Creativity and Aging program with Dr. Gene Cohen

Nationally-known author and aging expert, Dr. Gene Cohen, will visit the Twin Cities area in late-January 2008 to speak on "The Mature Mind and Aging Brain: Positive Changes and Creativity in the Second Half of Life."

Monday, January 28, 7 - 9 p.m.
Ridgedale Library, 12601 Ridgedale Drive, Minnetonka
PUBLIC PROGRAM - OPEN TO ALL
Dr. Cohen will speak on latest research and findings on the subject of creativity and aging, highlighting elements in his most recent books. Dr. Cohen is a highly recognized professional in the area of aging and promotes the value and wisdom of age coupled with experience. There will be a drawing for his books (2) at the end of the program. No registration is required.

Tuesday, January 29, 8:30 a.m. - 11 a.m.
Ridgedale Library, 12601 Ridgedale Drive, Minnetonka
WORKSHOP FOR LIBRARY STAFF
(Open to staff throughout Minnesota. Please register in advance at http://www.melsa.org/member/workshop/index.cfm .)
Dr. Cohen links the attributes, gifts and skill sets of the 55+ age population with library services and programs, including volunteer work, building planning, and intergenerational programming.

Dr. Cohen is a graduate of Harvard College and the Georgetown University School of Medicine and has a doctorate in Gerontology from the Union Institute. He is the author of more than 150 publications in the field of aging, including several edited text books. His individually authored books include, "The Brain in Human Aging," "The Creative Age: Awaking Human Potential in the Second Half of Life," and "The Mature Mind: The Positive Power of the Aging Brain."

At the present, Dr. Cohen is the director of the Center on Aging, Health and Humanities at George Washington University where he also holds the positions of Professor of Health Care Sciences and Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences. He is the cofounder of the Creative Discovery Corps whose mission is to identify and preserve the creative accomplishments and rich histories of under-recognized talented older adults.

Both programs are co-sponsored by the Hennepin County Library and the Metropolitan Library Service Agency (MELSA).

Aging and Creativity Workshop @ Ridgedale Library

Nationally-known author and aging expert, Dr. Gene Cohen, will visit the Twin Cities area in late-January 2008 to speak on "The Mature Mind and Aging Brain: Positive Changes and Creativity in the Second Half of Life."

Monday, January 28, 7 - 9 p.m.
Ridgedale Library, 12601 Ridgedale Drive, Minnetonka
PUBLIC PROGRAM - OPEN TO ALL
Dr. Cohen will speak on latest research and findings on the subject of creativity and aging, highlighting elements in his most recent books. Dr. Cohen is a highly recognized professional in the area of aging and promotes the value and wisdom of age coupled with experience. There will be a drawing for his books (2) at the end of the program. No registration is required.

Tuesday, January 29, 8:30 a.m. - 11 a.m.
Ridgedale Library, 12601 Ridgedale Drive, Minnetonka
WORKSHOP FOR LIBRARY STAFF
(Open to staff throughout Minnesota. Please register in advance at http://www.melsa.org/member/workshop/index.cfm .
Dr. Cohen links the attributes, gifts and skill sets of the 55+ age population with library services and programs, including volunteer work, building planning, and intergenerational programming.

Dr. Cohen is a graduate of Harvard College and the Georgetown University School of Medicine and has a doctorate in Gerontology from the Union Institute. He is the author of more than 150 publications in the field of aging, including several edited text books. His individually authored books include, "The Brain in Human Aging," "The Creative Age: Awaking Human Potential in the Second Half of Life," and "The Mature Mind: The Positive Power of the Aging Brain."

At the present, Dr. Cohen is the director of the Center on Aging, Health and Humanities at George Washington University where he also holds the positions of Professor of Health Care Sciences and Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences. He is the cofounder of the Creative Discovery Corps whose mission is to identify and preserve the creative accomplishments and rich histories of under-recognized talented older adults.

Both programs are co-sponsored by the Hennepin County Library and the Metropolitan Library Service Agency (MELSA).

Read Across Minnesota

Read Across MN isa library advocacy program that invites elected officials to be guest readings. It’s an opportunity to highlight the role public libraries play in early childhood education with those who make funding decisions.

There are twenty $100 grants available for programs happening in 2008. Additional information will be available soon, or you can contact Kathleen James at MELSA for details at 651-645-5731 or kathleen@melsa.org.

Libraries and Civic Engagement

You are invited to a panel discussion on "Libraries and Civic Engagement" at 3:00 PM on Sept 10th, this event is free and open to the public.

WHAT: Libraries & Civic Engagement: A Panel Discussion

WHEN: Sept 10th, 3:00-4:30 PM

WHERE: Ramsey County Library, Roseville Branch (http://www.ramsey.lib.mn.us/)
2180 Hamline Avenue North, Roseville

WHO: Taylor Willingham*, Texas Forums, guest speaker
http://legislation.wikia.com/wiki/Taylor_Willingham
Melinda Ludwiczak**, Minneapolis Public Library
Coordinator for Civic Literacy Projects
Other panelists still to be announced.

WHY: To discuss the role of libraries as centers of civic activity and education.
To share stories and examples of how libraries are engaging the community in discussions about important issues.
For panelists and members of the audience will be to share their own thoughts
and stories on how libraries can partner with community organizations to stimulate civic education and participation.

Sponsored by:
E-Democracy.Org, http://www.e-democracy.org
The Metropolitan Library Association (MELSA), http://www.melsa.org/

*Taylor Willingham, a public engagement and change management consultant founded
Texas Forums, an initiative of the LBJ Library. She teaches Change Management for the
Graduate Library and Information Sciences distance education program at the University of
Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. She is a 2007 Fellow for the
University of Illinois Academy for Entrepreneurial Leadership
and will study civic entrepreneurship."

**Melinda Ludwiczak, Melinda was inspired in 1990 to bring people together for community
dialogue through the Star Tribune's Minnesota's Talking program spearheaded by Jeremy Iggers. Using the National Issues Forum (NIF) materials, she has facilitated several community dialogues, trained NIF practitioners, and participated in a Kettering Foundation research fellowship on Teaching Public Politics. She coordinates civic literacy projects for Minneapolis Public Library."