library sessions.
Mosman Library Service has been introducing seniors to coding and Ozobots, both often associated with much younger participants, through a number of free sessions held recently as part of the Mosman Seniors Festival.
The two-hour sessions focussing on each technology were quickly booked out with extensive waiting lists for both. Further events for seniors are now being planned for Library and Information Week in May and Adult Learners Week in September.
Manager Library Services, Linda Horswell, said, “We appear to have tapped into an area of great interest for our seniors who are now far more e-literate and no longer just need to learn how to operate a computer or smartphone.
“Ozobots, which are small coding robots, give users the chance to build on their confidence with technology in a fun way while our coding classes offer basic skills, tips and knowledge.
“However this type of technology training needs careful planning because it is very resource intensive with at least two members of staff required for each small group.”
The special sessions were in addition to regular technology workshops run by library staff as part of ‘Technology Tuesday’ and e-book exploration sessions that complement a range of traditional author talks, writing workshops and local studies activities.
