Energy & ExperiencePanel Discussion

Columbia University LibrariesReference Symposium

March 14, 2008

“Traditionalists” (1922 – 1945)

• Hard working• Respect for authority• Loyal• Dedicated• Duty before pleasure

World War II

“Baby Boomers” (1946 – 1964)

• Optimistic• Adaptable• Collaborative• Goal oriented• Live to work

Woodstock, 1969

“Generation X” (1965 – 1980)

• Embrace diversity• Self-reliant• Techno-literate• Global perspective• Work to live

“The Breakfast Club”

“Millennials” (1981 – 2008)

• Optimistic• Confident• Hard working• Mutli-taskers• Achievement oriented

Technology 2.0

The good, the bad…

One library.

To what extent can these differences be attributed to true generational differences?

And, how does this affect reference?

Team Work

CommunicationMotivations

Passion

Work/Life Balance

Technology

Diversity

Customer Service

Staff Training

Management Style

Change

Planning

Budgeting

Problem Solving

Photo Credits• http://www.flickr.com/photos/7504690@N04/434172979/• http://tn3-1.deviantart.com/fs6/300W/i/2005/082/2/2/iPod_ad_by__kron.jpg• http://img.timeinc.net/Life/special/kiss01.jpg• http://img2.timeinc.net/ew/dynamic/imgs/060907/123046__breakfast_club_l.jpg• http://www.historichighlandpark.org/modules/xcgal/albums/album18/thumb_aao.jpg

• Photo of Butler Library: Jennifer Rutner

Bibliography

Leveraging Generational Differences for Productivity GainsNancy Patota, Deborah Schwartz, Theodore Schwartz. Journal of American Academy of Business, Cambridge. Hollywood: Sep 2007. Vol. 11, Iss. 2; pg. 1, 10 pgs

Generational differences: revisiting generational work values for the new millennium Karen Wey Smola,  Charlotte D. Sutton.  Journal of Organizational Behavior.  Chichester:Jun 2002.  Vol. 23,  Iss. 4,  p. 363-382 (20 pp.)