With funding from the American Rescue Plan and in partnership with the Northern New York Library Network, North Country Library System is proud to bring Senior Planet programming to the North Country region!
Librarians across Jefferson and St. Lawrence Counties have been trained and equipped with technology to lead Senior Planet classes in their communities.
Senior Planet is a curriculum designed especially for seniors, leveraging technology to enhance life in five impact areas:
Senior Planet is presented by Older Adults Technology Services (aka OATS), an affiliate of AARP.
Participating Libraries:
Bodman Memorial Library
Cape Vincent Community Library
Carthage Free Library
Hepburn Library of Waddington
Lowville Free Library
Massena Public Library
Morristown Public Library
North Country Library System
Norwood Public Library
Orleans Public Library
Potsdam Public Library
Roswell P. Flower Memorial Library
Once you're comfortable using your device and accessing Zoom, use your new skills to take advantage of the free community resources offered online by Senior Planet! Join discussion groups, discover new interests, and learn everything from Spanish to Tai Chi!
Click here to see the schedule: Senior Planet Virtual Class Schedule
Senior Planet also hosts a monthly online book club! Click here to learn more!
Q: Is there a cost to participate?
A: No! Senior Planet programming is free to participants. For hands-on courses, you will be provided with a free course book.
Q: Who is eligible to attend Senior Planet classes?
A: There is no age cutoff, but the Senior Planet curriculum is designed for the unique needs of learners aged 60 and up.
Q: What kind of classes are offered?
A. Senior Planet offers lectures (one-off lectures to give you an introduction to a topic), workshops (one-time, hands on practice with the basics of a given tool or topic), and courses (classes that meet twice a week for 5 or ten weeks, to help you achieve a working knowledge of a tool or topic). The focus is always on using tech to improve your life in the five OATS impact areas: financial security, civic engagement and advocacy, social engagement, health and wellness, and creative expression.
Q: I'm uncomfortable with technology. What if the trainer goes too fast?
A: The curriculum has been designed with the needs of seniors in mind; moderate pacing, repetition and practice is built into the curriculum and will help you retain the course material. The trainers are librarians who have gone through training specific to helping older adult learners.
Q: What if I don't have a laptop or an iPad to use?
A: Host libraries have class sets of devices; you do not need to bring your own!
Q: What if I am out of town for part of a course?
A: Courses are designed to build knowledge week after week. If you are unable to attend more than a few sessions of a five or ten week course, we encourage you to register for a one-time lecture or workshop instead, and wait until you can attend all sessions of a course. If you miss material early in the course, later classes will be much more challenging!
Q: How can I see which courses are being offered in our region?
A: Take a look at the map and the calendar below to see what libraries near you are offering! You may attend programs at any participating location, not just your home library.
Q: How do I register for a lecture, workshop or course?
A: Contact the library hosting the session (click on the name of the course in the calendar to see the name, address and phone number of the host library!)