Gen X Librarians: Leading From the Middle

Gen X Librarians:Leading From the Middle

Lisa Carlucci Thomas Digital Services Librarian, Southern Connecticut State University

Karen SobelReference & Instruction Librarian, University of Colorado Denver

Nina McHaleWeb Librarian, University of Colorado Denver

Introduction

Generation X and Technology (Nina)

Generation X at Work (Karen)

Generation X and Leadership (Lisa)

Introduction

Generational Generalizations…

Analyzing general qualities of groups of people can be positive and helpful◦Generational diversity can be a positive

element of the workplace (Jason Martin)

Assigning traits of a generation to and making assumptions about individuals can be hurtful and counterproductive◦There are 20-something “digital novices” and

80-year-old “tech gurus”

Introduction

Generation Terminology

Traditionalists ◦born before mid-1940s

Baby Boomers◦born mid-1940s-early 1960s

Generation X◦born early/mid-1960s-early 1980s

Generation Y/Millennials◦born early 1980s-early 2000s

Generation X and Technology

Growing Up (Along) With Technology

Gen X librarians developed technology skills as

necessary as computers were introduced for research

and productivity in school and work environments

Earlier generations generally added computer skills to

their professional skills after completing college and

joining the work force

Gen Y/Millennials have used computers since childhood


Growing Up (Along) With Technology

When computers entered their lives:

Boomer librarians – after their educations

Gen X librarians – during their educations

Gen Y librarians – before or toward the

beginning of their educations


Year Mean Household Income (US)

Representative Computer Pricing

1970 $10,001 “Kitchen Computer,” $10,600

1975 $13,779 IBM 5100, $8,975-$19,975

1980 $21,063 DEC Datasystem 408, $8,995

1985 $29,066 Atari 65XE, $120; Macintosh XL, $3,995

1990 $37,403 IBM Personal System, $999-$1,999

1995 $44,938 IBM PC 300, $2,000 and up

2000 $57,135 Compaq/Gateway models with 1 GHx Athlon processors, $2,500 and up; Apple Powerbook G3, $3,499


Gen X’s Increasing Access to Computers

1984: 15.3% of 3-17 year olds had computer access

1993: 31.9% of the same group had access

“…during this ten-year period, Generation Xers aged from

early teens into twenty-somethings.”

-Marisa Urgo, Developing Information Leaders: Harnessing the Talents of Generation X


Generation X: Between Two Worlds

Typewriters and Word Processors

Card catalogs and OPACs

Print and Electronic

Analog and Digital

Traditional and Social


Parallels in Personal Lives

There has always been a generation in the

middle, *but*… tech adds a new dimension.

The “Sandwich Generation”

◦Added to Merriam-Webster dictionary in 2006

◦Tech support for parents and grandparents


Gen X Attitudes Toward Technology

Proficient with technology

Accepting of change and desire to improve systems

According to Pew Research Center, Gen X is the most

likely group to “bank, shop, and look for health

information online”

Connecting traditional institutions and new modes of

communication

Generation X at Work

More About The Sandwich Generation

Two “sandwich” perspectives:

In the library instruction classroom

Interactions among librarian colleagues


Bridging Gaps in the Classroom

Mix of Boomers, Gen X, and Gen Y

Many commuters

Many parents

Mix of income brackets & levels of education



Generalizations…

How (Do?) we make them?

How can they assist our students?



Learning computer skills and content simultaneously



During their educations, Gen X:Learned to use computersLearned other educational technologiesResearched in printResearched onlineUsed many print and electronic formatsUsed the card catalog!Learned to *adapt*


Bridging Gaps in the Workplace

Generation X: “I like technology, but I’m not an addict.”



What does it mean to say:“I’m not a computer person”?



Gen X Librarians lead in:

Technology-related task forces

Digitization projects



Gen X “Training the Trainer”

Programs such as the “23 Things”

Group training on new technologies

One-on-one tech tutoring

Generation X and Leadership

Making History

Never before – 4 generations in workplace

Generation X:

◦In the middle of this organizational dynamic

◦Rising into management positions

◦Unique values = unique benefit


Generation X: Making History

20th Century Generations◦Traditionalists - 39 million◦Boomers – 78 million◦Generation X – 44 million◦Millennials – 70 million

Generation X is smallest entry wave of workers since 1930s

Likewise, smallest entry wave of managers in leadership roles in organizations now


Generation X: Making History

What are the work values of Gen X?

How do these values shape Gen X

leadership behaviors?

What is the benefit to organizations?


Work Values

Independence

Innovation

Individualism

How do these values shape the

leadership behaviors of Gen X?


