Sarah McQuillen Library Technologies and the Social Norms of Digital Natives A Gen-Y Reflects on VALA 2010

#VALA2010 Concept Cloud

Abbey the Digital Native

Jane Burke (Serials Solutions) Discovery vs Disintermediation: the new reality driven by today’s end-user Many libraries sort resources into ‘information silos’ Focus on catalogue: direct access to 10% collection But Digital Natives: Prefer short formats, electronic where possible No distinction between publication format

Jane Burke (Serials Solutions) Discovery vs Disintermediation: the new reality driven by today’s end-user 73% US college students use internet more than library Access library resources via net- connection unknown Falling perception of library as information gateway Subsequent drop in perceived usefulness of libraries

Marshall Breeding (Vanderbilt) Blending Evolution with Revolution: A new cycle of library automaton spins on Federated searching allows simultaneous searching of information silos Single search point with filtering options later Interface reflects social norms of digital world –like Google!

Michael Gonzalez (University of Western Sydney) Beyond the grave: Where to with Gen (wh)Y? Shifted to federated search interface

University of Western Sydney Library, viewed 17 Feb 2010,

Michael Gonzalez (University of Western Sydney) Beyond the grave: Where to with Gen (wh)Y? Is it time to retire Abstract only databases? Gen Y: Yes- too hard, takes too long Librarian: No, can access via print, interlibrary loan Different social norms for different users Solution: keep databases, but hide as default Customisations is the key!

Michael Gonzalez (University of Western Sydney) Beyond the grave: Where to with Gen (wh)Y? Cannot expect Digital Natives to ‘sell’ library for us Must work in their environment, using their norms Library will then appear relevant to their reality

Fiona Salisbury & Sandi Monaghan (La Trobe University) Finding a New Voice: Keys to building successful online communities Library blog: Initially broke web social norm –bulletin board Reworked for collaborative net convention Increase in daily visits from 4 (2007) to 270 (2009)

La Trobe University Library Blog, viewed 17 Feb 2010,

Fiona Salisbury & Sandi Monaghan (La Trobe University) Finding a New Voice: Keys to building successful online communities Open communication between Gen Y and librarians Students using for peer-help Solutions, no explanations –eg link only Very Gen Y!

Where to from here?

With more full text searching metadata is key Discover trends by researching user patterns Think how to tailor libraries to new clients & technology Participate in community –both physical &virtual Don’t try to convert our user’s norms... Convert our norms!