Succession: The Next Ones at Bat

Abstract

Throughout North America, more than 83,866 librarians will soon reach the age of 65 and will be taking, or plan to take, retirement. The exodus of practicing librarians will result in a severe shortage. With the departure of the older baby boomers, a serious collective loss is imminent in terms of experience and expertise because there are few experienced, trained, middle-level managers, supervisors, and administrators within the “middle” age group of librarians who could ensure appropriate succession in the libraries following such a massive retirement exodus.