Mentoring Program
[Application Form]In the information economy, where change is constantly accelerating and reassessment is continual, everyone can use a little help, especially when getting started and up to speed in the profession. Many institutions have support structures for general professional development, but librarians also need to develop as PAM librarians, learning the skills, resources, and structures particular to those disciplines.
To assist in your personal development as a PAM librarian, the Division sponsors a Mentoring Program. This program can provide:
- A guide to the discipline's information landscape
- Assistance in developing professional competencies
- Evaluation of current competencies
- Help in developing a network of peers
- Career guidance and support
- Evaluation of professional progress
What is a Mentor?
The role of the mentor varies, depending upon the level of commitment established by both the mentor and mentee. Types of mentoring relationships include:
- Teacher, trainer, coach
- Positive role model
- Developer of talent
- Opener of doors
- Protector
- Sponsor
- Successful leader
A mentoring relationship can be established based on just one of these areas, or a mentor can serve in all of these functions. Typically, a mentoring relationship is developed between someone who is new to the profession and a more experienced person in the field. However, mentoring relationships can involve someone who has been in the field for awhile, but is changing career paths and is looking for guidance and support. It can also be someone who is just looking for support and direction. (The Mentorship Handbook: A Guide for SLA Chapters and Divisions to Establish Mentorship Programs, Special Libraries Association.)
Who Should be a Mentor/Mentee?
Mentees should have the following attributes:
|
Good mentors have the following qualities:
|
| Mentors will spend much time and effort in helping you to develop professionally, and they want to know their efforts will be rewarded by your success in and contributions to the profession. | |
Stages of Mentorship
- Exploration:
- Find out about each other, see if there is a match of personality, professional goals, etc.
- Negotiation:
- What does each person want from the relationship? What expectations does each person have for the other? What commitments are required by both parties?
- Affirmation:
- Start work on relationship. Uphold responsibilities laid out in Negotiation phase. Continue to define and redefine relationship. Be open to both teach and learn as competencies are gained.
- Termination:
- There can be a predefined expiration date for the relationship (e.g., a one year commitment), or it can end, hopefully mutually, when interests or professional positions change. Mentorships may continue indefinitely. Mentees may feel able to assume mentor role with another person to continue the cycle.
It is important to resolve expectations at the beginning of the mentorship so that both parties are working toward the same goals. Don't feel pressured to form a mentorship if you are not comfortable with the person assigned to you. We can always find you another partner.
How will the Mentoring Subcommittee Help with My Mentorship?
Using the information from your application form, the Subcommittee matches individuals with similar goals and helps start the process of forming a mentorship. For example, we will help you get to know one another and provide a structure for setting up the parameters of the mentorship.
Once the mentorship is underway, the Subcommittee, if desired, can help to maintain the lines of communication by providing talking points and issues for the participants to discuss. Like any long-distance relationship, maintaining mentorships involves work, and the Subcommittee can be a resource for working out difficulties and answering questions.
We also will ask you for feedback on successful experiences you had in your mentorship, so your efforts can help future mentorships be successful.
What Does the Mentoring Subcommittee Do?
The Subcommittee "facilitates one-on-one learning interactions between PAM members and the inclusion of new members in the activities of the Division. The Subcommittee connects interested members for the purpose of sharing expertise, both in long-term mentoring relationships and short-term skill and knowledge transfer." (PAM Division Manual)
Currently the Mentoring Subcommittee is sponsoring the mentoring program described here, as well as:
- Annual Conference Buddy Program: for newer members who would like someone to show them the ropes at the annual conference...good presentations to hear, how to talk to vendors, introductions to other Division members, etc.
- Expertise Database (forthcoming): You will be able to consult a database of self-identified experts to help you solve your challenges. This service is for short-term skill and knowledge sharing dealing with specific questions and projects (e.g., renovations, new OPACs, etc.)
To sign up as a mentor or a mentee, please use this convenient e-mail application form. If you have any trouble with the online form, you may use the text version to copy and paste into e-mail, or to print and and send through regular mail. Please contact Mentoring Subcommittee Chair Karen Croneis with any questions.
We will send you a confirmation by e-mail to let you know that we received your application. As soon as we find a mentor/mentee that suits your profile, we will introduce you to each other. The pairing usually takes two or three weeks.
Thank you for your interest in the PAM Mentoring Program, and we wish you a productive interaction with your counterpart!
Page last updated: April 2006