Leadership Behaviors

Independence

◦Loyal to profession

◦Require personal/professional life balance

◦Self-driven and self-motivated

“Xers … are eager to update knowledge

and its application into their work.” - (Yu 4)



Innovation

◦Flexible, entrepreneurial

◦Apply skills in new contexts to achieve goals

◦Think “outside the box”

“[Gen X] Uses the power of information

technology to maintain competitive

advantage” - (Dunne 3)



Individualism

◦Define own paths for personal fulfillment

◦Work is a “lifestyle decision”

◦Not tied into traditional career development goals

“Personal fulfillment is intrinsically

linked to professional success” - (Feyerherm 1)


Leading from the Middle

Promoting Innovation

◦Seek challenges, integrate lifelong learning

Mediating Change

◦Building relationships, mentoring, training

Translating Cultural Norms

◦Making a difference, leaving a legacy


Generation X

Self-centered, skeptical, slackers?

Independent, innovative, individuals?


Generation X

Dedicated, savvy, leaders

◦Integrated attitudes about personal/professional

fulfillment, cultural and workplace diversity

◦Promoting lifelong learning by bringing fresh

perspectives, transitioning from old/new models

◦Opening new doors for subsequent generations

Thank You!

Lisa Carlucci Thomas

Digital Services Librarian

Southern Connecticut State University

[email protected] @lisacarlucci

Karen SobelReference & Instruction Librarian

University of Colorado [email protected]

Nina McHaleWeb LibrarianUniversity of Colorado [email protected] @ninermac

mailto:[email protected]



References

DeLong, Katheleen. “The Engagement of New Library Professionals in Leadership.” Journal of Academic Librarianship 35.5 (2009): 445-456.

Dunne, Matt. “Policy Leadership, Gen X Style.” National Civic Review 86.3 (1997).

Feyerherm, Ann, and Yvonne H. Vick. “Generation X Women in High Technology.” Career Development International 10.3 (2005): 216-227.

Gesell, Izzy. “How to Lead When the Generation Gap Becomes Your Everyday Reality.” Journal for Quality & Participation (January 2010) 21-24.

Hutley, Sue, and Terena Solomons. “Generational Change in Australian Librarianship: Viewpoints from Generation X.” Paper presented at ALIA 2004.

Martin, Jason. “I Have Shoes Older than You: Generational Diversity in the Library,” The Southeastern Librarian 54.3 (2006): 4-11.

McIntosh-Elkins, Jeni, and McRitchie, Karen, and Maureen Scoones. “From the Silent Generation to Generation X, Y, and Z: Strategies for Managing the Generation Mix.” Proceedings of the 35th Annual Association for Computing Machinery User Services Conference (SIGUCCS), 2007.

O’Connor, Steve. “The heretical library manager for the future.” Library Management 28.1/2 (2007): 62-71.

Pew Research Center. “Generations Online in 2009.” http://www.pewinternet.org/Reports/2009/Generations-Online-in-2009.aspx

http://www.pewinternet.org/Reports/2009/Generations-Online-in-2009.aspx

References

Polsson, Ken. “Chronology of Personal Computers.” http://pctimeline.info Robbins, LaToya M. “Bridging the Gap in Leadership Development within

Generation X and Y.” Seminar Research Paper Presented to the Graduate Faculty, University of Wisconsin-Platteville, 2008.

Seaton, L. Jeff, and Boyd, Michael. “The Organizational Leadership of the Post Baby Boom Generation: An Upper Eschelon Theory Approach.” Academy of Entrepreneurship Journal 13.2 (2007): 69-78.

Sessa, Valerie, et. al. “Generational Differences in Leader Values and Leadership Behaviors.” Psychologist-Manager Journal 10.1 (2007): 47-74.

Spence, Lisa A. “Preferences for Leader Traits and Leadership Communication Styles Among Members of Different Generational Cohorts.” Thesis Presented to the Faculty in Communication and Leadership Studies, School of Professional Studies, Gonzaga University, 2009.

Urgo, Marissa. Developing Information Leaders: Harnessing the Talents of Generation X.

Yu, Huichun, and Peter Miller. “Leadership Style – The X Generation and Baby Boomers compared in different cultural contexts.” Graduate College of Management Papers, Southern Cross University, 2005.

http://pctimeline.info/

Gen X Librarians:Leading From the Middle

Lisa Carlucci Thomas Digital Services Librarian, Southern Connecticut State University

Karen SobelReference & Instruction Librarian, University of Colorado Denver

Nina McHaleWeb Librarian, University of Colorado Denver

Business

Gen X Librarians: Leading From the Middle