Toolkit

PURPOSE

Provide resources for mentors and mentees that will help them foster a positive and meaningful relationship with one another.

SUGGESTED DISCUSSION TOPICS

  • Resume review

  • Cover letter review

  • Diversity, equity, and inclusion in libraries

  • How to manage conflict in the workplace

  • New trends in technology

  • Professional development opportunities

  • Involvement in PaLA

  • Career goals

  • Library leadership

  • Getting your foot in the door: How to get that first job

  • Valuable Resources to Use

  • Apps and Libraries

  • Media Mentorship

  • Libraries: Repositories vs. Community Centers

  • Wellness & Self-care

SUGGESTED CONVERSATION STARTERS

(Questions that can be asked and answered by both parties)

  • What are your expectations for this mentorship program?

  • What current trends in libraries have you most excited? Why?

  • Where do you see libraries in the next 5 years? 10 years?

  • What are your favorite library resources?

  • What drew you to this profession?

SUGGESTED READING LIST

PaLA mentorship program: Reviewing the past, looking ahead. (E. Reed, 2020, PaLA Bulletin). This article is about our mentorship program!

Full Issue all about "Mentoring". (2016, OLA Quarterly).

The next generation may not want your mentoring. (S. Bell, 2013, Library Journal).

Mentoring gen-X librarians. (C. Bloomquist, 2014, Public Libraries).

Mentorship 101: On the job. (L. Comito, 2016, Library Journal).

Ask the experts: How do I find a mentor? (L. Daskal, 2014, Fast Company).

From both sides now: Mentoring the next generation of librarians. (M. Farkas, 2016, American Libraries).

Fostering librarian leadership through mentoring. (L. M. Golian-Lui, 2003, Adult Learning).

A short guide to being mentored: Tips for strong relationships. (M. Goodset, 2019, College & Research Libraries News).

Building a strong foundation: Mentoring programs for novice tenure-track librarians in academic libraries. (M. Goodset & A. Walsh, 2019, College & Research Libraries).

Are you mentoring or coaching? Definitions matter. (L. Hussey & J. Campbell-Meier, 2020, Journal of Librarianship and Information Science).

The importance of professional organizations and mentoring in enabling leadership. (M. P. Johnston, 2013, Knowledge Quest).

7 traits of great mentors. (S. Johnston, 2015, Fast Company).

Growing librarians: Mentorship in an academic library. (M. Lee, 2009, Library Leadership & Management).

Mentors make it better...but not all are created equal. (S. McHone-Chase, 2016, ILA Reporter).

The role of mentoring. (M. Stephens, 2011, Library Journal).

Mentoring A-Z. (J. Todaro, 2015, American Library Association).


Download the Suggested Reading List bibliography.