The library can be a social stomping ground for retirees

5 min read

Libraries do more than just lending. They are vibrant community hubs that are bursting with activities and events.

The thing about the workplace that some of us may not always appreciate while we're there is that it's a regular source of connection and purpose for people. That realisation may not arrive until retirement comes and you find you aren't getting the chats in like you used to and you're at a bit of a loss with how to spend your time.
For the latter, libraries present lots of options for solo activities – and it's not just the vast shelves of books on offer to read in solitary bliss. These days you can pick up all sorts from your local library, maybe even a musical instrument. But while you might not want to subject other people to your first forays into the tin whistle, libraries also have plenty of activities you can participate in as part of a group, sparking conversations and connections as you go.

Meeting points

The first step is to find your local library and see what's on offer. And you'll quickly realise that there really is something for all types – all you have to do is look.

For example, a quick perusal of events at Tipperary libraries will tell you that Nenagh Library has a Scrabble club and a crafting club, and hosts meetings of the Nenagh Active Retirement Association every second Thursday. There are also craft groups meeting weekly in Thurles and Cashel, a film club and chess club in Clonmel, and regular meet-ups for a chat and a sing-song on the fourth Thursday of every month at Killenaule Library.

"Most branches would also run monthly daytime book clubs," says Aisling Earley, library assistant with Dublin City Libraries' communications team.

"A lot of branches will do a senior movie screening once a month," she added. For example, Coolock Library's monthly Silver Screen event comes with tea, coffee and biscuits for those in attendance.

Dublin City Council (DCC) also launched its Wintering Well programme across its library network last year to support the wellbeing of communities during the darker months. Events last year included a book club on good reads for dark evenings with librarian and writer Jackie Lynam at Inchicore Library, and a talk from psychotherapist Mike Hackett on the psychology of creativity and its impact on wellbeing at Donaghmede Library.

Aisling assures me that this programme will return this winter, offering a social boon at a time when outdoor activities and meetups can start to drop off.

And as we head into the later months of the year, libraries will also be marking Positive Ageing Week from 25 September to 2 October, with events running across branches nationwide.

Tech talk

Your workplace might have been where you were picking up useful, practical skills, and there's no reason for that to stop if you have the appetite to keep learning post-retirement.

In fact, even if you want to keep up with the latest tech developments, libraries are a great place to start. Cyber safety instructors find them a great way to reach people and inform them of what they need to know to stay safe online, and the Age-Friendly AI programme has been touring branches across the country so that no one feels left behind as our digital touchpoints evolve.

Led by researchers and communications professionals, Age-Friendly AI hosts workshops, roadshow sessions and community discussions with older adults, not just to inform them on artificial intelligence and boost their tech literacy, but also to hear from them about their attitudes and tech experiences so that they are part of the national conversation on future developments.

Joining these workshops is a way to meet like-minded, curious people and even share skills and knowledge within your community.

A shared history

You can also make use of the national library network to share your stories of local history and character. A recent example of this was the Heritage Wall set up at Coolock Library for this year's Heritage Week.

A collaboration between Dublin City Council historian-in-residence Elizabeth Kehoe and local historian Gillian Ryan, the creation of this wall involved two memory-gathering sessions in the library to collect photographs, newspaper cuttings, mementoes and stories from patrons. A separate call-out was also made online requesting stories from anyone who couldn't make it to the library sessions.

The result went on display during Heritage Week in late August, showcasing local history as told by locals themselves. Stories of everyday life in this community from decades gone by were recounted and captured, alongside tributes to local celebrities and sports stars. There were also paintings of two local pubs provided by a regular attendee of the library art group.

Projects like this, taking place through libraries, offer many ways to contribute and connect. And they are enduringly popular.

"In 2024, another DCC historian in residence, Katie Blackwood, hosted a talk on factories of Coolock, which was probably the most well attended, in-demand event I’ve ever seen in my four years working in libraries," said Aisling. "We were inundated with calls and emails from ex-Cadbury workers who wanted to attend. Katie ended up giving this talk a few times to accommodate everyone."

And with Dublin Festival of History coming up from 26 September to 11 October, you can expect events like this and many more to be popping up around the capital.

Maybe you even have a gripe you want to air in public, and what better way to do it than through song? The Happy Notes Community Choir recently announced a Complaints Choir open night in Coolock Library, demonstrating that there really are no bounds to the type of events you can find in these multi-purpose community spaces.

So, while your local library could easily keep you occupied on a solitary basis with all they have on offer, don't forget to check out all the sociable activities and events they also have available. You never know what you might take from it. Who knows, you might even find an audience for your first ever tin whistle performance. (After some solo practice!)