I have been doing a bit of reading on the different generations of late - the Boomers, Gen Xers, Gen Yers and Zeds (sometimes known as Millenials). There is some good stuff out there about them and in particular, how to deal with them as library users and in the case of Gen Yers, as library staff.
My first problem with all this is deciding who goes where. In some studies I am considered a Baby Boomer, in others a Gen Xer, depending on which year you draw the line. I have always thought of myself as a Gen Xer, maybe because I am a bit more comfortable with tech than people who may be a little bit older than me. It also helps that I married a younger man and all our friends are closer to his age than mine. I guess its a problem with all sorts of labels, despite what people may think, they are not one size fits all.
So getting back to it, the Baby Boomers have been talked about quite a bit, as the biggest generation - one that will place quite a strain on our nation’s finances as they retire and we have a smaller tax base from which to support them in retirement. With them also living longer (and don’t get me wrong, I think its great that they can live to enjoy their retirement), it also further strains not only the finances of our country, but our health services.
As they live longer and are healthier into their old age, they are looking for what to do with that extra time. This is where the public library becomes so very important. Life-long learning applies to the baby boomers now in a way like never before - they have the time so they want to learn more and contribute more in a new way. If you can, get a copy of “Wanting it now: baby boomers and the public library of the future” by Kirsty Williamson et al. Australian Library Journal February 2006, pages 54-71. (I haven’t been able to find an electronic copy - have it only in print). It talks about how this generation is very different to the ones before and how libraries have to be planning now to best meet their needs in the coming years.
At the other end of the scale are the Gen Yers (what about us poor hard working Gen Xers?). They are about as far removed from the Baby Boomers as can be, never having known life without TV, computers, mobile phones etc. An excellent study as been done by McCrindle Research - “New generations at work: attracting, recruiting, retraining & training Generation Y” . This research examined this generation in detail here in Australia, incorporating much information direct from Gen Yers. It is well worth a look too as it gives great information on the preceding generations and a brief look at what the Gen Zers may be like. It also includes a lexicon of Gen Y language - an eye-opener for anyone not very experienced in dealing with todays teens.
