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Navigating Generational Shift in Australian Librarianship

Explore the challenges and opportunities posed by generational changes in Australian librarianship from the viewpoints of Generation X. Understand the values, attitudes, and characteristics of Traditionalists, Baby Boomers, Generation X, and Generation Y in the library workforce. Gain insights on managing between the generations, addressing misunderstandings, and fostering a harmonious work environment for all.

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Navigating Generational Shift in Australian Librarianship

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  1. Generational Changein Australian Librarianship :Viewpoints from Generation X Sue Hutley Terena Solomons Manager Manager UQ Ipswich Library Hollywood Hospital Library

  2. Background ….

  3. Background • 2001 – potential shortage identified by United States • Managing between the generations • Different values, experiences, styles, and attitudes create • Misunderstandings • Frustrations

  4. Demographics Stanley Wilder says …..

  5. Australian Library Demographics

  6. Australian Library Demographics • 20% of Australian Librarian population may retire between 2005 and 2010 and, a further • 32% may retire between 2010 and 2020

  7. Australian Population Projections

  8. Four Generations • Traditionalists • Baby Boomers • Generation X • Generation Y

  9. Veterans / Traditionalists • Veterans / Traditionalists / Silent Generation (1922-1943) • "heads down, onward and upward" attitude live out a work ethic shaped during the Great Depression • Motivated by duty, tradition, and loyalty • Happiest when everyone is happy • Great mediators • Influences • Great Depression, Roaring Twenties, World War I &II, Korean War • Characteristics • Patriotic, loyal, “waste not, want not,” faith in institutions • Military influenced top-down approach • Value Logic and Discipline • Don’t Like Change • Want to Build a Legacy Key Word: Loyal

  10. Baby Boomers • Baby Boomers (1943 to 1960) • Vacillate between their overwhelming need to succeed and their growing desire to slow down and enjoy life • Experienced post-war optimism • Went to college/university in record numbers prolonged childhood stage and fosters idealistic 60s and 70s • Material well being • Favour status quo or incrementalism with decision making process • Have been described as self-absorbed, materialistic, and externally motivated • Have more workaholics than Gen X • Influences • Suburbia, TV, protests, human rights movement, drugs, and rock ‘n roll • Characteristics • Idealistic, COMPETITIVE, question authority • “Me” Generation • Money, Title, Recognition • Want to build a Stellar Career Key Word: Optimistic

  11. Generation X • Generation X (1961 to 1980) • Try to prove themselves constantly yet dislike the image of being overly ambitious, disrespectful, and irreverent • Tend to be skeptical, realistic, responsible, pragmatic, self-confident, independent thinkers who are not easily intimidated by authority • Believe work should be fun and value quality of life, working to live not living to work • More loyal to individuals than organizations • More likely to leave a job for higher salary than Boomers • Influences • Sesame Street, MTV, Game Boy, PC, divorce rate tripled, latch-key children • Characteristics • Eclectic, resourceful, self-reliant, distrustful of institutions • Highly adaptive to change and technology • Need a balance between work and life - Freedom • Flexible and Motivated • Want to Build a Portable Career Key Word: Skepticism

  12. Generation Y • Millennials, Generation Next, Digital Generation (1981 – 2000) • New to the workforce, mix savvy with social conscience and promise to further change the business landscape • Generation of consumers • Grew up with technology • Optimistic and goal oriented • Expect a 24/7 society/workplace • Favour multiple projects over one focused area • Thrive on challenging work and creative expression • “They are like Generation X on fast-forward with high self-esteem” • Influences • Expanded technology, natural disasters, violence, diversity • Characteristics • Globally concerned, realistic, cyber literate, “personal safety” is number one concern • Want work to be meaningful • Have been involved their entire life Key Word: Realistic

  13. Balance

  14. Reward

  15. Career

  16. Feedback

  17. Conclusions • Be aware of when retirements are going to happen • Work to ensure that skills and corporate knowledge don’t get left behind • Place strong emphasis on staff development initiatives • Encourage inclusion from both Gen X & Y librarians and library staff in decision making • Understand that the new generation of librarian and library staff need more freedom and trust and that they may not stay long if they don’t get it • Think about how you will encourage young people to become the librarians of the future

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