1.
The Evolving Library Michelle Kraft MLS, AHIP 2009 MLGSCA Technology Symposium Cerritos, CA

2.
Evolution <ul><li>Sociocultural evolution is a term for theories describing how cultures and societies have developed over time. </li></ul><ul><ul><li>Human social behaviours are learned in a social environment and through social interaction </li></ul></ul><ul><ul><li>Change is inevitable </li></ul></ul>- Wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sociocultural_evolution

3.
The Library as an Ecosystem

4.
So Why Is This Important <ul><li>The evolution of library users </li></ul><ul><ul><li>The individual is evolving </li></ul></ul><ul><ul><li>Large increase in already “evolved” users </li></ul></ul>

5.
User Demographics <ul><li>Seniors </li></ul><ul><ul><li>1925-1945 (ages 64-84) </li></ul></ul><ul><li>Baby Boomers </li></ul><ul><ul><li>1946-1964 (ages 45-63) </li></ul></ul><ul><li>Gen X </li></ul><ul><ul><li>1965-1980 (ages 29-44) </li></ul></ul><ul><li>Millennials </li></ul><ul><ul><li>1981-2000 (ages 9-28)‏ </li></ul></ul>-Forrester Research. The Emerging Work and Implications For Training. 2005

6.
Net Generation <ul><li>Gen X and Millennials are the “Net Generation” </li></ul><ul><li>Born with technology </li></ul><ul><li>Always known cheap, quick communication </li></ul><ul><li>Prefers to work in peer groups </li></ul><ul><li>Little tolerance for delays </li></ul><ul><li>Multi-taskers </li></ul><ul><li>Used to experimenting, prefer experiences to create knowledge </li></ul>

7.
Net Learners <ul><li>Seniors and Baby Boomers make up the “Net Learners.” </li></ul><ul><li>Had to learn technology, usually along side the Net Generation </li></ul><ul><li>Keeps land line, cell phone not primary phone </li></ul><ul><li>Prefers individual work </li></ul><ul><li>Shows more patience, happy when technology works </li></ul><ul><li>Used to receiving information linearly </li></ul><ul><li>Less experimenting, prefer instructions </li></ul>

8.
Tipping of the Scales <ul><li>Gen X and Millennials make up a large group of users or potential users. </li></ul><ul><ul><li>88 million people born between 1977-1997 </li></ul></ul><ul><ul><ul><li>Now 27% of the U.S. population </li></ul></ul></ul><ul><ul><li>85 million Baby Boomers were bon </li></ul></ul><ul><ul><ul><li>Now 23% of the U.S. population </li></ul></ul></ul>-Grown Up Digital: How the Net Generation is Changing Your World by Don Tapscott.

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Different World View

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Online Uses and Expectations <ul><li>“ 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.” </li></ul>-”The Net Generation.” Government Technology. Oct . 2006

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Online Uses and Expectations <ul><li>“ 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.” </li></ul>- Mike Kraft. Trying to sync Google Calendar with his iPhone

12.
What? It isn’t Online!?

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

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

15.
Library and User Evolution <ul><li>In the past patrons came to the library, now the library comes to the patrons. </li></ul>

16.
What To Do? <ul><li>Critical eye </li></ul><ul><ul><li>Look at sacred cows </li></ul></ul><ul><ul><li>Road Trip </li></ul></ul><ul><ul><li>Network </li></ul></ul><ul><li>Plan </li></ul><ul><ul><li>Needs Assesment </li></ul></ul><ul><ul><li>SWOT analysis </li></ul></ul>

17.
What To Do? <ul><li>Copy Others </li></ul><ul><ul><li>Fine if works for you library </li></ul></ul><ul><li>Asses Implementing </li></ul><ul><ul><li>Need technology? </li></ul></ul><ul><ul><li>Change library space? </li></ul></ul>

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It Isn’t All Technology <ul><li>University of Rochester Gleason Library </li></ul>

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

20.
Reach Your Users

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

22.
Different Users = Different Approaches

23.
Different Outreach Approaches <ul><li>Both groups learn completely differently </li></ul><ul><ul><li>Net Learners – use instructions, think linearly </li></ul></ul><ul><ul><li>Net Generation – multi-task, experiment </li></ul></ul><ul><li>Both groups communicate differently </li></ul><ul><ul><li>Net Learners – usually one conversation, face to face, phone, email </li></ul></ul><ul><ul><li>Net Generation – multiple convesations, email, text, phone </li></ul></ul>

24.
Different Outreach Approaches <ul><li>Two types of hands on instruction </li></ul><ul><ul><li>Linear, instructor led, detailed handouts </li></ul></ul><ul><ul><li>Experimental, sideline coach, quick reference </li></ul></ul><ul><li>Different instructional aids </li></ul><ul><ul><li>Handouts, step by step </li></ul></ul><ul><ul><li>Videos, self guided tutorials </li></ul></ul>

25.
Different Outreach Approaches <ul><li>Different learning objectives </li></ul><ul><ul><li>How to use technology to accomplish goals </li></ul></ul><ul><ul><ul><li>Who to call for help </li></ul></ul></ul><ul><ul><li>Technology won’t accomplish all goals </li></ul></ul><ul><ul><ul><li>When to call for help </li></ul></ul></ul>

26.
Different Outreach Approaches <ul><li>Different elevator speeches </li></ul><ul><ul><li>Like to know you can help </li></ul></ul><ul><ul><ul><li>Have the resources to save them time </li></ul></ul></ul><ul><ul><li>Specifically how can you help </li></ul></ul><ul><ul><ul><li>Already saving time, but would like to save more </li></ul></ul></ul>

27.
Different Outreach Approaches <ul><li>Both groups food and prize driven </li></ul><ul><ul><li>Lunch and learn </li></ul></ul><ul><ul><ul><li>Different food </li></ul></ul></ul><ul><ul><ul><li>Different times </li></ul></ul></ul><ul><ul><li>Gift cards </li></ul></ul><ul><ul><ul><li>Different types of gift cards </li></ul></ul></ul><ul><ul><li>Free Parking – seems to work for everyone </li></ul></ul>

28.
Evaluate <ul><li>Listen for feedback </li></ul><ul><li>Usage statistics </li></ul><ul><li>Engage in conversations </li></ul>

29.
Rinse and Repeat <ul><li>Change is inevitable </li></ul><ul><ul><li>Policies </li></ul></ul><ul><ul><li>Technology </li></ul></ul><ul><ul><li>Patron characteristics </li></ul></ul><ul><li>Always opportunities for growth </li></ul><ul><ul><li>Hospital projects </li></ul></ul><ul><ul><li>Residency requirements </li></ul></ul><ul><ul><li>Daily job </li></ul></ul><ul><li>Don’t be afraid to make changes </li></ul>

30.
Questions?