Information Use by Millennials vs. BoomersRunning Head:

MILLINNEALS USE OF INFORMATION VS. THE BABY-BOOMERS

Millennials Use of Information vs. The Baby-BoomersDr. Cherie GivensLIBR200-23Tim TrevathanSan Jose State University – M.L.I.S. ProgramFall 2008

Information Use by Millennials vs. Boomers

Abstract

Different generations have always presented different challenges in variables such as referenceof cultural importance, communication styles, values and acceptance of the world view of their elders. Today’s generation has the access and ability to supplant these issues in ways thatempower them and mitigate the influence that past generations had over control, authority andeven at times, expertise. Knowledge as power and access to information to make decisions givesinert ability to process forward movement in society, thus creating an acceleration of change.This change has a de-stabilizing effect on politics, religion, social environments and societies asa whole. This change also enables, empowers and re-aligns the world as we have known it sincethe inception of history. The technology makes for some ‘game-changers’ and attitudes can shiftvoluntarily or be eclipsed by the power and velocity of the change that is occurring. [Like it or not…here it comes].22

Information Use by Millennials vs. Boomers

Introduction

My thesis [of sorts] is seeking to validate my perception that indicates that the 82 millionBaby-Boomers and the 80 million Millennials generation [of 181 million working tax-payers inthe U.S. – our ‘customers’] have very different orientations towards library services andinformation access and usage. The resistance of older library system personnel and corporateAmerica illustrates the 'lag' between the two entities world view and technology orientationdifferences. Boomers [the majority of] for example, have “no interest” in many of thetechnologies and surrounding digital culture items that many millennials partake in. The disparityof numbers often shows the divergence in the exposure to the technologies and following of trends that come along with those technologies.I am trying to not only chronicle this for academic purpose, but to allow SJSU to act asthe premier entity it is in advancing change, adapting to technology and being the trail-blazers ininnovation as Silicon Valley is known for. This is not a new or untested phenomenon, but people,33