Mentoring Matters
Jeannie An, McMaster University
Allison Bell, University of Toronto
Outline
Background
Building a Mentoring Programme
Types of Mentoring
The Mentoring Experience
Roles and Sustainability
Reflections
Your Experiences?
Have you been involved in mentoring, as a mentor or protégé?
Name one quality your partner had that made him/her a good mentor/mentee.
Background
Why develop a mentoring program? at McMaster? In general?
4-Way Benefits of Mentoring
To the Protégé
To the Mentor
To the Library
To the Profession
4-Way Benefits of Mentoring
To the Protégé-Learn about the job, institution, & librarianship in general -Get help with setting and meeting goals -Broader perspective of the world of librarianship-Assistance with research and publication-Greater or more successful engagement in profession -Networking opportunities
To the Mentor-‘Growth in Place: learning & career revitalization opportunity-Prestige and Personal gratification in seeing your protégé’s enhanced performance -Reverse mentorship, more experienced librarian will learn from their protégé -Networking and collaboration opportunity
To the Library/Institution-Novice librarians can learn required skills for the job/institutional information more quickly-Staff develops talent which contributes to the reputation of the organization -Managerial development and succession planning within the organization-Increases collegiality, collaboration and Engagement -creates or enhances a sense of community
To the Profession-Knowledge of industry events/committees, etc.-Encourages participation from new librarians in professional organizations and publications-Enhances knowledge of the breadth of the library field across many types of libraries-May enhance caliber of research & publication within the field-creates or enhances a sense of community
Building a Mentoring Program
Building blocks:
Cornell Library Mentoring Program: https://confluence.cornell.edu/display/prodev/Mentorship+Program
McMaster Centre for Leadership and Learning
Professional Managers Mentoring Program (U of T)
Building a Mentoring Program continued…
Structure of Program Planning Volunteers & Matching Formal Agreements Launch of Program
Mentoring @ McMasterTimeline
Summer 2006 – initial planning
Initial pilot – Dec. 2006 – Dec. 2007
Formal programme launched fall 2007
Review and recommendations submitted Jan 2009
Types of Mentoring
Traditional Mentoring
Targeted Mentoring
Group Mentoring
Reverse Mentoring
Peer Mentoring
What Excellent Mentors Do
Matters of Skill Be there
Know your protégé
Encourage and support
Nurture creativity
Provide correction –even when painful
Teach faceting
When things go wrong
Above all, do not harm
Slow down the process
Seek consultation
Document carefully
Reflections on the Mentoring Experience
Sustainability of Formal Program
Personal experiences
Useful Resources
“The Elements of Mentoring.” By W. Brad Johnson & Charles R. Riley, 2004
“The Handbook of Mentoring at Work: Theory, Research & Practice.” Edited by Belle Rose Ragins & Kathy Kram, 2008
CLA website: Career Development – Mentoring http://www.cla.ca/AM/Template.cfm?Section=Mentoring&Template=/CM/HTMLDisplay.cfm&ContentID=2487
“The Successful Academic Librarian.” Edited by Gwen Meyer Gregory, 2005
In Review: Outline
Background
Building a Mentoring Programme
Types of Mentoring
The Mentoring Experience
Roles and Sustainability
Reflections
Questions and Discussion
Thank You!