Gen X Librarians: Leading From the Middle

Gen X Librarians:Leading From the Middle
Lisa Carlucci Thomas
Digital Services Librarian, Southern Connecticut State University
Karen Sobel
Reference & Instruction Librarian, University of Colorado Denver
Nina McHale
Web Librarian, University of Colorado Denver

Introduction
Generation X and Technology (Nina)
Generation X at Work (Karen)
Generation X and Leadership (Lisa)

Introduction
Generational Generalizations…
Analyzing general qualities of groups of people can be positive and helpful
Generational diversity can be a positive element of the workplace (Jason Martin)
Assigning traits of a generation to and making assumptions about individuals can be hurtful and counterproductive
There are 20-something “digital novices” and 80-year-old “tech gurus”

Introduction
Generation Terminology
Traditionalists
born before mid-1940s
Baby Boomers
born mid-1940s-early 1960s
Generation X
born early/mid-1960s-early 1980s
Generation Y/Millennials
born early 1980s-early 2000s

Generation X and Technology
Growing Up (Along) With Technology
Gen X librarians developed technology skills as necessary as computers were introduced for research and productivity in school and work environments
Earlier generations generally added computer skills to their professional skills after completing college and joining the work force
Gen Y/Millennials have used computers since childhood

Growing Up (Along) With Technology
When computers entered their lives:
Boomer librarians – after their educations
Gen X librarians – during their educations
Gen Y librarians – before or toward the beginning of their educations

Gen X’s Increasing Access to Computers
1984: 15.3% of 3-17 year olds had computer access
1993: 31.9% of the same group had access
“…during this ten-year period, Generation Xers aged from early teens into twenty-somethings.”
-Marisa Urgo, Developing Information Leaders: Harnessing the Talents of Generation X

Generation X: Between Two Worlds
Typewriters and Word Processors
Card catalogs and OPACs
Print and Electronic
Analog and Digital
Traditional and Social

Parallels in Personal Lives
There has always been a generation in the middle, *but*… tech adds a new dimension.
The “Sandwich Generation”
Added to Merriam-Webster dictionary in 2006
Tech support for parents and grandparents

Gen X Attitudes Toward Technology
Proficient with technology
Accepting of change and desire to improve systems
According to Pew Research Center, Gen X is the most likely group to “bank, shop, and look for health information online”
Connecting traditional institutions and new modes of communication

Generation X at Work
More About The Sandwich Generation
Two “sandwich” perspectives:
In the library instruction classroom
Interactions among librarian colleagues

Bridging Gaps in the Classroom
Mix of Boomers, Gen X, and Gen Y
Many commuters
Many parents
Mix of income brackets & levels of education

Generalizations…
How (Do?) we make them?
How can they assist our students?

Learning computer skills and content simultaneously

During their educations, Gen X:
Learned to use computers
Learned other educational technologies
Researched in print
Researched online
Used many print and electronic formats
Used the card catalog!
Learned to *adapt*

Bridging Gaps in the Workplace
Generation X:
“I like technology, but I’m not an addict.”

What does it mean to say:
“I’m not a computer person”?

Gen X Librarians lead in:
Technology-related task forces
Digitization projects

Gen X “Training the Trainer”
Programs such as the “23 Things”
Group training on new technologies
One-on-one tech tutoring

Generation X and Leadership
Making History
Never before – 4 generations in workplace
Generation X:
In the middle of this organizational dynamic
Rising into management positions
Unique values = unique benefit

Generation X: Making History
20th Century Generations
Traditionalists - 39 million
Boomers – 78 million
Generation X – 44 million
Millennials – 70 million
Generation X is smallest entry wave of workers since 1930s
Likewise, smallest entry wave of managers in leadership roles in organizations now

Generation X: Making History
What are the work values of Gen X?
How do these values shape Gen X leadership behaviors?
What is the benefit to organizations?

Work Values
Independence
Innovation
Individualism
How do these values shape the leadership behaviors of Gen X?

