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The demographic development shows that the proportion of senior citizens in the German population is growing. Therefore, this section of the population becomes more and more significant and it is important to deal with this target group. The offers which libraries can develop for the target group of senior citizens depend on the respective local prerequisites and the resources of each library (personnel, budget, premises). Senior citizens are a heterogeneous group of several generations, characterised by different interests and levels of education, as well as different intellectual and physical conditions. The library should develop its range of offers within a concept with clear objectives to make it successful. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As part of the Alliance for Lifelong Learning the state of Baden-Württemberg promotes innovative forms of training and provides, among other things, a virtual learning environment based on ILIAS (German for 'Integrated Learning, Information and Work Cooperation System'). On that basis the public library of Ludwigsburg has designed its own learning platform which is adapted to its individual needs. Since mid-July 2013, library users have been able to gain access to language, business and computer courses with a valid library card, regardless of time and location. The article describes the framework of the Ludwigsburg project and gives an insight into its latest developments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses several lectures that focused on library user behavior and on services for library users. The lectures were held at the 100th German librarians' retreat that took place in Berlin, Germany in June 2011. The main lecture, given by the librarian Lynn Connaway, focused on providing library users with certain tools and services, eliminating barriers preventing library users from accessing certain services, and encouraging library users to learn how to use the internet resources.