Bridging the gap

A few weeks back, this article made its rounds on a listserv I follow. The article really struck a nerve with me, partially because it seems to ignore that many college students today are struggling under incredible pressures to perform academically, get involved socially, and often balance 1, 2, or 3 part-time jobs to make ends meet. But it perhaps really got to me that the writer believes only politically-charged novels are those worth reading. I am a big believer that any reading is reading — the fact college kids can fit in Twilight between their responsibilities is quite impressive on its own and goes to show that college kids are still reading.

All of this got my gears going about a missing library opportunity. While college students have their college libraries or perhaps local town library from which to acquire materials and take in a program or two, what happens when college kids graduate and either move to a new place or have to move back home with mom and dad? What about the folks who forgo college?

I think libraries are missing a service sector. I know as a 20-something having moved across the country that I often feel lonely and disconnected, even though I have met people through school. Going to the bar isn’t really my scene, so what is there for me to meet people who have similar interests? Where can I go to learn new skills? What about a place to discuss a good book? While this is an age group that falls under adult (maybe young adult, even) I think there is still a major gap between adult and young adult for the 20-somethings. I go to my library regularly and read their programming schedule but rarely find something that piques my interest; while many adults really benefit from technology sessions, for example, those in the 18-26 bracket have had to learn technology quickly to make it through school, so the basic courses on how to use computer technology is not relevant to them.

I think libraries have a great opportunity to develop programming to draw in this age group. Libraries provide programming to infants, to children, to teens, to adults, and to older adults, but why aren’t they reaching out to the age group that often feels lost, lonely, and confused amidst incredible life changes and uncertain futures, not to mention cognitive shifts? There is ample room to build a community, and by reaching out and connecting with this age group, libraries can and will continue being relevant and useful to them in the future. How about a regular program of career-related guidance? The US Department of Labor suggests that between the ages of 18 and 38, the average person can change jobs up to 10 times. Moreover, now that we’re in such a shifting time socially and economically, I think those in their early to mid 20s are now lost without role models — the one job, one mortgage model of generations past is not necessarily the way things are or will be in the future. Providing programs to connect these patrons with those who can help them or with others like them, they network and they can develop meaningful relationships with others in their own community. What libraries may be offering in this realm now for adults is not going to be relevant to those in their 20s and may simply not attract them. Likewise, programs targeting young adults are likely too young, reaching those in their mid to late teens. The 18-26 sector is really a bridging time between youth and full-on adulthood, and libraries can play a significant role for this age group in helping with this transitioning period.

Beyond job-related programming, there are opportunities for book groups, film nights, educational programming (crafts, arts, carpentry, auto repair, budgeting, etc.), and life skills. Perhaps a librarian’s dream come true is the fact that it’s likely those in this age group know what they want and would speak up, ask for it, and then pitch in to make it happen. Harvest the creative energy and the programming can build itself.

All of this is not to say that adult programming and book discussions are not relevant to 20-somethings, but instead, it’s meant to suggest that there are definite unique needs and desires in this age group that the library can easily serve. I’ve been searching, and virtually no libraries are offering these sorts of services. Pierce County, Washington’s library offers something similar, but it, too, targets the program at those in their 20s and 30s. I think there are major differences socially and mentally between those in their 20s and those in their 30s. As psychologists know, the brain is still growing and changing significantly up to age 25 or 26; why not develop the target group as those age 18/19/20 through 26? What Pierce County is doing program wise for this group, though, is exactly what I think could be done for this bridge age group. Following the model of teen services that have developed over the years would make this a real goldmine of potential — reach out, build a reputation, and see lifelong patronage.

Programs and services would not need to be pricey, require a new position, nor tax too much time. While putting together any program requires a time investment, a once a month social event (a book club, a hobby event, etc.) and/or a once a month networking/skills development program would not be too difficult. The return on investment would come through seeing a new body of patrons, as well as a population that will speak with their wallets and their experiences when tough choices need to be made in a community. If libraries connect with them, they remain viable, vibrant life forces in a community — precisely what many of those in this age group want for themselves.

A very important caveat I want to suggest here is that going “2.0″ is NOT enough. I found plenty of sources in my search that too easily pray to the virtual gods for social networking and reaching out to this age group. Maybe it’s just me and the people I know, but I’m actually quite tired of only being reached to virtually (I’m assuming not, though). I seek physical services, physical events, and physical networking. Start by developing the physical programs but push out the information about these programs virtually. Don’t just offer reader advisory or blogs online; do relevant, thematic book talks in the library and push the information about the event out virtually. I think in an era where we are increasingly chained to a desk and virtual environment 8-10 hours a day, there is nothing more exciting that getting out and about and interacting with people face to face. I think there is a misconception by older generations that the younger generations want everything virtually and that this is the only way to reach out.

Do you know of any libraries doing anything like this? I’d love to see what they’re doing and I’d love to ask how and why they decided this was important enough to develop.