As the housing market has become unaffordable for some and the way people work has become more flexible, a new nomadic lifestyle has emerged. Whether it’s living the #VanLife, staying in a short-term rental, or even house- or pet-sitting in exchange for accommodation, people who chose to engage in wanderlust might also be part of a new group of workers who perform their work on the road rather than in a traditional office setting. These digital nomads, as they are known, have ushered in a new wave of workplace concerns and benefits. The Michigan eLibrary (MeL) can help provide context for a work-travel lifestyle that might be the future of work.

Though being a digital nomad is more common now than ever before, people who live this way are often misunderstood. MasterFILE Complete has several publications with articles covering this trend. ComputerWorld includes "Bashing 4 New Myths About Digital Nomads: The Digital Nomad Honeymoon is Over, and the Backlash has Begun. Here are the New Myths—and the Facts—About Digital Nomads" to help explain what is really happening versus what people might assume from the outside. From the perspective of several Human Resource professionals, having digital nomads on a team can have positive benefits for employers and employees, as well as causing some administrative drawbacks. "Digital Nomadism in the Workplace: Top Insights from HR Leaders On Policies and Perspectives" in Leadership Excellence provides some context for why a business might thrive or struggle. In Geographical, "Nomad’s Land" suggests that this type of work-travel lifestyle is a new norm—both for those who are looking for adventure and those who are escaping high costs in their home country.

If this sounds like a lifestyle you would like to try, Computerworld (Online Only) offers "10 Must-Have Security Tips for Digital Nomads" to help you work more safely. To discover places where digital nomad visas are common, read "Want to Work from Spain?: Apply for a New Digital Nomad Visa" in News India Times. Finally, if exploring closer to home across Michigan and even the United States is of interest, check out the eBook Public Library Collection’s The Van Conversion Bible: The Ultimate Guide to Converting a Campervan as a way to get started on the road.

As always, MeL is loaded with information about the latest topics and trends. Take time to explore the wide variety of content you can find in 70+ free eResources—you never know what you might discover!

If you have any MeL eResources questions or issues, contact [email protected] for help.