Leadership Behaviors
Independence
Loyal to profession
Require personal/professional life balance
Self-driven and self-motivated
“Xers … are eager to update knowledge and its application into their work.” - (Yu 4)

Innovation
Flexible, entrepreneurial
Apply skills in new contexts to achieve goals
Think “outside the box”
“[Gen X] Uses the power of information technology to maintain competitive advantage” - (Dunne 3)

Individualism
Define own paths for personal fulfillment
Work is a “lifestyle decision”
Not tied into traditional career development goals
“Personal fulfillment is intrinsically linked to professional success” - (Feyerherm 1)

Leading from the Middle
Promoting Innovation
Seek challenges, integrate lifelong learning
Mediating Change
Building relationships, mentoring, training
Translating Cultural Norms
Making a difference, leaving a legacy

Generation X
Self-centered, skeptical, slackers?
Independent, innovative, individuals?

Generation X
Dedicated, savvy, leaders
Integrated attitudes about personal/professional fulfillment, cultural and workplace diversity
Promoting lifelong learning by bringing fresh perspectives, transitioning from old/new models
Opening new doors for subsequent generations

Thank You!
Digital Services Librarian
Southern Connecticut State University
ThomasL10@southernct.edu @lisacarlucci
Karen Sobel
Reference & Instruction Librarian
University of Colorado Denver
Karen.Sobel@ucdenver.edu
Nina McHale
Web Librarian
University of Colorado Denver
Nina.McHale@ucdenver.edu
@ninermac

References
DeLong, Katheleen. “The Engagement of New Library Professionals in Leadership.” Journal of Academic Librarianship 35.5 (2009): 445-456.
Dunne, Matt. “Policy Leadership, Gen X Style.” National Civic Review 86.3 (1997).
Feyerherm, Ann, and Yvonne H. Vick. “Generation X Women in High Technology.” Career Development International 10.3 (2005): 216-227.
Gesell, Izzy. “How to Lead When the Generation Gap Becomes Your Everyday Reality.” Journal for Quality & Participation (January 2010) 21-24.
Hutley, Sue, and TerenaSolomons. “Generational Change in Australian Librarianship: Viewpoints from Generation X.” Paper presented at ALIA 2004.
Martin, Jason. “I Have Shoes Older than You: Generational Diversity in the Library,” The Southeastern Librarian 54.3 (2006): 4-11.
McIntosh-Elkins, Jeni, and McRitchie, Karen, and Maureen Scoones. “From the Silent Generation to Generation X, Y, and Z: Strategies for Managing the Generation Mix.” Proceedings of the 35th Annual Association for Computing Machinery User Services Conference (SIGUCCS), 2007.
O’Connor, Steve. “The heretical library manager for the future.” Library Management 28.1/2 (2007): 62-71.
Pew Research Center. “Generations Online in 2009.” http://www.pewinternet.org/Reports/2009/Generations-Online-in-2009.aspx

References
Polsson, Ken. “Chronology of Personal Computers.” http://pctimeline.info
Robbins, LaToya M. “Bridging the Gap in Leadership Development within Generation X and Y.” Seminar Research Paper Presented to the Graduate Faculty, University of Wisconsin-Platteville, 2008.
Seaton, L. Jeff, and Boyd, Michael. “The Organizational Leadership of the Post Baby Boom Generation: An Upper Eschelon Theory Approach.” Academy of Entrepreneurship Journal 13.2 (2007): 69-78.
Sessa, Valerie, et. al. “Generational Differences in Leader Values and Leadership Behaviors.” Psychologist-Manager Journal 10.1 (2007): 47-74.
Spence, Lisa A. “Preferences for Leader Traits and Leadership Communication Styles Among Members of Different Generational Cohorts.” Thesis Presented to the Faculty in Communication and Leadership Studies, School of Professional Studies, Gonzaga University, 2009.
Urgo, Marissa. Developing Information Leaders: Harnessing the Talents of Generation X.
Yu, Huichun, and Peter Miller. “Leadership Style – The X Generation and Baby Boomers compared in different cultural contexts.” Graduate College of Management Papers, Southern Cross University, 2005.

Gen X Librarians:Leading From the Middle
Digital Services Librarian, Southern Connecticut State University
Karen Sobel
Reference & Instruction Librarian, University of Colorado Denver
Nina McHale
Web Librarian, University of Colorado Denver

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Gen X Librarians: Leading From the Middle

by Lisa Carlucci Thomas on Apr 13, 2010

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