ACRL/NY Mentoring Program

The Greater New York Metropolitan Area Chapter of the Association of College and Research Libraries (ACRL/NY) is pleased to offer a mentoring program for the 2026-2027 academic year. Applications will be accepted July 9, 2026 to August 7, 2026. Please consider participating or forwarding this information to those you think might be interested.

The ACRL/NY Mentoring Program contributes to the professional development of librarians by pairing experienced academic librarians with Library & Information Science students, those new to the field, or someone working in a different library setting looking to switch to academic libraries. The program creates a formal and informal forum for the exchange of ideas between mentors and mentees, provides them with opportunities for a shared learning experience, and makes available the benefits of networking within the librarian community.

Mentors and mentees will be paired up based on expertise, interests, and need. Most communication takes place via email or online meeting (based on the mentor’s and mentee’s preference) and is encouraged by monthly discussion topics. Program participants should be able to commit to communicating with their mentee/mentor at least once per month.

Want to be a Mentor?

Mentors are library workers who offer significant experience (5+ years) and/or a knowledge base in specific areas of librarianship (e.g., instruction, research and writing for publication, web design, management, subject expertise). Most importantly, mentors are enthusiastic about sharing their knowledge to benefit someone new to the profession or seeking a job. Mentors must be ACRL/NY members at the time of acceptance into the program.

A mentor is someone who:

Openly shares their professional experiences as they relate to areas of the mentee’s interests;
Carefully listens and offers advice and encouragement;
Assists with career development, exploration, and advancement, including specialized areas as applicable (e.g. guidance in changing library career tracks, publishing and presenting, working in a specific role or library setting, etc.).

To apply to be a mentor in the ACRL/NY Mentoring Program, please complete the form. Applications will be accepted July 9, 2026 to August 7, 2026.

Want to be a Mentee?

A mentee can be a Library & Information Science student, someone with less than five (5) years of professional library experience, or someone working in a different library setting (e.g. public libraries) looking to switch to academic libraries. Mentees do not need to be based in the New York Metropolitan Area to participate. Mentees must be ACRL/NY members at the time of acceptance into the program.

A mentee is someone who may:

Benefit from help navigating professional library settings;
Seek career and job search advice;
Have interest in connecting with a new colleague;
Benefit from feedback on how to progress in the field, how to explore other areas of librarianship, or how to advance in their current role.

To apply to be a mentee in the ACRL/NY Mentoring Program, please complete the form. Applications will be accepted July 9, 2026 to August 7, 2026.

Questions?

Please contact Eamon Tewell, Mentoring Program Coordinator, at mentoring@acrlny.org

ACRL/NY
P.O. Box 8331
New York, NY 10116-8331

webteam@acrlny.org

ACRL/NY does its best to ensure that all events and meetings are as accessible as possible. Those seeking individualized requests for accommodations are encouraged to contact acrlnypresident@gmail.com or the meeting organizers as soon as possible so that a good faith effort can be made to meet the identified needs.