Mentoring Program

The Association of College and Research Libraries / Greater New York Metropolitan Area Chapter is pleased to offer another round of mentoring partnerships for the 2023-2024 academic year. Please consider participating and/or forwarding an application to those you think might be interested.

The ACRL/NY Mentoring Program contributes to the professional development of academic librarians by pairing experienced academic librarians with LIS students or those new to the field. The program creates a formal and informal forum for the exchange of ideas between paired mentors and mentees, provides them with opportunities for a shared learning experience, and makes available the benefits of networking within the academic librarian community.

Mentors and Mentees will be paired up based on expertise and need. Most communication is done via email and encouraged by monthly discussion topics (program participants should be able to commit to communicating with their mentee/mentor at least two times per month). We will be developing in-person programs in conjunction with the New Librarians Discussion Group to be held at different times during the year.

Want to be a Mentor?

Mentors are library professionals who offer significant experience (5+ years) or an exceptional knowledge base in specific areas (e.g., administration; research and writing for publication; web design; reference and instruction; access services; project management) of the field of library and information science. Most importantly, they are enthusiastic about the profession and eager to give back to it by offering their time and counsel as mentors. Mentors must be ACRL/NY members, and should be willing to participate in discussion groups (e.g., the New Librarians Discussion Group) and/or other ACRL/NY committees as availability allows. A mentor is someone who:

  • Encourages professional behavior;
  • Assists with a specialized area (e.g., publishing, guidance in changing library career tracks, the tenure process, specific subject area, working in a specific role or with a specific tool/resource/technology, etc.);
  • Offers encouragement and inspires self-confidence and excellence;
  • Listens and offers advice;
  • Assists with career development, exploration, and advancement.

To apply to be a Mentor in the ACRL/NY Mentoring Program, fill out the form.

Want to be a Mentee?

A mentee is an LIS student, a new librarian, or someone with less than five (5) years of professional library experience. All mentees must agree to join ACRL/NY and participate in the ACRL/NY New Librarians Discussion Group as availability allows. A mentee is someone who:

  • May need some initial help navigating professional library settings;
  • May need assistance with job application materials, and/or finding and applying for jobs;
  • Has limited resources within their library or institution for professional communication, training opportunities, or advice;
  • Does not possess needed experience in certain specialized areas (e.g., publishing, changing library career tracks, the tenure process, working in a specific role or with a specific tool/resource/technology, etc.);
  • Would like a new professional contact who can inspire self-confidence and excellence;
  • Is not sure how to develop in the profession, how to explore other areas of academic librarianship, or how to advance in their role.

To apply to be a Mentee in the ACRL/NY Mentoring Program, fill out the form.

Questions?

Contact Eamon Tewell and Shawn(ta) Smith-Cruz, Mentoring Program Co-Coordinators, acrlnymentoring@gmail.com.