Purpose: The research is undertaken to help the Chinese public libraries answer the growing needs for library services to the elderly. Based on an investigation of the current situation of the services to older adults in China and a comparative analysis of the services in the U.S., we attempt to explore what improvements the Chinese public libraries can make to better serve the needs of older adults. Design/methodology/approach: We empirically analyzed the older adults services of 271 public libraries in China from 2002 to 2011 via con tent analysis of both the print materials such as the regulations and policies released by these libraries and the related information on the libraries’ websites and the Internet Web pages. Findings: Great strides have been made in the Chinese public libraries’ services to older adults in constructing service systems, providing facilities and equipment, exploring cooperative programming, and planning diversified and regularly scheduled activities. Compared with American counterparts, however, the Chinese public libraries need to catch up in understanding the elderly people as library users,planning customized services, formulating service guidelines and evaluation systems, and working with other local agencies for cooperative programming for seniors in communities. Research limitations: It is hard to collect more data covering more geographical areas and longer periods of time. The content analysis of libraries’ policies and regulations is a very rough approximation of the libraries’ “real” services. The study should be extended to visits to public libraries in the future. Practical implications: This study provides useful information for the Chinese library policymakers to formulate regulations and policies to provide services to older adults. Originality/value: To the best of our knowledge, the comprehensive survey reported in this paper is the first in-depth investigation of the current situation of public library services toolder adults in China,providing the analysis framework for more in-depth surveys in the future. Purpose: The research is undertaken to help the Chinese public libraries answer the growing needs for library services to the elderly. Based on an investigation of the current situation of the services to older adults in China and a comparative analysis of the services in the US, we attempt to explore what improvements the Chinese public libraries can make to better serve the needs of older adults. Design / methodology / approach: We empirically analyzed the older adults services of 271 public libraries in China from 2002 to 2011 via con tent analysis of both the print materials such as the regulations and policies released by these libraries and the related information on the libraries ’websites and the Internet Web pages. Findings: Great strides have been made in the Chinese public libraries’ services to older adults in constructing service systems, providing facilities and equipment, exploring cooperative programming, and planning diversified and regularly scheduled activities. Compar ed with American counterparts, however, the Chinese public libraries need to catch up in understanding the elderly people as library users, planning customized services, formulating service guidelines and evaluation systems, and working with other local agencies for cooperative programming for seniors in communities. Research limitations: It is hard to collect more data covering more geographical areas and longer periods of time. The content analysis of libraries ’policies and regulations is a very rough approximation of the libraries’ “real ” services. The study should be extended to Practical implications: This study provides useful information for the Chinese library policymakers to formulate regulations and policies to provide services to older adults. Originality / value: To the best of our knowledge, the comprehensive survey reported in this paper is the first in-depth investigation of the current situation of public library services toolder adults in China, providing the analysis framework for more in-depth surveys in the future.