Generation Gap

In a class I recently attended, a fellow classmate made the comment, "People like to see themselves in others. People go to people they understand."

When I take part in job interviews for open librarian positions, one thing I may say is that I believe I can have an immediate impact. I believe this because when I do have the interview I will be 25 or 26 (hopefully!) and fresh out of grad school. I will still be young, full of energy, full of goals, full of passion. Yet, I will still have the taste of confusion and uncertainty lingering on my tongue from my years in high school and undergrad. I believe I can be a person that students will see themselves in.

There is a generation gap between college students and many if not most librarians. Granted, most college students probably do not make great use of their libraries because they do not give a shit. I feel though, in part from my own undergrad experience, that there is a disconnection between students and librarians. It may be because there is no forced interaction between the two. I will argue still, however, that if you had given me a reference librarian 26-33 years of age, I would have consulted her or him more often than I did. Which was very little (and I am ashamed that I did not know better). And I bet you my classmates would have too.

Academic libraries need young librarians. The library needs young librarians to draw patrons to the library and to design the future. Students need young librarians. Young libraries may serve as the image which students relate. Through this connection students may then discover the possibilities the library offers. Young librarians are like a blossoming flower opening up and spreading its beautiful pedals for all to enjoy.