Understanding the New College Freshman: Supporting Gen Z Learners in Academic Libraries

By Elisha Feliz, LILRC Intern

On Friday, April 10, the 12th Annual Herbert Biblo Academic Libraries Conference, Understanding the New College Freshman: Supporting Gen Z Learners in Academic Libraries, will be held at Nassau Community College from 10:00am to 3:00pm (EST). The conference is co-presented by LILRC, NCLA ASLD, and SCLA DASL. 

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CONFERENCE DETAILS

Recent incoming classes of college students arrive at their institutions with novel strengths and challenges that present academic librarians with the welcome task of determining how to better cater their services to this new generation. This conference will expose attendees to several innovative ways to build a better rapport and relationship with their Gen Z patrons. 

The following speakers and their presentations are as listed: 

Silas W. Kelly: LMSW, EJWSA 

Presentation: Gen-Z: Mental Health and Belonging in the Age of AI 

Gen Z arrives on campus digitally fluent, AI-aware, and facing unprecedented mental health challenges. As tools like Chat GPT reshape learning, academic libraries have a unique opportunity to foster belonging, critical inquiry, and human connection in an increasingly automated world. 

Debra Bernstein, Special Assistant Professor of Library Services, Hofstra University, Axinn Library 

Presentation: Lessons from TikTok: Using Popular Social Media Platforms to Engage Gen Z 

As Gen Z students increasingly engage with social media, academic libraries are exploring new ways to connect with them. This presentation will share findings from a study of five academic libraries in the New York City and Long Island area and analyze which TikTok videos generate the most engagement. Results show that humorous, lighthearted content performs best, while instructional videos often gain less traction. The presentation will also outline practical strategies libraries can use to build and maintain a TikTok presence that increases visibility, strengthens connection, and supports meaningful engagement with today's students. 

Christine Fena, Undergraduate Success Librarian, Stony Brook University Libraries and Chris Ketz, Head of Academic Engagement, Stony Brook University Libraries

Presentation:

From High School to Higher Ed: Lessons on Gen Z from Collaborations Between SBU Libraries & Local High Schools 

Gen Z comes to college with the research experience they've gained in high school, yet their ability to conduct college-level research is an open question. The Ready for Success Project partnered SBU LIbrarians with teachers and librarians from a local high school to explore and strengthen how research skills are taught. In this talk, the presenters draw on

their research from the project, as well as their observations and experiences with current high school and SBU students, to address the complicated and diverse information literacy skill sets of incoming university students. 

The conference is open to all in the profession, and online registration is open until Friday, April 19, with a ticket fee of $40.00. For more information or further questions, please contact Eliscia Cirrone at ecirrone@lilrc.org.