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

2. Background ….

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

5. Demographics
Stanley Wilder says …..

6. Australian Library Demographics

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

10. Australian Population Projections
5.14 POPULATION, Summary indicators
Units
1947
1971
2002
2021(a)
2051(a)
Total population
000
7,579.4
13,067.3
19,662.8
23,368.4
26,421.5
Proportion of population aged (years)
0-14 %
25.1
28.7
20.3
16.1
14.0
15-64
66.8
63.0
67.1
64.9
58.9
65-84
7.7
7.8
11.2
16.5
21.1
85 and over
0.4
0.5
1.4
2.5
6.0
Males per 100 females
no.
100.4
101.1
98.4
98.7
Median age
years
30.7
27.5
35.9
41.2
46.8
Proportion living in capital cities
51.2
63.2
63.9
64.5
66.6
(a) Series B population projections
Source: Australian Demographic Statistics (3101.0); Australian Demography, 1947; Population Projections, Australia (3222.0).

11. Four Generations Traditionalists Baby Boomers Generation X
Generation Y

12. Veterans / Traditionalists
Veterans / Traditionalists / Silent Generation ( )
"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

13. Baby Boomers Baby Boomers (1943 to 1960) Key Word: Optimistic
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

14. Generation X Generation X (1961 to 1980) Key Word: Skepticism
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

16. 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

17. Trad. Boomers GenX GenY Slogan “Keepers of the Grail”
“Thank God, its Monday”
“Work to Live”
“Upcoming Optimists”
Tech.
Unsure and resistant
Willing to learn
Techno Savvy
Technological Superior
Feeling toward super-visors
Respectful of authority
Non-authoritarian
Dislike close super- vision
Respectful of Traditionalists
Provide
Stable environment
Personal challenges
Feedback
Structure

18. Balance Balance Traditionalists Baby Boomers Generation X Generation Y
“Support me in shifting the balance”
Baby Boomers
“Help me balance everyone else and find meaning myself”
Generation X
“Give me balance now, not when I’m sixty-five.”
Generation Y
“Work isn’t everything ; flexibility to balance my activities is.”

19. Reward Reward Traditionalists “Satisfaction of job well done”
Baby Boomers
“Money, title, recognition”
Generation X
“Freedom!”
Generation Y
“Work that has meaning”

20. Career Career Path Traditionalists “Job changing has stigma”
Baby Boomers
“Job changing puts you behind”
Generation X
“Job changing is necessary”
Generation Y
“Doesn’t need to be a straight line”

21. Feedback Feedback Traditionalists “No news is good news” Baby Boomers
“Once a year whether needed or not, with lots of documentation”
Generation X
“Sorry to interrupt, but how am I doing?”
Generation Y
“Feedback whenever I want it at the touch of a button”

24. 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