Cranky 2.0

Cranky? Boomers & Older Adults Are Greying the Internet!
Allan Kleiman, Old Bridge Public Library, & ALA Chair, Library Service to an Aging Population Committee

Allan's candid Jersey charm was the perfect after-lunch wake up.

Allan put services to seniors in perspective by giving examples of the ways companies/online communities are trying to attract Boomers, believing that they are "sticky" (brand loyal) and will bring their billions of dollars of retirment income with them to these sites.

Some examples are Thirdage, Eons, and Multiply. Allan illustrated the similarities of these sites, and the fact that they seem targeted to white, upper middle class women. He sees greater success for sites like eldr, that have a print magazine to attract offline readers. Eons has created "the world’s first age-relevant search engine," cRANKy.com, For more information on the thinking behind this web site, check out this article at CNNMoney.com.

Blogging has caught on among seniors more than some might have thought. Blogging can keep the mind sharp, keep authors up on current events, provide an opportunity to share life experiences, provide an opportunity to meet people throughout the world, and give authors recognition.

For more information, see Allan's Senior Spaces page, including descriptions and pictures of his library's new physical Senior Space.