We are All Winners: Training Silents to Millennials to Work as a Team

Document Type

Article

Publication Title

Serials Librarian

Abstract

In today's rapidly changing environment, technical services managers and supervisors are challenged to keep up with the latest advances in technology and standards. The serials department is always in a constant state of change, but often the personnel within the department either remains the same or decreases in number due to downsizing. As many department heads know, daily duties can change dramatically from year to year as we are asked to do more with less while embracing new technology and standards. This leads us to the question, what is the best method of teaching personnel how to use the upgraded and new software? How do you prepare your staff if the library purchases a new ILS (integrated library system) or they have to learn a new standard such as RDA (Resource Description and Access) that will affect cataloging? How do you get everyone to understand the new ERM (electronic resource management) system or an upgraded version of the library-integrated system with a new interface? In our workforce today, we are dealing with as many as four different generations, including the Silent Generation, Baby Boomers, Generation X, and the Millennials. In addition to generational differences, we have to consider there are also learning differences such as auditory, visual, tactile, and kinesthetic learners.

First Page

211

Last Page

216

DOI

https://doi.org/10.1080/03615260801974149

Publication Date

5-20-2008

Department

University Libraries

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