2008 10 Millennials Presentation

transcript

Millennials and Libraries; October 24, 2008

Millennials and Libraries: Opportunities and Challenges

Lisa M. MetzerLearning Librarian

National Geographic Societylisa.m.librarian@gmail.com

Link to presentation visual outline

Outline

1. Who are the Millennials?2. Survey3. Case study4. Educating the Net

Generation5. The Academic Library and

the Net Gen Student6. Discussion

Who are the Millennials?

The Millennials are defined as those born in 1982 and approximately the 20 years thereafter

(Neil Howe and William Strauss from Millennials Rising).

• Millennials • Generation Y• Gen Y• Net Generation• Echo Boomers• Generation Me• Other?

A Survey

1.When you think of this generation, what characteristic first comes to mind? Please name only one.

2.Name one opportunity you envision for libraries and this generation.

3.Name one challenge you envision for libraries and this generation.

4.What question do you have for or about this generation related to libraries?

A Case Study

Methodology• ILI-L listserv (ALA)• DC-SLA listserv• Distributed October 10, 2008• Collected by email• 15 people replied

Data informs further research

Survey ResultsCharacteristics• 3 related - speed / fast • 2 related - Multi-tasking • 2 related - techy / online• 3 related - positive / confidence

Word cloud designed using Wordle

Characteristics Word Cloud

Opportunities and Challenges

Survey Results

Opportunities• Technology - 7 related• Creativity - 3 related• Working together / Participation - 2 related

Challenges• Maintaining relevance - 3 related• Keeping up with technology - 2 related• Expectation for everything online - 3 related• Research takes time - 3 related

Survey Results

Questions • How do you like to get things done? I want a better

picture of how they prefer to work - both the environment and the process.

• What would happen if we let the Millennials design their own libraries? What would they keep? get rid of? add?

• How are the other generations being trained to work with this generation?

• Will this generation even consider library science as a career?

Survey ResultsQuestions • Describe your ideal librarian.• Do they actually benefit from a library's attempts to use

social networking as much as we (librarians) hope they do?

• They expect instant gratification - how can we make sure they can distinguish authoritative information and not just take the first thing that comes up?

• Do they envision a world where the library equates to a museum of yesterday's ideas...or that it becomes a place for them to learn, share, and create the ideas of tomorrow?

Educating the Net Generation

Net Gen learning preferences: • Teams, peer-to-peer• Engagement & experience• Visual & kinesthetic• Things that matter

Concerns / Challenges: • Web as information universe not the library• Source quality• Text literacy• Short attention span• Multitasking• Fast response time• Reflection

What can we do? / Opportunities:

• Make learning interactive and experiential• Consider peer-to-peer approaches• Utilize real-world applications• Emphasize information literacy in courses• Mix online and face-to-face• Encourage reflection• Create opportunities for synthesis• Use informal learning opportunities

Student Advice: • Be engaging; challenge us• Be responsive: answer voice mails and emails; office hours still

matter• Be seen: we’d like to see you and get to know you outside of

class• Set boundaries: tell us when you’re available• Use technology appropriately: don’t be “Power Pointless”• Use real world, relevant examples• Be an active participant in class; show you are excited about the

subject• Ask students what they think• Not everything needs to be on the Web

The Academic Library and the Net Gen Student

Book by Susan GibbonsAmerican Library Association, 2007

The Academic Library and the Net Gen Student

Chapter 2 - The Net Generation: • Sheltered and protected lives • Conventional• "Helicopter parents" (parent presence)• Special (customization)• High self esteem • Confident • Optimistic• Team-oriented• Pressured (pressure to achieve)• Multi-taskers• Digitally and visually literate

Collect Surveys

Open Discussion of Questions

Resources

Visual Outline: Millennials Presentation (url to view online)Visual Outline: Millennials Challenges and Opportunities (url to view online)The Academic Library and the Net Gen Student (ALA publication)Educating the Net Generation (url to online pdf)Books by Howe and Strauss (3)Articles (2)

Thank You!

2008 10 Millennials Presentation

Education