Research Article: “Cross – Generational Valuing Among Peer Academic Librarians”

The article linked below (preprint) is scheduled for publication in the July, 2015 issue of College and Research Libraries. It was accepted for publication during June 2014.

Title

Cross – Generational Valuing Among Peer Academic Librarians

Authors

Gail Munde, PhD, PHR
East Carolina University
Bryna Coonin
East Carolina University

Source

Colleges and Research Libraries (C&RL)

From the Introduction

This study addresses a gap in the research concerning generational roles in the academic library workforce, particularly with reg ard to Millennials. There are a number of reports on generational diversity and ageism in librarianship, ably summarized by Lancaster in 2003, Hutley and Solomon in 2004, Gordon in 2006, Martin in 2006, and Chu in 2009.
Empirical research concerning generational differences in the workplace does exist within the general management literature, as examined by Twenge in 2010, but rigorous empirical research is not available on how intergenerational colleagues actually relate to one another in the academic library work setting.
Should we assume that the intergenerational differences represented in the management literature automatically apply to academic librarians? Rather than accept these assumptions without examination, the study investigated who academic librarians value among their colleagues, why the colleague is valued, and the generational relationship of the evaluator and the valued colleague. The subjects’ institutional classification, career length, years since first professional degree, and broad library job function also were examined for possible influences on generational relationships among peer librarians.
Direct to Full Text Article (Preprint)
31 pages; PDF.

Filed under: Academic Libraries, Libraries, Management and Leadership, Reports