Survey Responses from ALSC Listserv:
General Impressions:
“Even now, I’ve been in libraries for 8 years, I would love to have a mentor.”
“I think mentoring programs are great ideas. They benefit both the mentee and the mentor.”
“Being able to ‘talk’ with someone experienced in my area of the profession who did not work in my library or system [is] very helpful.”
“I think [mentoring programs] are lacking greatly in the library field and would love to see a strong mentoring program created and advertised.”
“There are too few [mentoring programs] for professionals who have been in the field for more than 5-10 years, but are not yet at the 20 year level.”
“Having a ‘mentoring list’ doesn’t really help new librarians. I think it would be better to pair off a new librarian with one mentor.”
Elements of Mentoring Programs:
“Since I supervise staff I would love to have a mentor who supervises staff as well.”
“I would love to mentor someone who is just starting in youth services.”
“Clearly stated expectations, specific purpose, and a specific time frame.”
“I don’t think mentoring has to be face to face. Hooking up electronically should be an option.”
“[M]entoring programs should specify some level of involvement that both the mentor and mentee would understand and find agreeable.”
“Ideally, a mentoring relationship would match up people who have the same basic occupation (i.e. public library, teen services) so that the mentor would have an accurate frame of reference with which to provide advice and guidance.”
“Good matches with someone in a position that you would like to be in or someone established in a position in which you are new.”
“Strong communication between mentor and mentee.”
“Someone I could make a real connection with and learn a lot from – someone to really get me thinking and moving in the direction I want to go in.”
“Personal development. I participated in the Illinois State Library’s ‘Synergy’ leadership training program. It was a life-changing experience. I would like to see long-term relationships nurtured.”
“There should be some guidelines or training for the mentor as well as the mentee so they both know what the expectations are for the program.”
“There should be some opportunities for face-to-face, but a great deal of mentoring can occur by phone or email.”