Presented at GaCOMO15 by Holly Heitman, Kathryn Greer, Richard Horah. Presentation explores the characteristics and stereotypes of the different generations, consider the implications of embracing a multi-generational workplace, and propose strategies for successful teambuilding, training, and management.

1. Generational Diversity in the Library Workplace:
Challenges and Opportunities
Flickr photo, Monterey Public Library Staff, March 19, 2009
License - https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/
Holly Heitman, MA, MLIS
Richard Horah, M.Ed., MLIS
Kat Greer, MLIS
GaCOM0, October 8, 2015

2. What is a generation?
 The entire body of
individuals born and living at
about the same time
(from Dictionary.com,
http://dictionary.reference.com/
browse/generation)
 May include shared cultural
and societal events, trends,
icons, attitudes, opinions,
and technologies

3. The Primary Four
Pew Research Center
http://www.pewsocialtrends.org/2015/03/19/comparing-millennials-to-other-generations/#!

4. Traditionalists (aka Matures, Seniors,
Silents, Veterans)
 Born 1928-1945
 Events/Trends/Technology
 Great Depression
 World War II; rationing; women
enter work force to replace men
who’ve gone to war
 Korean Conflict
 McCarthyism
 Telephone, radio, automobile
 Swing, Big Band
Flickr photo by David Shankbone, May 10, 2010
License - https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/
One of our
favorite
Golden Girls –
Betty White

5. Baby Boomers (aka “Me” Generation)
 Born 1946-1964
 Events/Trends/Technology
 Television & movies; touch-tone
Phones
 Assassinations of JFK, MLK, Jr., RFK
 Vietnam War & Cold War
 Walk on the Moon
 Civil Rights, Women’s &
Environmental Movements
 Watergate & Nixon Resignation
 “Sex, Drugs, & Rock ‘n Roll,”
Woodstock
Flickr photo by Christopher Dilts, Obama for America, August 2, 2012
https://www.flickr.com/search/?text=barack%20obama
License - https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/2.0/
Barack Obama

6. Generation X (aka Xers; Post Boomers;
The 13th Generation)
 Born 1965-1980
 Events/Trends/Technology
 Challenger disaster
 Fall of the Berlin Wall
 Operation Desert Storm
 AIDS
 Rise of the personal computer &
video games (Gameboy, etc.)
 VHS, Cable TV, CNN, & MTV
 Disco, Heavy Metal
 “Latchkey Kids”
 “Digital Immigrants”
Flickr photo by mirsasha, March 12, 2010
License - https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/2.0/
Steffi Graff

7. Millennials (aka Generation Y; Echo
Boomers; Generation Next; 24/7s)
 Born 1981-1996
 Events/Trends/Technology
 Oklahoma City Bombing & 9/11
 Columbine & Virginia Tech Shootings
 Hurricane Katrina
 First ”Digital Natives” (embraced
computers, Internet, smartphones)
 Rise of social media/networking
(MySpace, Facebook, Twitter, Flickr,
YouTube, Wikipedia )
 CDs>iPods, DVDs, tablets, e-books,
Napster
 Online gaming comes of age; Wii
 Embraces diversityFlickr photo by Maurizio Pesce, FB F8 Conference, April 30, 2014
License - https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/
Mark Zuckerberg

8. And One (Two?) to Grow On…
 Generation Z
 Born 1997-2009
 “War on Terror”
 Recession & global warming
 True “Digital Natives”
 Mobile & cloud computing
 Media streaming & 3-D printing
 Tech-dependent
 Split-tasking
 Personal drones & driverless cars?
 Alpha Generation?
 Born in 2010 or after Malala Yousafzai
Flickr photo, Southbank Centre, March 8, 2014
License - https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/

9. Generational Impact on the
Library Workplace
 Recruitment
 Training
 Management
 Conflict and Morale
 Productivity
 Customer Service
 Job Satisfaction
 Retention
 Fiscal
Flickr photo by Corey Seeman, June 26, 2013.
Kresge Library, University of Michigan.
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/2.0/

10. Survive and Thrive:
Strategies
 Accentuate the Positive,
Eliminate the Negative
 Learn/Respect/Utilize
Communication Preferences
 Policy Development
 Modify Management Styles
 Activities/Team-Building
 Praise, Recognition, Credit,
Contribution, Autonomy, Ownership
 Don’t Forget the Cupcakes!

11. References
Ambrose, E. (2015). It’s never too late to learn. AARP Bulletin, 56(2), 26-28.
Bennett, J., Pitt, M., & Price, S. (2012). Understanding the impact of generational
issues in the workplace. Facilities, 30(7/8), 278-288.
Bloomquist, C. (2014, May/June). Mentoring Gen-X librarians. Public Libraries
Online, 1-12.
Johnson, M. & Johnson, L. (2010). Generations, Inc.: From Boomers to Linksters –
managing the friction between generations at work. New York, NY: Amacom.
Lloyd-Jones, B. & Worley, J. A. (2014). Intergenerational tensions in the workforce.
In M. Y. Byrd & C. L. Scott (Eds.), Diversity in the workforce: Current issues and
emerging trends (pp. 218-248). New York, NY: Routledge.
Martin, J. (2006). I have shoes older than you: Generational diversity in the library.
The Southeastern Librarian, 54(3), 4-11.
McKinlay, J. & Williamson, V. (2010). The ART of people management in libraries:
Tips for managing your most vital resource. Oxford, UK: Chandos Publishing.
Mor-Barak, M. E. (2005). Managing diversity: Toward a globally inclusive workplace.
Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications, Inc.

12. References
Page, S. E. (2007). The difference: How the power of diversity creates better
groups, firms, schools, and societies. Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press.
Park, B., Scott, R., & Schnabel, J. (2014). Generations in Tennessee libraries.
Tennessee Libraries, 64(3), 1-9.
Raines, C. & Hunt, J. (2000). The Xers and the Boomers: From adversaries to allies –
A diplomat’s guide. Menlo Park, CA: Crisp Publications, Inc.
Wallace, M. K., Tolley-Stokes, R., & Estep, E. S. (Eds.) (2011). The Generation X
librarian: Essays on leadership, technology, pop culture, social responsibility
and professional identity. Jefferson, NC: McFarland & Company, Inc.
Zemke, R., Raines, C., & Filipczak, B. (2000). Generations at work: Managing the
clash of Veterans, Boomers, Xers, and Nexters in your workplace. New York, NY:
Amacom.

13. Contact Us:
Holly R. Heitman, MA, MLIS
Assistant Department Head for Access Services & Information Commons
Georgia Gwinnett College Library
hheitman@ggc.edu
Richard Horah, M.Ed., MLIS
Information Specialist
DoDEA/Pierce Terrace Elementary School
richard.horahmls@gmail.com
Kathryn Greer, MLIS
Systems & Digital Content Librarian
Georgia Gwinnett College Library
kgreer1@ggc.edu