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BACKGROUND <br /> The City's Library and Recreation department delivers a wide variety of services that <br /> span all ages and stages of life; this breadth provides a unique opportunity to leverage <br /> commonalities for services to varying age groups in the community. In the past year of <br /> service and program planning, staff identified older adults, particularly those with <br /> cognitive needs, as an underserved part of the community. Notably, the U.S. Census <br /> data estimates that nearly 15 percent of Pleasanton residents are 65 years or older. <br /> In summer 2023, staff conceptualized innovative services for cognitive needs that could <br /> provide library collections of Memory Kits along with interactive programs for seniors <br /> and their caregivers and families. Memory Kits were identified as tools that could be <br /> used independently or with caregivers and families to provide an activity for older adults <br /> to recall memories and engage in meaningful conversations about their life experiences. <br /> For families and caregivers, the kits would provide an enjoyable activity to enhance their <br /> time together. <br /> Subsequently, staff applied for a grant entitled Memory Kits for Adults and their <br /> Caregivers through the PLP 2023/24 Innovation and Technology Opportunity Grant. In <br /> prior cycles, grant funding from PLP has helped the library offer new and innovative <br /> programs such as the Tailored Recreation and Education Collections (TRECs) which <br /> provides off-site library book and materials collections at the Alviso Adobe and <br /> Gingerbread Preschool as well as an Honors collection of books in the library on <br /> sensitive topics for teens. <br /> DISCUSSION <br /> The grant for the Memory Kit program was awarded to the City on September 27, 2023. <br /> With the new funding, staff will meet with partners that serve seniors to select the <br /> Memory Kits that will be themed to offer a variety of options for users. For instance, one <br /> kit may be themed as therapeutic, with a "Mind Your Memory" focus to include <br /> conversation cards, games and puzzles and sensory items, while "The Decades" kits <br /> could include music (and listening devices) from various decades, alongside books with <br /> news and culture from each era. <br /> To complement and promote the Memory Kit collection, staff will collaboratively provide <br /> programs for caregivers and families in coordination with local non-profits, explore <br /> opportunities for seniors to connect while using the kits during memory groups at the <br /> Pleasanton Senior Center, and provide a chance to meet new friends at the Memory <br /> Cafe series at the library on weekends at a time when the Senior Center is closed. <br /> As part of the grant commitment, the Memory Kits will be evaluated through survey and <br /> usage data to expand locations in future cycles to locations such as memory care <br /> centers. After the grant implementation is complete, the library will continue to grow the <br /> collection based upon participant feedback. With the launch of a new Mobile Outreach <br /> Vehicle in 2024, staff intends to provide the Memory Kits through planned vehicle stops <br /> Page 2 of 3 <br />