This is a presentation I presented at Library conference last week detailing the age of Higher Academic Librarians in South Africa. I also talked about how the different generations view work and work with their co-workers.

1. The importance of generational awareness for libraries Sophie van der Walt Search Librarian – Unisa Tanya du Plessis Postgraduate Supervisor - UJ

3. University of Johannesburg (UJ)

4. University of South Africa (Unisa)

5. North-West University (NWU)

6. University of Pretoria (UP)

8. Retirement forecast for SA Academic Libraries Imminent staff exodus Planning and training programmes for new middle and top management positions Succession planning

9. So how do we work together? Group synergy or group conflict?

11. 1963-1983 (UK)

12. 1966-1984 (UK)

13. 1970-1989 (SA)

14. Gen Y

15. 1979 – 2001 (USA)

16. 1985-2001 (UK)

18. 1923-1945 (USA)

19. 1918-1945 (UK)

20. 1930-1949 (SA)

21. Baby Boomers

22. 1943 – 1962 (USA)

23. 1946 – 1965 (UK)

25. How do we work together?Traditionalists

26. Baby Boomers

27. Gen X

28. How do we REALLY work together? The evidence

29. Work values # 1 The main reason for Generation X'ers staying with their current organisation is because they feel that they are doing meaningful work # 2 Generation X’ers and Baby Boomers placed the greatest importance on a positive working environment

31. Work-life balance # 1 Traditionalists are the generation that are the most satisfied with the balance between work and family # 2 Generations X'ers disagreed most that their family life kept them from getting work done on time. This shows that they seem to have achieved an agreeable work-life balance

32. Work-life balance Surprise 1 Baby Boomers agreed most that they’d prefer a work schedule that allows them to spend time with their family, rather than doing challenging work or earning a high salary

33. Rewards #1 Baby Boomers and Generation X'ers were the generations to place more value on cash bonuses and paid training courses or skills development than the Traditionalists

34. Rewards Surprise 1 Baby Boomers was the generation to place greater emphasis on paid training courses or skills development NOT cash Surprise 2 Generation X'ers placed greater significance on cash bonuses NOT skills development

35. Retirement # 1 There will not be enough Generation X'ers and Generation Y'ers to pay for Baby Boomers' and Traditionalists' pension # 2 Baby Boomers and Traditionalists would prefer to delay their retirement through working shorter weeks or from home

36. Co-worker relationships # 1 Traditionalists focus more than any other generation on obtaining agreement and the inclusion of all parties in a team #2 Traditionalists are the generation with the least preference to be the leader of a team

37. Co-worker relationships Surprise 1 Generation X'ers, more than the other generation, prefer to work in a group or team Surprise 2 Generation X'ers, not Baby Boomers, show the highest preference to be the leader in a team

38. Why should we care? Remember this?