TY - JOUR
T1 - The crossover generation
T2 - Baby boomers and the role of the public library
AU - Williamson, Christina
AU - Bannister, Marion
AU - Sullivan, Jenny
N1 - Imported on 12 Apr 2017 - DigiTool details were: month (773h) = Sept 2010; Journal title (773t) = Journal of Librarianship and Information Science. ISSNs: 0961-0006;
PY - 2010/9
Y1 - 2010/9
N2 - The article explores the concept of baby boomers as a 'crossover' generation, one that embodies characteristics of previous and later generations. The context is the retirement of the baby boomers and its potential impact on the public library. Ethnographic method within a constructivist framework was used, employing the techniques of focus groups and individual interviews. The findings focus on four principal areas: baby boomer characteristics; information needs and resource use; social needs; and the role of volunteering. Comparisons are made with other generations, as appropriate. The conclusion is that, despite some shared characteristics, differences require innovative responses from public libraries.
AB - The article explores the concept of baby boomers as a 'crossover' generation, one that embodies characteristics of previous and later generations. The context is the retirement of the baby boomers and its potential impact on the public library. Ethnographic method within a constructivist framework was used, employing the techniques of focus groups and individual interviews. The findings focus on four principal areas: baby boomer characteristics; information needs and resource use; social needs; and the role of volunteering. Comparisons are made with other generations, as appropriate. The conclusion is that, despite some shared characteristics, differences require innovative responses from public libraries.
KW - Open access version available
U2 - 10.1177/0961000610368917
DO - 10.1177/0961000610368917
M3 - Article
VL - 42
SP - 179
EP - 190
JO - Journal of librarianship
JF - Journal of librarianship
SN - 0961-0006
IS - 3
ER -