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Core Bibliography Information Guide for the Bonus Years

Developed for the Arizona State Library, Archives and Public Records
by Milton T. Wolf
Head, Collection Management
University of Central Florida

Compiled by: Andrea Von Jares

      

Introduction

There are now in the United States an ever increasing number of people between the ages of 50-75 who no longer are as preoccupied as they once were with the primary tasks of adulthood: raising children, climbing the career ladder (or just making a living), paying food, clothing, education and shelter bills. This group, unlike earlier generations, has the actuarial hope of living, at least, another 30 years and retirement for them doesn’t mean endless rounds of golf or any other leisure activity. For this group, both a sociological and demographic phenomenon, often called the “Baby Boomers,” these bonus years are associated with “giving back” to their communities and to their country.

While these people are not wealthy, being largely from the American middle class, they have saved sufficiently, including their retirement benefits, and are healthy enough to see a horizon of about 30 years before them. Their material expectations are not great, they are comfortable, and these bonus years for them are “not” the last chance to move up the career ladder. This is, finally, a chance to do what they really want to do, to write their own modest script. And, for many of them, this previously unheard of stage in the life cycle, sometimes referred to as Second Adolescence, when identity no longer has to be defined as a “former” career or relationship (e.g., fireman, teacher, wife/husband) is a welcome opportunity to do things that are emotionally, even spiritually, satisfying.

For the first time in history a large mass of people have reached an aging majority where “community” and “friendship” have moved up the priority list, where “getting ahead” as a major force has been surpassed by the need to express love and kinship with others, where governmental institutions are measured by how much they contribute to community: security, clean air, ample and clean water, affordable health care, housing and education.

And this group means to contribute part of their bonus years to bringing these goals to fruition by “volunteering,” but these volunteers have no intention of being passive participants, they mean to be active in their second adolescence, they have a great storehouse of experience to bring to the table and they mean to play a “hands-on” role.

Unlike many previous generations of retirees, this group has inherited an extension of time to change their lives, to transform themselves, to make a difference. They are not socially motivated in order to get something (e.g., money, status, etc.), they’re involved so that they can “give.” They’re looking for emotional and spiritual satisfaction. They personify what Winston Churchill meant when he said, “We make a living by what we get. We make a life by what we give.”

If you feel that you are one of these people who want “to give back,” the following information guide of books, articles and websites will point you in the various directions that others have taken. Remember, this not about public success, but private fulfillment, giving yourself meaning. And only you can measure that.

Research points to two factors concerning personal contentment: 1) having a purpose, and 2) being connected. You have a finite amount of time; what do you want to do with it?

It’s not duty, but desire that rewards your bonus years, and you get to write the script. Out of dreaming comes purpose. Dreaming is a transforming activity that forces you to grow—inside and out. Imagination is your vehicle. As Einstein once remarked, “Imagination is more important than knowledge.”

It is for others, this gift of yours. By volunteering (not necessarily for no remuneration, but for a considerably reduced one: like transport to and from, lunch provided, or free parking), you immediately give to others. Who knows? Your gift may carry on to others in the future by setting a precedent, or leaving a legacy of example, of hope, of meaning, of inspiration!

This information guide is just a beginning, a template for us all to share and build. If you are a librarian working with your community and these issues, we encourage you to use this to highlight your collections, services and partners. If you are a library user, talk this over with your library staff and think about what items you would like to add from your own experiences. We hope to make this a centerpiece of a networked community interested in these issues and willing to add to this core bibliography.

Like Johnnie Appleseed, help us grow it by letting us know what you found on your journey to self-fulfillment in "giving back." And, feel free to incorporate a link to this guide into your own website or bibliography. As they say, pass it on!

From our Search page, you may search the bibliography database by category or other terms or view all entries.

