The purpose of the MN SLA mentor program
is to help library students and new librarians develop skills-career
skills and professional skills, to help librarians move from one
industry to another, to help students and new librarians feel part
of SLA and the Minnesota Chapter, to share experience and offer
insight and to act as a sounding board.
General guidelines: Members
are not required to participate. A six-month commitment is necessary
for those who do participate. Meetings should occur on a regular
basis, but "regular" is up to the mentor and mentee. Attend at least
one chapter meeting together.
For Mentor: Contact mentee periodically
throughout the year, especially when mentor comes across information
that might be of interest to the mentee. Encourage mentee to join
special interest sections or local chapters. Help mentee network.
Be upfront with mentee as to what expectations are from the relationship
including how much contact there will be.
For Mentee: Initiate contact
with the mentor. "Meetings" can be in person, via e-mail, or on
phone. Show up on time for meetings. Be upfront with mentor regarding
expectations and what you would like to learn.
For more information on the program, please contact the chapter's Mentoring, Diversity, and Consultation co-chairs: Mary Scheide or Jennifer Witt. If you are interested in becoming a mentor or obtaining a mentor, please fill out the appropriate form (note: forms are in rich text format, which opens in most major word processing software).
