Revised mission statement

Conference Mission (final to be posted on website)

Libraries are undergoing a significant demographic shift that is dramatically changing the profession. At the heart of this transformation is the large proportion of veteran librarians nearing retirement age and the potential impact of the perceived "graying of the profession." This development has also prompted a closer examination of the new generation of librarians poised to assume leadership. To contribute to the dialogue regarding the future of academic library leadership, this conference will address the following questions:


--Are academic libraries really experiencing a so-called "graying of the profession"? If so, what are we potentially losing in terms of experience, expertise, and institutional memory?
--What are libraries doing to ensure these qualities will be passed on to the next generation of library leaders?
--What are the characteristics of so-called "next gen librarians" and how will their entry into the profession impact academic libraries?
--How do we address generational differences within the workplace without fostering unnecessary stereotypes or division?
--How are changes within the profession influenced by or reflective of larger social, political, and cultural transformations?