Developing Science Librarians: The Role of Mentoring

Mary Frances Lembo
Information Specialist
Special Libraries Association Annual Meeting
Philadelphia, PA 2000

Research Question:

• How do students become aware of and develop an interest in sci-tech librarianship?

Preparation for Sci-Tech Librarianship: Results of a Survey [Sci-Tech News 52(1) 16-17 (1998)]

Student Relations Committee
Mission: To foster communication between professional librarians and library/ information science students as well as to create awareness among students about opportunities available to them in science and technology librarianship.

Did you have a mentor that was a sci-tech librarian?

Yes – 37%
No – 62%
No Response – 1%

Did contact with professional organizations influence decision in becoming a sci-tech librarian?

Yes – 9%
No – 91%

Let’s Develop a Mentoring Program

• Focus on Students, but also those new to Sci-Tech Librarianship
• Increase students’ awareness of professional organizations such as SLA
• Instantaneous connections within the Division
• Program debut – SLA Indianapolis 1998
  • 30 mentees and 17 mentors have participated to date

Increase Participation

• Web Presence. http://www.sla.org/division/dst/
• Library Schools –Brochure distributed to directors of library schools.
• Listserv Distribution – Email was sent out to the Sci-Tech listserv

PAM Mentoring Program

• Began in May 1999 as a result of the Division’s Strategic Planning Survey Analysis:
• http://www.sla.org/division/dpam/stratplan/index.html
• “Develop Mentoring Program” one of the top five priorities for Division.

Strategic Plan Priorities

Let’s Develop a Mentoring Program

• Assist in meeting other Division members
• Find out how the Division operates
• Network of Subject Specialists

Strategic Plan

• Goal 3: “To provide mentoring and professional development opportunities for all PAM members.”

Three Broad Programs:

• Buddy Program
• Traditional Mentoring
• Expertise Database

Fostering Mentor/Mentee Relationships

• Monthly question or topic for discussion
• Share activities/projects
• Don’t be shy – ask questions!
• PAM Mentoring Web Page: http://www.sla.org/division/dpam/projects/mentor/index.html

Committee Members:

Student Relations Committee:
Mary Frances Lembo, Chair
David O. Landry
James Manasco
John Sandy

PAM Mentoring Subcommittee:
Michael Fosmire, Chair
Shaun Hardy
Mary Frances Lembo
Ann Redfield

Page last updated: October 25, 2000