Social isolation and loneliness among older adults are serious public health issues—about one in three U.S. adults aged 50–80 report feeling lonely, and roughly 24% of those 65+ are socially isolated. These factors increase risks of dementia by 50%, heart disease by 29%, stroke by 32%, and premature death. The innovation addresses these challenges by making libraries more welcoming—improving facilities to reduce physical barriers, expanding programs that foster social connection and lifelong learning, and strengthening communication so older adults can engage fully. Libraries also serve as trusted access points for reliable information and digital literacy support, helping seniors navigate technology safely. Partnering with the Miami-Dade Age-Friendly Initiative amplifies these efforts, helping library leaders advocate for inclusive design and programming with elected officials and municipal managers.

In 2016, Miami-Dade launched the Miami-Dade Age-Friendly Initiative, a countywide partnership that includes AARP Florida, the Alliance for Aging, the Florida Department of Health, the Health Foundation of South Florida, the Miami-Dade Transportation Planning Organization, United Way Miami, and Urban Health Partnerships. The Initiative promotes sustainable improvements that help older adults live active, engaged, and healthy lives with dignity and enjoyment. Building on this effort, the Library collaborated with the Initiative to develop the Age-Friendly Library Certification Toolkit, a practical guide and rubric that helps libraries assess how well they meet seniors’ needs in accessibility, programming, communication, and staff engagement. The toolkit offers a framework for continuous improvement and recognition of age-friendly practices. Next steps include partnering with community groups to provide awareness and sensitivity training for staff.

The Age-Friendly Library Certification Toolkit has already demonstrated measurable impact. The Miami-Dade Public Library System achieved Gold-level certification, one of four recognition tiers (Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum), reflecting strong performance across accessibility, programming, and engagement criteria. The toolkit’s launch event brought together libraries across the county, inspiring the independent City of North Miami Beach Library to begin its own certification process. The Miami-Dade Age-Friendly Initiative is now sharing this model with other partners statewide to encourage adoption. Internally, staff reported renewed awareness of older adults’ needs—particularly in facilities planning—and enthusiasm for improving inclusivity across all services. Feedback underscores a shared commitment to making every library a welcoming and supportive space for all ages.