Mentoring for Success in Academic Libraries OLA Super Conference February 4, 2005

What is Mentoring ? Developmental, caring, sharing and helping relationshipDevelopmental, caring, sharing and helping relationship Investment of time, know-how and effortInvestment of time, know-how and effort For growth, knowledge, skillsFor growth, knowledge, skills To meet critical needsTo meet critical needs To prepare for the futureTo prepare for the future

Why Mentoring? A lot has been writtenA lot has been written Many types of programsMany types of programs Urgent needUrgent need Call to actionCall to action

Canadian Situation Canadian Library Human Resource StudyCanadian Library Human Resource Study What we know:What we know: –majority of library workforce is older –200 to 400 librarians retiring each year –4000 retirements

Projected Number of Retirements Per Year to 2014 (Red at age 60; Blue at age 65) Age 65 Age 60+

Who’s Doing What? Association mentoringAssociation mentoring Informal Library mentoringInformal Library mentoring Formal Library mentoringFormal Library mentoring

Benefits of Mentoring To the MenteeTo the Mentee –Shape own growth and career planning –Advice on issues beyond day to day work –Exposure to new areas –Support

Benefits of Mentoring To the MentorTo the Mentor –Contribute to the growth of potential future leaders –Intellectual stimulation of new ideas –Transfer of knowledge

Benefits of Mentoring To the LibraryTo the Library –Improved performance of mentee –Enriched perspective of mentor –Continuum of organizational history / knowledge –Positive atmosphere

Context OrientationOrientation Tenure/Permanent Status/PromotionTenure/Permanent Status/Promotion LeadershipLeadership –mid-career

Mid-career Mentorship A balancing act of mentor and mentee

Introduction Why focus on mentoring in regards to mid- career librarians?Why focus on mentoring in regards to mid- career librarians?

What is ‘mid-career’? CharacteristicsCharacteristics TransitionsTransitions

Making the transition, pt. 1 Are you ready to mentor others?Are you ready to mentor others?

Making the transition, pt. 2 -Are you thinking about the next stage of your own career?

Developing a plan Customization is keyCustomization is key a. Do’s and don’ts b. Mentoring toolkit c. Our plan

a. Do / Don’t DO…. –Consider the type of program you want – State what goals and objectives are – Do your homework DON’T -Make program one-size-fits all -Require participation of senior librarians -Set up false expectations

b. Mentoring Toolkit Brochure on mentoring at different career stagesBrochure on mentoring at different career stages Best practicesBest practices BibliographyBibliography WebsiteWebsite

c. Our plan Focus groupFocus group Wider consultationWider consultation Working groupWorking group A draft planA draft plan

Conclusion Website - arc.utsc.utoronto.ca/ola/Website - arc.utsc.utoronto.ca/ola/ QuestionsQuestions Thank youThank you