The goal of the ACRL DVC Mentorship Program is to match up library school students, new librarians, and librarians considering a job change with an experienced librarian mentor who will provide advice, guidance, and act as a sounding board. We encourage everyone in the Delaware Valley to join this program as either a mentor or mentee.
Successful professionals often list mentor/mentee experiences as having a significant positive impact on their careers and we want to allow everyone to get involved. The program is available throughout a sizeable geographic region, and mentors are available in university, college, and community college libraries in areas of administration, archives, special collections, public, and technical services.
It is important that both the mentor and mentee remember that the mentoring relationship is a real professional relationship. Each mentoring relationship will be different because the people involved in the relationship are different. Before embarking on this journey, it is important that both parties begin their relationship by working together to set goals and expectations early on in the process. Mentors are encouraged to ask their mentees about their needs, and mentees should make sure to clearly articulate to their mentors what they expect to receive from this mentoring relationship. One expectation of any relationship is communication between the two parties involved. Frequent communication is key to any relationship, so each mentor/mentee pair may want to establish a regular time to “check in” with each other, either via email, over the phone, or in person. We strongly recommend a blend of in-person and virtual interactions, but it ultimately depends upon what works best for both of you. The frequency and modality of your relationship depend on what the two parties decide upon, so it is crucial to discuss these things from the start and renegotiate as necessary.
Advice for Mentors:
While your mentee should be able to articulate what they want from this relationship, you may have to take the initiative to start this conversation and guide the process by suggesting potential activities or discussions that you and your mentee could have. We strongly recommend regularly checking in with your mentee and asking how they are doing. Please remember that you are trying to help your mentee achieve their goals, not your goals for them, so be sensitive to their desires and expectations.
Here are some potential activities/discussion topics your mentee could benefit from:
- Review your mentee’s resume
- Invite your mentee to tour your library or shadow you for a day
- Take your menWhile your mentee should be able to articulate what they want from this relationship, you may have to take the initiative to start this conversation and guide the process by suggesting potential activities or discussions that you and your mentee could have. We strongly recommend regularly checking in with your mentee and asking how they are doing. Please remember that you are trying to help your mentee achieve their goals, not your goals for them, so be sensitive to their desires and expectations.
Here are some potential activities/discussion topics your mentee could benefit from:
- Review your mentee’s resume
- Invite your mentee to tour your library or shadow you for a day
- Take your mentee out to lunch
- Attend a professional development meeting with your mentee (including, but not limited to, ACRL-DVC events)
- Provide suggestions for ways in which your mentee can become actively involved in professional associations
- Discuss career plans, topics related to your mentee’s classes/interests your mentee is taking, your work experiences, etc.
- Share best practices that you’ve learned during your career
- Arrange for your mentee to meet with co-workers or other professionals who might be able to provide them with different information or a different point of view
Advice for Mentees:
While the mentor gains satisfaction from connecting with colleagues and passing on their experiences, YOU, the mentee, are the primary beneficiary of this relationship. As a result, it is up to you to take an active role in collecting and filtering the advice you receive from your mentor, and using it to create your own path in the profession. Do not be shy in asking your mentor for help, but show that you respect their time and effort by listening critically and objectively to what they have to say. Actively participate to get the most out of your experience! At the same time, you should also keep in mind that your mentor is just one person and that other librarians may have different opinions and different experiences. Please do not forget to express gratitude for the time your mentor dedicates to your relationship.
Mentorship Program Application
If you are interested in being a mentor or a mentee, please complete our Mentorship Program Application.
For questions or more information, please contact the ACRL-DVC Vice President (vicepresident@acrldvc.org)