Promoting the Success of a New Academic Librarian Through a Formal

Mentoring Program

The State University of West Georgia Experience

By Brian Kooy and Allyson Davis

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Our definition of mentoring

Mentoring is a cooperative and nurturing

relationship where one person (the mentor)

invests time, know-how, and effort in enhancing

another person’s professional growth,

knowledge, and skills, in ways that prepare the

Individual for greater productivity or

achievement in the future.

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Developing the program

Structure of the program Factors in the selection of a mentor Who should participate in the program Length of the program Roles of the participants Documentation and assessment of the

program

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Informal programs

Less structured Provide greater flexibility Allow participants to “find” each other Allow for a more casual relationship Have the potential to be less time consuming Allow mentoring to “just happen”

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Formal programs

Are more structured Have a beginning and an end Have a method of no-fault termination Establish measurable goals and outcomes Develop a timeline to meet agreed upon

goals Document Progress Develop a system to appraise the program

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Factors in the selection of a mentor

Potential mentors should be identified All new librarians should be highly encouraged to

participate New “experienced” librarians should be given the

opportunity to participate Protégés should have the opportunity to seek a

mentor on their own After a mentor is chosen, the mentor, protégé, and

department head should meet

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What makes a good mentor?

Supportive Patient People-Oriented A Good Motivator Respectful of Others An Effective Teacher A Good listener Self-Confident

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A good mentor also needs

Desire Time Nurturing personality, but able to provide a

reality check The ability to develop an individual career

development plan

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Length of the relationship

Long enough for protégé to grow Reasonable duration with clearly stated

expectations Ultimately – length depends on the needs of

your institution and participants

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Role of the mentor

Teacher Coach Interpreter/Advisor Provider of interpersonal support

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Role of the mentor, cont.

Provide practical answers Serve as a link to the Library faculty and staff Smooth the way Be a source of suggestions, advice, and

information Offer insights about professional

experiences.

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Responsibility of the protégé

Be willing to learn Accept constructive feedback Identify short term and long range career

goals and accept that those goals may change

Provide open and honest communication and feedback to mentor

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Participate in mentoring process

Do the appropriate “homework” for meetings Work to gain the skills, knowledge, and

abilities to grow Be flexible in considering new options and

way to approach a situation or task Take initiative to seek advice from mentor

when needed

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Purpose of mentoring

Explain how the organization works Identify perceived strengths and develop a plan to

eliminate perceived deficiencies Share critical knowledge that would directly impact

the successful completion of my job responsibilities Help build self-confidence Offer encouragement Increase the likelihood for retention and tenure.

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Building the relationship

Establishing a protected time when meetings will be held

Establishing where meetings will be held Creating a connection – getting to know each

other Agreeing to confidentiality

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Building the relationship, cont.

Fostering an open dialogue Ensuring the mentor offers support, “not”

criticism Nurturing self-sufficiency Encourage problem solving

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Individual goals of the protégé

Specific Directly related to the protégé’s job

responsibilities Measurable Able to be accomplished within a specified

time period.

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A few examples of goals

Performance criteria (job description) Library policies and procedures Liaison duties Merit pay evaluation procedures Tenure / Promotion guidelines Teaching responsibilities Reference desk responsibilities Professional development

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Continue the partnership

Working toward the completion of goals. Filling in the gaps Building self-esteem Evaluating each meeting

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Documenting the process

Keep records Put goals in writing Fill out progress reports at intervals Include accounting of expenses Include narrative of program’s successes or

failures

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Have a periodic checkup

Review progress Review the Individual Career Development

Plan Ask questions

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Benefits of mentoring

Personal support Psychological Support Confidence Building Valuable direction Gaps filled in Make Aware of Professional Development

Opportunities

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Drawbacks of mentoring

Time Keeping the Mentoring Relationship

Professional

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Is a mentoring program right for you? Consider these facts:

RETIREMENT: Based on 1990 Census data, almost 58 percent of

professional librarians will reach the age of 65 between 2005 and 2019.

In 1998, 57 percent of professional librarians were age 45 or older (July 2000 Monthly Labor Review).

Based on a 2000 survey published by Library Journal, 40 percent of library directors said they would retire in nine years or less.

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Is a mentoring program right for you? Consider these facts:

LIBRARY SCHOOLS AND GRADUATES: As of December 2000, there were 58

graduate programs in library and information studies in the United States and Canada accredited by the American Library Association.

Every year since 1990, more than 4,000 persons received their master's degree from these programs.

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Advice on starting a program

Design the program so that it fits the culture of your organization.

Start early Establish and set clear goals Communicate the program’s goals to all

participants Enlist the cooperation of the entire

organization, including the administration.

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Advice on starting a program

Develop a selection process for the mentor/protégé Be assured of the commitment of the

mentors/protégé Give freedom (within established guidelines) to the

mentor/protégé to assess and develop objectives based on the individual needs of the protégé.

Permit withdrawal from the program Give the program a long-term test period Evaluate the program continually

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Mentoring in the Academic Library

Questions?Presentation available online at:http://www.westga.edu/~library/depts/presentations/