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People – The Original Continuing Resource: Cross-generational Management in Libraries

People – The Original Continuing Resource: Cross-generational Management in Libraries. Adam Murray – Interim Dean of University Libraries, Murray State University 17 th Annual NC Serials Conference: What’s in a name? From “Serials” to “Continuing Resources” April 11, 2008.

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People – The Original Continuing Resource: Cross-generational Management in Libraries

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  1. People – The Original Continuing Resource: Cross-generational Management in Libraries Adam Murray – Interim Dean of University Libraries, Murray State University 17th Annual NC Serials Conference: What’s in a name? From “Serials” to “Continuing Resources” April 11, 2008

  2. The Changing Workforce • March 2002 American Libraries: “Reaching 65: Lots of Librarians Will Be There Soon” • Actual peak of retirement now not expected until 2015-2019 • Wave of recruitment for new librarians • Generation Y (Millennials) currently in the workforce: 32 million • Unique work environment, with four distinct generations working alongside each other

  3. The Four Generations • Traditionalists or Veterans • Baby Boomers • Generation X • Generation Y or Millennials

  4. Stages of Life vs. Generational Values Certain behaviors “transcend generational values and can better be explained when thought of in terms of life stages.” • Youth (age 0-21) • Rising Adulthood (22-35) • Midlife (35-50) • Legacy (50-70) • Elderhood (70+)

  5. Managing the individual

  6. From individuals to teams?

  7. Like Clockwork

  8. Tip 1 Facilitate the perception of individuals, not members of other generations

  9. Tip 2 Develop a vision & sell it. • Demonstrating value of change to the workaday lives of library staff will increase their buy-in • Shared projects can foster or improve sense of unity or teamwork

  10. Tip 3 Identify natural leaders (as opposed to official managers) and utilize them to your benefit. • Ability to inspire their fellow co-workers • Accomplished by persistent respect Tip 3.5: back up the authority of the official managers

  11. Tip 4 Know when to back down. • Admit ignorance and mistakes • Make a visible effort to learn from your employees

  12. Tip 5 Know when NOT to back down. • No magical formula for walking the line between the two • Situational humor to ease tensions

  13. Tip 6 Participate in their work with them. • Never ask your employees to do something you wouldn’t do yourself • Show appreciation for employees’ work by giving your limited time to them • Actively engaging in their duties with them helps you learn more about your library’s operations and issues

  14. Tip 7 Foster discussion (but balance with progress). • Opportunities to discuss the intricacies of their duties or potential changes demonstrates your reliance on their knowledge • On-going effort to create an atmosphere of comfort with discussion At some point, discussions must end and a decision must be made

  15. Tip 8 Get out of your comfort zone.

  16. Tip 9 Implement institutional memory projects. • Long-term employees = long-term memory of past successes and failures • Implement technology + person-to-person mentoring • Document, document, document

  17. Tip 10 Feedback. Give it. Constantly.

  18. Conclusion

  19. Works Cited Arns, J.W. & Price, C. (2007, Winter). To market, to market: the supervisory skills and managerial competencies most valued by new library supervisors. Library Administration & Management 21 (1), 13-19. Bridgeford, L.C. (2007, July). The young & not so restless: helping employers understand, retain Generation Y workers. Employee Benefit News 21 (9), 23-24. Houlihan, A. (2007, September). Bridge the generation gaps: how to get people of different ages to work together. Ward’s Dealer Business 41 (9), 24-25. Lynch, M.J., Tordella, S., & Godfrey, T. (DATE). Retirement and Recruitment: A Deeper Look. Available at http://www.ala.org/ala/ors/reports/recruitretire-adeeperlook.pdf Polach, J. (2006). Veterans, boomers, xers, ys: it isn’t that simple. Leadership Solutions Inc. Available at http://www.lsi-mn.com/assorted/generations.pdf Ryan, L. (2007, December). Liz Ryan career insight: leave Gen Y alone. Business Week. Available at http://www.businessweek.com/managing/content/dec2007/ca20071218_909449.htm? chan=search Wagner, D. (2007, Summer). Managing an age-diverse work force: the difference between veterans, boomers, Xers, Ys. MIT Sloan Management Review 48 (4), 9.

  20. Thank you!! Questions? adam.murray@murraystate.edu

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