Millennials are the Most Likely Generation of Americans to Use Public Libraries
This is a finding of a Pew Research Center survey taken in fall 2016. This survey found that 53% of Millennials say they used a library or bookmobile in the previous 12 months. That compares with 45% of Gen Xers, 43% of Baby Boomers and 36% of those in the Silent Generation. The Pew Trust wonders if this difference is related to the changes that many public libraries have made in the last 20 years. And I wonder if this could also be because we, as school librarians, have taught these young people to value the services provided by libraries and librarians.
My name is Mary Keeling. Before I became a school librarian, I worked in a university library and in the research library of a history museum. I was an elementary school librarian for 9 years, and am now the supervisor of school libraries in Newport News Virginia. I’ve been the conference chair and President of my state association, and taught library courses for Old Dominion University. I’ve been a member of AASL for 14 years, and am a Lilead fellow. In AASL, I’ve represented my state in the Affiliate Assembly, served on committees, been author for and guest editor of an issue of Knowledge Quest, and contributed to the work of the Supervisors’ Section. Presently, I am concluding my term as chair of the Standards Implementation Task Force. I hope you have had an opportunity to use some of the resources my amazing team has created. It is a great honor to stand before you now as a candidate for President-Elect.
I want to be President of AASL because I believe in the power of libraries to transform lives. School libraries are a training ground for full participation in our democratic society. If we are successful, our learners will continue to love, use, and value all kinds of libraries. We need school librarians to create robust learning experiences that foster competencies in the shared foundations of our new National School Library Standards. Our new standards position our association to lead school librarians in reflection, professional growth, and continued change to address the evolving priorities of our schools.
AASL is strong, and we can be stronger. We need to be more intentional about recruiting for and celebrating diversity in our members and leaders. And, we need to intensify our efforts to make it easy and fun for members to participate. Let’s explore how AASL can personify inclusiveness and equity. Including more voices and perspectives will enrich and strengthen our association and equip each of us to empathize with individuals and groups in our learning communities.
I have learned so much through AASL and am grateful for the opportunities it offers. I love getting to work with and learn from brilliant, passionate people like you. Each of you has been generous in sharing your knowledge to make our profession better. If elected president, I will help build AASL by inviting school librarians to take small steps to get involved; champion implementation of the National School Library Standards; work to strengthen AASL’s coalitions with sister divisions in ALA and partner organizations; and lead members to work together to create excellence for the young people we serve in our school libraries.
Thank you for your support in this election. I look forward to the work ahead.
Geiger, Abigail. (June 21, 2017). “Millennials are the most likely generation of Americans to use public libraries.” Pew Research Center. Fact Tank: News in the Numbers. Accessed February 9, 2018 from http://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2017/06/21/millennials-are-the-most-likely-generation-of-americans-to-use-public-libraries/
Library Twist! 