Holly King, Public Services Librarian for the Orcas Island Library in Eastsound, is one of 19 librarians across Washington who have been selected as Fellows in a new program that aims to serve middle-age patrons, the Washington State Library has announced.

The program, called Transforming Life After 50, is funded by the U.S. Institute for Museum and Library Services.

The Fellowship began July 1 and runs through June 30, 2011. The year-long program is funded by a grant from the IMLS, Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian Program.

Led by a partnership among the state libraries of Washington, California, Idaho and Oregon, the Fellowship will introduce 93 selected public library professionals from 11 states to a new framework for serving and engaging midlife adults, ages 50 and above. The Fellowship will re-examine traditional views on aging and explore innovative ways in which public libraries can become centers of productive aging, lifelong learning, and civic engagement.