The NextGen Librarian's Survival Guide

Citation

Secker, J. (2007), "The NextGen Librarian's Survival Guide", Program: electronic library and information systems, Vol. 41 No. 1, pp. 98-101. https://doi.org/10.1108/00330330710724962

The book is aimed at what it terms “NextGen Librarians,” “GenXers” or “Millenials” who are defined largely in terms of their age. It claims to appeal to librarians in the 25‐34 age category, or those considering entering the library profession. The book is however really a self‐help guide for those working in the information profession and it focuses, in a fairly light‐hearted way, on how to move your career onwards and have a positive impact on the library profession. Rachel Singer Gordon is herself a NextGen librarian and well published in the library world. She currently works for Information Today, Inc. although she formerly worked in a public library in Illinois. Although I'm not totally comfortable with the “NextGen” term (slight Star Trek connotations perhaps), I was pleased to be able to (just) consider myself as part of this group, so read the book with particular interest. The book also claims that more senior library managers will find the book helps them to understand and effectively manage their younger staff, although I did wonder how many would actually read it because of the title!

Chapter One begins by defining in some detail what next generation librarianship is, why it's an issue now. It also looks at the concept of different generations and why NextGens, classified largely by age, are different to previous generations of librarians. Technological developments of course get a mention here. The introduction nicely defined Next Generation as involving “thinking about the future of libraries and our profession beyond the next ten years or so”, claiming that “ … younger librarians think about and plan for the future, knowing they will still be actively participating in the profession”. (p. xiv) The chapter highlights that the library profession is an ageing profession, with many senior staff set to retire in 10‐15 years time. NextGen Librarians are the managers of the future and their role in shaping the development of the profession is therefore crucial.

The cover of the book is good fun, picturing two young, rather unconventional looking characters – clearly intended to dispel the stereotypical image of librarians that for some reason appears fixed in many people's minds. In fact the book takes this subject rather seriously, devoting an entire chapter to “Image, Stereotypes and Diversity”, with contrasting views from NextGens and older librarians. It concludes that at the end of the day it's about transforming the profession, not just challenging a stereotype that really matters, but there are some fun discussions about librarians in buns versus the lipstick librarian!

Chapters two through to five usefully take you through the early years of a library career, including attending library school, finding your first professional post, surviving your first professional post and then moving forward in your career. Chapter two, on surviving library school looks at issues such as deciding where to study, paying your way through your studies, useful scholarship resources, how to make the most of your time and considering further studies after you've completed your masters. Chapter three gives lots of useful advice about job hunting, such as where to look, how to stand out at interviews and common problems that can arise in graduate entry jobs. Both of these chapters it must be said are useful background reading, but not really aimed for those wishing to study in the UK or find a job here. Chapter Four looks at how to survive your first post, and I particularly liked the section on “dealing with dinosaurs” on p. 69. This chapter is more useful for any newly qualified librarian and has some good tips on the strengths of being a NextGen and how to deal with others' perceptions of you. Chapter Five is also useful as general career advice and looks at moving onwards in the profession, issues of employer loyalty versus the need to develop as a professional and build a career. It looks at staying within the same organisation or moving to another. It is all good solid advice and relevant to anyone who works in the profession.

Meanwhile Chapter Seven looks at making connections and the importance of networking both with other NextGens but perhaps more importantly with more senior staff. It looks at online opportunities to network such as using discussion lists, but also the importance of conferences and other events. While the examples are very US‐based the principles remain the same, that networking is crucial to building your career. The chapter also looks at mentoring, either finding a mentor or being one yourself. Chapter Eight considers the work/life balance – a highly practical look at issues such as being a working parent, through to managing stress. Apparently work/life balance is something that is particularly important for NextGen librarians, who want to have a career but also a balance with their family life as well. I'm not convinced that this is a generational issue and more linked to personalities, but the chapter has useful tips for keeping work in perspective. Chapter Nine is entitled “Transforming the Library Profession” – a chapter I particularly identified with. It looks at issues affecting libraries at the present time: an increasing squeeze on budgets, developments in technology, changes in the education of librarians and issues of privacy and intellectual freedom. It argues that librarians need to speak up more, play an active part in transforming the profession and connect more with other groups and issues in society. Many of Singer's arguments are similar to the information literacy movement in the UK, about recognising the vital role for librarians in helping people to find, evaluate and use information in an ethical manner.

Finally, Chapter Ten is a note for library administrators and senior managers about the NextGen librarian. It again highlights how the profession is ageing and the need to ensure there are adequate numbers of graduates entering the workplace, but also remaining in the profession. A certain level of disillusionment is detected in the survey of younger librarians and there seems to be a real risk that significant numbers may leave the profession, despite many having a real love for their work. The chapter looks at the professional responsibilities of senior managers and ways to help motivate and develop their staff. It concludes by stating: “Paying attention to generational concerns is just one facet of being a good manager; paying attention to generational trends that affect your institution is just one part of securing your library's future.” (p. 181)

One of the features I particularly liked about this book was that most chapters have what is termed a “side‐bar”, which often provides a profile of a real life NextGen librarian. These are often presented as an interview and provide a highly personal touch to the book, drawing on the experiences of real people. Other “side‐bars” include the “Resources for Librarian Parents” in Chapter Eight, “Online Venues for NextGen Librarians” in Chapter Seven and a set of diversity resources in Chapter Six. The book also usefully draws on the results from two surveys of library professionals in the over 40s and under 40s age group. Findings from these surveys illustrate many of the chapters and the survey is reproduced in the Appendices, which also contain a list of useful web sites and recommended further reading. The survey highlights many fascinating issues and concerns for the NextGen librarian.

Overall my only small criticism with this book is the overwhelmingly American flavour of librarianship that is presented. Most, if not all of the real life stories come from US librarians and I suspect most of the respondents to the survey were also American. While many of us in UK can relate to this book, it would have been nice to include some examples from other countries. For example, the book could have included some examples of the issues facing librarians in the UK, such as the increasing reliance on para‐professional staff and the questioning of the need for subject librarians in some academic libraries. That said, it is a valuable insight into the library profession in the 21st century and provided me with much food for thought. Overall I would argue that NextGen librarians are facing new challenges and will need to adapt and be flexible as the role of libraries and librarians evolves.