Their consensus is to choose one fiction book focusing on aging in other cultures and one non-fiction text that surveys American attitudes toward aging. She feels that, at this level, illustrations are more important than text. She works with a committee, including teachers, a parent, and a senior citizen volunteer. Dozens of books available from the local libraries are gathered, reviewed and discussed in a half-day session. Recommendations for purchase are made.
Librarians can conduct workshops for teachers, at both elementary and secondary levels.
After a brief introductory lecture, teachers read and rate books and discuss results. They leave with a greater awareness of ageism in literature and ways to combat it. In a sociology class, a number of books with varying ratings can be used as a reading list for student reports. To build sensitivity toward ageism, students are given copies of the evaluation form and expected to use it as a basis for reports. These steps are suggested for the use of the Guidelines and Analysis Form .