Library CARES Program For Partners

Welcome, Library Partners!

This is the Library Program’s landing page. Here, you can find materials and resources related to the AgeOptions FY2026 Library Program.

FY2026 Program Materials

Reporting documents and materials:

FY26 Library CARES Work Plan
Library Program FY26 Quarterly Reporting Form Template (as of September 23, 2025)
Library Program Evaluation Survey for FY26
- Instruction Document
- Link to Survey
- Paper Copy (Updated as of xx.xx.xx)
Video and Slides from the March 18, 2025, Q2 FY25 meeting
- Video
- Slides
Slides and Notes from the June 17, 2025, Q3 FY25 meeting
- Video
- Slides
Slides and Notes from the September 16, 2025, Q4 F25 meeting
- Slides
- Chat
Northstar Training #1 October 28, 2025
- Slides
- Video
  - http://bit.ly/4nIgRoZ
  - Passcode: ^J95d%WO
  - QR Code to view Video
Library CARES FY25 Kick-Off Meeting October 28, 2025
- Slides
Northstar Training #2 November 18, 2025
- Slides
- Video
  - Passcode: V8$3Pq#m
Northstar Training #3 December 9, 2025
- Slides
- Video

Click here to view quarterly calendars (Q1, Q2, Q3, or Q4) for mandatory partner meetings, a breakdown of the quarters in our grant year, and reporting due dates in FY2026.

Helpful Resources

Aging

Universal Design in Intergenerational Programming Toolkit– eliminating ageism and ableism (December 2024)
Reframing Aging Website
Reframing Aging Resources
Ageism Awareness Day, October 9, 2025
American Society on Aging — Age-Friendly Communication Guide (October 2025)
Pratt Institute Libraries LibGuides Inclusive Language (August 2025)
Age Positive Communication Toolkit, Office for Aging Well, SA Health (March 2024)

Dementia Resources

Dementia Inclusive Public Library Guide — Ohio Council for Cognitive Health
Dementia Friendly Homes Guide — Ohio Council for Cognitive Health
NCOA Fraud and Scams: The Top Five Financial Scams Targeting Older Adults, (Feb 2025)
Serving Patrons with Dementia and their Caregivers at the Library, Webinar Video link, LACONI, March 13, 2024
Making Dementia Friendly Libraries — Programming Librarian (June 25, 2025)
Library Services for Patrons with Alzheimer’s/Dementia, ALA
Alzheimer’s Association Community Education Program Menu as of June 2024

Falls Prevention Toolkit September 22-26, 2025

Food and Nutrition

Public-Librarianship-and-Food-Justice-Report (December 3, 2024)
Congregate Meal Sites (AgeOptions-Funded FY26)
Nutrition Site (AgeOptions-Funded) Detailed List
Chicago and Suburban Cook County Food Pantries (as of 12.03.24)
Greater Chicago Food Depository
Cook County Sheriff’s Office Cook County Emergency Food Pantries

Libraries are for Everyone

Little Bits of Library Kindness
See the newest LAFE printables with Older Adults!
- Libraries Are for Every Age
- Libraries Are for Everyone

Movies about Aging and Elderhood (Updated November 1, 2024)

Terra Nova Films On-Demand Collection
150+ Films on Aging and Elderhood (printable and clickable list of films on Aging and Elderhood)

Older Americans Month

Older Americans Month — Powered by Connection May 2024
Older Americans Month — Flip the Script on Aging May 2025

Partner Resources

Tax Assistance

Tax Assistance for Older Adults 2025
Ladder Up Tax Assistance for Older Adults FREE Tax Preparation of Federal and State Income Tax Returns for Illinois Residents earning up to $67,000 per year, $35,000 for individuals (as of November 6, 2024)
IRS’s Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) and Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) — VITA/TCE Locator Tool (as of 11.06.2024)
Low-Income Senior Citizens Assessment Freeze “Senior Freeze” (Maria Pappas, Cook County Treasurer’s Office, as of 11.06.2024)
The AARP Foundation Tax-Aide Locator is NOT yet available for the 2025-2026 tax year. AARP Foundation Tax-Aide offers free tax assistance to anyone, with a particular focus on taxpayers aged 50 and older who have low to moderate incomes. You don’t need to be an AARP member to use the service.