NextGen: Motivate Your Millennials!

In October 2007, my colleague and fellow instruction librarian Stacy Russo wrote about providing creative and insightful library instruction and research strategies to a younger generation not-so-easily impressed in this tech-savvy/Google world. Indeed, figuring out how to motivate Millennial students is a challenge. Equally challenging for librarians, however, is finding out how to motivate and retain NextGen and Millennial librarians.

I should know. I'm coordinator of information services with oversight of several Millennial and NextGen librarians. As cheekily reported recently by 60 Minutes, some are indeed coming into the workforce with an attitude of entitlement. It would be wrong, however, for us to focus on their attitudes when we, as library leaders, really need to change our attitudes, adjust our tactics for reaching this new generation, and act as inclusive leaders.

The upcoming generation of librarians is not only tech-savvy, like their student counterparts, they are ready to challenge and change the face and content of the programs we provide as well as how we deliver library service. I say, bring it on. As a library leader, my mantra is, “Be open, flexible, and opportunistic.”

Being a leader today demands supporting a range of ideas and forward-thinking programs needed to align library programs with the information services that faculty and students increasingly need, want, and demand.

When it comes to motivating and retaining new talent, seek common ground. Do your best to catch the excitement and enthusiasm of putting a creative idea into action as well as adding your own perspective. Indeed, your primary role as “leader of the library environment” may be to keep the excitement and idea exchange going strong. Think of it as a three-tiered process.

NextGen librarians have open radar to the changing technological landscape around them. It's time we pay attention. Projects in hot discussion include new communication tools that students use not only to socialize but also to exchange information, such as MySpace, blogs, and iPods.

What if we implemented MySpace as a library instruction/social networking tool with freshmen? Or perhaps reference librarians could conduct research assistance via text messaging.

Show respect for the ideas generated by your colleagues. Be open to new service possibilities that could, ultimately, help your library reach more patrons. No matter what new technology might come along, nothing replaces good old brainstorming.

According to a recent Pew Internet & American Life Project, with 18- to 21-year-olds more likely to IM, create blogs, and text message, reference service may have to meet them halfway. Not surprisingly, NextGen librarians are excited about incorporating these tools into library service because they also use them outside the library. So, why not try?

Maybe that means offering a pilot program with selective and supportive faculty to conduct freshmen library orientation via MySpace, or giving students in a targeted library instruction session the opportunity to contact the instruction librarian via IM for short bursts of research assistance. Before and during implementation, be sure to take the lead as a project manager: split up the watchdog aspects among librarians and be there every step of the way.

Work with your library colleagues and campus stakeholders and faculty to review what worked and what didn't and to plan on adjustments, a relaunch, or perhaps a wider implementation of an idea or program.

Remember, you are not giving in or giving up to the writing on the electronic notepad—you are collaborating and partnering with colleagues who may streamline processes and deliver services to a greater number of hardwired students and faculty. Be ready to provide assessment and statistical data to support the library's next steps. Also, look to your institution's strategic plan, mission, value, and vision statements to decide on what will be the best action on any new technologies used.

If you apply these basic motivational and project management skills, you'll experience more success than failure. One of our NextGen librarians, for example, recently came aboard with a plethora of exciting ideas. I wanted to support her as a colleague and to help her make those innovative programs a reality. Within a year of her hire, she has already successfully launched a summer reading program for faculty and staff and an undergraduate library research prize. Quite impressive!

Oh, and I'm off and running with another new librarian on our team: a true Millennial who just texted me about how well her first library instruction went!