To share information that you have found (e.g., books, articles, websites, etc.), you may enter information on our interactive web form, or send it to the following e-mail and/or postal address:

Arizona State Library, Archives and Public Records
ATTN: Carnegie Center
1101 West Washington St
Phoenix, AZ 85007
carnegie@lib.az.us

The bibliography is divided into the following categories:

Websites Category

You are not alone in your quest to improve things for others, to make a better community for you and yours. Of course, just like life, there is a lot of diversity and points of view about how this might best be done. Nevertheless, take a look at some of these organizations (check out their websites and their stated mission) and if you think you can make “common cause” with them, you might want to contact them to learn more about their goals and priorities. They might not be going all the way to your objective, but they might make good traveling companions for part of the journey.

Volunteer Category

There are many ways to make a difference, but one of the most effective contributions is one’s time and involvement. Since you no longer “have to” work, you want to work at things that you believe in, that give you satisfaction, that fulfill the essence of “giving back.”

For many organizations, you will be a volunteer that they haven’t really encountered before: a person with skills, experience, and a strong desire to contribute to making communities/organizations better, and who won’t necessarily assist them “for free”--even though you are willing to work for a lot less and for different goals. For example, you may give your talents to an organization for such things as: free parking (or parking close to the entrance), free lunches, flexible hours, free transportation to and from (especially important for those who have difficulty driving)—perhaps even for medical insurance.

Your recompense (besides feeling good) can be negotiated. After all, you are not just a warm body, but a person who has held significant positions in your lifetime and whose market value is considerably more than what you are willing to give to an organization that is willing to take advantage of you. This can be a win-win situation for organizations that are willing re-think the concept of volunteerism.

You are definitely at that time in your life, the bonus years, when you understand how to “love, honor, and negotiate!” You are in the vanguard of a sociological and demographic phenomenon and not everyone is going to understand how much you have to offer, so go ahead and explain yourself—and negotiate for your fulfillment!

Health and Fitness Category

Obviously if you are going to enjoy your “bonus years,” and be able to participate in whatever “give back” activities you choose to support, it will be important to maintain, maybe even improve, your daily health. So we have gathered a smattering of books and articles that address this constant and important issue. Keep in mind that this references only a small part of the information that is available, and may not address specific health conditions that are applicable to you.

Your local librarian can help you expand this list, even notify you when items of interest to you arrive. Remember, technology and medicine are deeply focused on the aging process, including the realization that sexual health and attitudes contribute to longer and more satisfying lives, so every so often re-check these lists of suggested readings for more up-to-date information. While a proper diet and some physical activity is almost universally recommended, don’t forget to feed the life of the mind, too, for it has been shown to extend life. And, of course, the benefits of humor should not be overlooked: it’s hard to die when you’re laughing!

Finance and Retirement Category

Just as with health issues, your financial stability during the “bonus years” is important to your continued ability to give back to others, for without good health and freedom from financial worry your good works and contributions may be severely impaired. Thus, we have provided some books and articles that will assist you in “keeping” what you have already earned so you can spend your time on your goals—not on money problems. And, if you happen to make a little bit more, too, then there might be a parting gift as well!

Education Category

Never before have so many older, mature people gone back to school, whether to get the high-school sheepskin finally, or a college or university degree. And, many of these seekers are not looking for another career, they are just interested in learning and applying that learning as a way of “giving back” to society.

Higher education, realizing this growing group of adults is matriculating, has begun to accommodate them. Some universities have gone so far as to create living quarters that are less like a dorm and more like homes; in fact, some actually have targeted this group with a number of enticements to make them feel very welcome. So, discard the old-fashioned notion that higher learning is for any particular age group. It isn’t! Take a walk around many campuses and you’ll see quite a diverse group of people of all ages, colors and temperaments. As the saying used to go, “educate a woman and you educate a family;” now it’s “educate a boomer, and you educate society.” There’s nothing like theory leavened by experience, and the classroom is all the better for it.

From our Search page, you may search the bibliography database by category or other terms or view all entries.

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