The Evolving Library Michelle Kraft MLS, AHIP 2009 MLGSCA Technology Symposium Cerritos, CA

Evolution Sociocultural evolution is a term for theories describing how cultures and societies have developed over time. Human social behaviours are learned in a social environment and through social interaction Change is inevitable - Wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sociocultural_evolution

Sociocultural evolution is a term for theories describing how cultures and societies have developed over time.

Human social behaviours are learned in a social environment and through social interaction

Change is inevitable

The Library as an Ecosystem

So Why Is This Important The evolution of library users The individual is evolving Large increase in already “evolved” users

The evolution of library users

The individual is evolving

Large increase in already “evolved” users

User Demographics Seniors 1925-1945 (ages 64-84) Baby Boomers 1946-1964 (ages 45-63) Gen X 1965-1980 (ages 29-44) Millennials 1981-2000 (ages 9-28)‏ -Forrester Research. The Emerging Work and Implications For Training. 2005

Seniors

1925-1945 (ages 64-84)

Baby Boomers

1946-1964 (ages 45-63)

Gen X

1965-1980 (ages 29-44)

Millennials

1981-2000 (ages 9-28)‏

Net Generation Gen X and Millennials are the “Net Generation” Born with technology Always known cheap, quick communication Prefers to work in peer groups Little tolerance for delays Multi-taskers Used to experimenting, prefer experiences to create knowledge

Gen X and Millennials are the “Net Generation”

Born with technology

Always known cheap, quick communication

Prefers to work in peer groups

Little tolerance for delays

Multi-taskers

Used to experimenting, prefer experiences to create knowledge

Net Learners Seniors and Baby Boomers make up the “Net Learners.” Had to learn technology, usually along side the Net Generation Keeps land line, cell phone not primary phone Prefers individual work Shows more patience, happy when technology works Used to receiving information linearly Less experimenting, prefer instructions

Seniors and Baby Boomers make up the “Net Learners.”

Had to learn technology, usually along side the Net Generation

Keeps land line, cell phone not primary phone

Prefers individual work

Shows more patience, happy when technology works

Used to receiving information linearly

Less experimenting, prefer instructions

Tipping of the Scales Gen X and Millennials make up a large group of users or potential users. 88 million people born between 1977-1997 Now 27% of the U.S. population 85 million Baby Boomers were bon Now 23% of the U.S. population -Grown Up Digital: How the Net Generation is Changing Your World by Don Tapscott.

Gen X and Millennials make up a large group of users or potential users.

88 million people born between 1977-1997

Now 27% of the U.S. population

85 million Baby Boomers were bon

Now 23% of the U.S. population

Different World View

Online Uses and Expectations “ Our generation shops online, dates online, takes classes [online], yet we still need to drive to the municipal office to pay for a dog license.” -”The Net Generation.” Government Technology. Oct . 2006

“ Our generation shops online, dates online, takes classes [online], yet we still need to drive to the municipal office to pay for a dog license.”

Online Uses and Expectations “ If you aren't going to make it easy for me, I am not going to try it. I have enough hoops to jump through during the day to deal with.” - Mike Kraft. Trying to sync Google Calendar with his iPhone

“ If you aren't going to make it easy for me, I am not going to try it. I have enough hoops to jump through during the day to deal with.”

What? It isn’t Online!?

Two User Types & One Library Net Learners come to the library to search or read Technology makes research easier but isn't a requirement

Net Learners come to the library to search or read

Technology makes research easier but isn't a requirement

Two User Types & One Library Net Generation wants the library to come to them They can research or read when and where they want to Technology required for research

Net Generation wants the library to come to them

They can research or read when and where they want to

Technology required for research

Library and User Evolution In the past patrons came to the library, now the library comes to the patrons.

In the past patrons came to the library, now the library comes to the patrons.

What To Do? Critical eye Look at sacred cows Road Trip Network Plan Needs Assesment SWOT analysis

Critical eye

Look at sacred cows

Road Trip

Network

Plan

Needs Assesment

SWOT analysis

What To Do? Copy Others Fine if works for you library Asses Implementing Need technology? Change library space?

Copy Others

Fine if works for you library

Asses Implementing

Need technology?

Change library space?

It Isn’t All Technology University of Rochester Gleason Library

University of Rochester Gleason Library

What To Do? Get Moving Don’t plan to death Not librarian input Users and non-users Different age groups Different professions

Get Moving

Don’t plan to death

Not librarian input

Users and non-users

Different age groups

Different professions

Reach Your Users

Get Out! Start or do more outreach What keeps you in your office at your desk? Is it really important? Things are just fine the way they are? Could things be done better?

Start or do more outreach

What keeps you in your office at your desk?

Is it really important?

Things are just fine the way they are?

Could things be done better?

Different Users = Different Approaches

Different Outreach Approaches Both groups learn completely differently Net Learners – use instructions, think linearly Net Generation – multi-task, experiment Both groups communicate differently Net Learners – usually one conversation, face to face, phone, email Net Generation – multiple convesations, email, text, phone

Both groups learn completely differently

Net Learners – use instructions, think linearly

Net Generation – multi-task, experiment

Both groups communicate differently

Net Learners – usually one conversation, face to face, phone, email

Net Generation – multiple convesations, email, text, phone

Different Outreach Approaches Two types of hands on instruction Linear, instructor led, detailed handouts Experimental, sideline coach, quick reference Different instructional aids Handouts, step by step Videos, self guided tutorials

Two types of hands on instruction

Linear, instructor led, detailed handouts

Experimental, sideline coach, quick reference

Different instructional aids

Handouts, step by step

Videos, self guided tutorials

Different Outreach Approaches Different learning objectives How to use technology to accomplish goals Who to call for help Technology won’t accomplish all goals When to call for help

Different learning objectives

How to use technology to accomplish goals

Who to call for help

Technology won’t accomplish all goals

When to call for help

Different Outreach Approaches Different elevator speeches Like to know you can help Have the resources to save them time Specifically how can you help Already saving time, but would like to save more

Different elevator speeches

Like to know you can help

Have the resources to save them time

Specifically how can you help

Already saving time, but would like to save more

Different Outreach Approaches Both groups food and prize driven Lunch and learn Different food Different times Gift cards Different types of gift cards Free Parking – seems to work for everyone

Both groups food and prize driven

Lunch and learn

Different food

Different times

Gift cards

Different types of gift cards

Free Parking – seems to work for everyone

Evaluate Listen for feedback Usage statistics Engage in conversations

Listen for feedback

Usage statistics

Engage in conversations

Rinse and Repeat Change is inevitable Policies Technology Patron characteristics Always opportunities for growth Hospital projects Residency requirements Daily job Don’t be afraid to make changes

Change is inevitable

Policies

Technology

Patron characteristics

Always opportunities for growth

Hospital projects

Residency requirements

Daily job

Don’t be afraid to make changes

Questions?