Author Caitrin Lynch at the Library

The will host Olin College professor Caitrin Lynch on Wednesday, May 23 at 7:30 p.m. Lynch will discuss her latest book, "Retirement on the Line: Age, Work and Value in an American Factory."

In an era when people live longer and want (or need) to work past the traditional retirement age, the Vita Needle Company of Needham provides inspiration and important les­sons about the value of older workers. In "Retire­ment on the Line," Lynch explores what this unusual company’s commitment to an elderly workforce means for the employer, the workers, the community, and society more generally.

Benefiting from nearly five years of fieldwork at Vita Needle, Lynch offers an intimate portrait of the people who work there, a nuanced explanation of the company’s hiring practices, and a cogent analysis of how the workers’ experi­ences can inform our understanding of aging and work in the 21st century.

Books will be available for purchase and autographing courtesy of Wellesley Books. This program is sponsored by the Needham Free Public Library. For more information, call the library at 781-455-7559.