Millennials and Libraries

 Millennials and Libraries. (2014, April 9). Retrieved June 28, 2015, from http://www.pewinternet.org/2014/04/09/millennials-and-libraries/

Teens these days are  "super tech saturated." They have internet access at their fingertips.  95% have internet access, while 78% have cell phones to access the internet.  Most not only use their phones, but also tablets and laptops.  

Most educators believe that as a result of all the constant internet access, students are becoming easily distracted and expect results quickly and easily.  Students are becoming more self sufficient but all of the information may be too overwhelming. Many times when they are researching, the first thing they try is Google. They have trouble deciding what is relevant and reliable.  

Teens are reading just as much as adults, but for different reasons. While adults read for pleasure or to keep up with current events, teens read for research and school. Teens are more likely than use librarians and ask librarians for help.  

There is a debate on what kind of impact the constant access to the information will have on teens. Will they become multi taskers who can retain various information at once, lack social skills and interpersonal communication? Or will they become multi taskers who can research quickly and efficiently?

I do worry that students spend too much time on the internet.  A majority of them are constantly updating their status and pictures on social media. They use Google for all their research needs, despite the academic databases that are available to them.

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