Okay, Zoomer! Making Space for Generation Z in the Library Workforce

Contrary to the caricature of the old and crabby librarian, the library workforce is as age-diverse as any other industry. Young library workers, generation z in particular, face unique challenges in career advancement compared to their peers in the private sector. Wages are non-negotiable, entry-level jobs require multiple years of experience, managers rarely express interest in innovation, rarely are direct paths to promotion available, and skyrocketing costs of living make choosing a career in librarianship and the broader public sector difficult. This poster will seek to answer these two questions: How can young library workers steer the trajectory of their own work? How can library administration best support young library workers while also managing budgetary crises due to inflation?