January was National Mentoring Month, but there’s still time to make a difference. The ALSC Mentoring Program is in it’s third year of existence and it’s worth re-visiting what the program is all about.
In 2012, the ALSC Emerging Leaders team put together recommendations for a new mentoring program. The original intention was to pair early career professionals with experienced ALSC members. Since Fall 2013, ALSC has been matching mentors and mentees in an effort to make new connections in the profession and increase awareness of interest and familiarity with ALSC committee service and participation.
Mentors and mentees set their own goals and meet on their own time. Matches do a lot of different activities, including mock interviews, writing blog posts, and performing research.
What Does It Take To Be a Mentor?
One difficulty for the program has been in attracting as many mentors as mentees. The misconception is that it is easy to be a mentee, but hard to be a mentor. It couldn’t be further from the truth.
To combat this, the ALSC Membership Committee and Managing Children’s Services Committees have come up with three suggestions for why you should be a mentor:
- Being a mentor is giving back to the profession
- Mentoring requires only a few hours of time per month
- It can be as easy as having a 30-min conversation every two weeks
ALSC has also sought to increase communication about what happens in the program. Every year, ALSC hosts two mentoring forums – one in the fall, one in the spring – to bring matches together to talk about goals and obstacles. If you’re curious check out the recorded webcasts of these events to learn more.
Thank You Mentors and Mentees!
Another one of the new practices of the program is to recognize mentors and mentees for their participation. The following mentors and mentees were matched in Spring 2015. We thank them and wish them well in their future endeavors:
Spring 2015 Mentors
- Jordan Boaz
- Anne Clark
- Mary Cook
- Cheri Crow
- Carol Edwards
- Lucia Gonzalez
- Christie Hamm
- Carol Hopkins
- Abby Johnson
- Kendra Jones
- Julie Jurgens
- Rachel Keeler
- Laura Keonig
- Marybeth Kozikowski
- Mollie Lancaster
- Meghan Malone
- Angie Manfredi
- Allison Murphy
- Brooke Newberry
- Carol Phillips
- Marian Rafl
- Julie Ranelli
- Angela Reynolds
- Kristina Reynolds
- Katie Salo
- Brooke Sheets
- Robin Sofge
- Kelly Von Zee
- Marc Waldron
Spring 2015 Mentees
- Emily Aaronson
- Megan Ashley
- Carly Bastiansen
- Emily Bayci
- Jeannine Birkenfeld
- Amy Cantley
- Katie Carter
- Kathleen Dean
- Jessica Espejel
- Joie Formando
- Haley Frailey
- Rebecca Greer
- Pamela Groseclose
- Emily Heath
- Ajarie Holman
- Kimberly Iacucci
- Amanda Jachec
- Taylor Johnson
- Kristen Jones
- Naara Kean
- Kari Kunst
- Samantha Magee
- Kate Mahoney
- Kyra Nay
- Alison O’Brien
- Renee Perron
- Jessica Ralli
- Amy Steinbauer
- Mary Watring
How You Can Participate
Want to be a mentor or mentee? ALSC is now accepting applications for the Spring 2016 cohort. The deadline to apply is Friday, February 26, 2016.
The post Mentoring: How You Can Give Back to the Profession appeared first on ALSC Blog.
ALSC announced the opening of spring 2015 applications for the ALSC mentoring program. The program, which is open to members and non-members, is intended to help build a new collection of leaders in the field of library service to children. Applications are now open for both mentors and mentees. The application process ends on Saturday, February 28, 2015. Here are a few things to know about the program:
- The program lasts one year
- Mentee applicants do not need to be ALSC or ALA members The only requirement is that mentees have some connection to children’s library service
- Mentees may be students, early career professionals, individuals returning to the profession, or those who would like to refine their skills, make connections, and learn more about children’s librarianship as a career
- Mentors should be ALSC members
- There is no face-to-face requirements
- Mentors and mentees set their own goals and work at their own pace
Mentors and mentees who apply to the program will be matched by members of the ALSC Membership and Managing Children’s Services Committees. The mentoring program was developed through the hard work of these two committees. ALSC cannot guarantee that every applicant will be matched.
For more information on the ALSC Mentoring Program or to apply, please visit http://www.ala.org/alsc/mentoring
The post Mentors and Mentees Wanted! appeared first on ALSC Blog.
January is National Mentoring Month! Today, we’re once again excited to welcome two participants in the ALSC Mentoring Program to the blog. Erin Rogers and Robin Sofge interviewed each other as part of the program and agreed to share their interivew on the blog. Thanks Erin and Robin!
ALSC Mentoring Program participant Erin Rogers (photo courtesy of Erin Rogers)
Erin: I am the children’s librarian at the Gayton Branch of the Henrico County Public Library and have been for the last seven years. I have a passion for play, technology, and alternative picture book organization!
Robin: In December I was thrilled to be hired as a full-time Youth Services Librarian I at the Bull Run Regional Library in Manassas, Virginia. For over two years previously, I was a part-time Youth Services Librarian I at Beatley Central Library in Alexandria, Virginia. Some of my claim to fame at Beatley was starting a Lego Family Night program and a cupcake walk for the Fall Festival.
ALSC Mentoring Program participant Robin Sofge (photo courtesy of Robin Sofge)
Erin: I really wanted to participate because I have been so lucky to have great mentors over the years. Thanks Pat F., Shirley, and Tom! I also LOVE the enthusiasm of new librarians.
Robin: I love learning new things whether from an online class, webinar or another colleague. The virtual meetings and no cost to participate are major benefits in my book too.
3. Why did you join ALSC? Do you belong to any other divisions or roundtables?
Erin: I originally joined ALSC as a student to connect with my profession and recently rejoined for the same reason.
Robin: Ditto. I also have a mentor through the New Member Round Table Career Mentoring Program.
4. What do you think youth service librarians will be doing ten years from now?
Erin: I think youth service librarians will always have some form of storytimes, I would be really surprised if that went away. I think the transition to community center will continue to grow and we will see more playgroups and the like. Our job will be to make sure the library is a destination by providing play experiences, new technology with training, and most importantly a fun welcoming environment where all feel comfortable. I think our collections will get smaller to allow more space but I don’t believe the physical book is in any danger of extinction.
Robin: I believe youth service librarians will be even more valuable in ten years, especially those who can do creative programs on a shoestring budget. I believe librarianship is being transformed right now.
5. Would you rather offer a storytime to a large group of preschoolers or read one-on-one with a child?
Erin: Both can be amazing but if I had to choose I would go with a large group. I love the bustle and seeing the children interact with each other.
Robin: Go large group! I love the action of a big crowd. Some librarians disagree about the quality of programs with big groups. But as long as you’re following fire codes, the kids and adults are enjoying it and you are too, I say go for it.
6. What is one “rule” you wished every librarian followed?
Erin: I wish all librarians weeded. The things it can do for circulation and your patrons is amazing! Check out the CREW guidelines.
Robin: I wish every librarian was passionate about what they did. We can make a difference in our community and the world.
7. What do you like to do in your spare time?
Erin: Reading, especially science fiction and fantasy. Cuddling kitties, my dog who thinks he is a cat, and my partner Sean. I also perform with a belly dance troupe in Richmond and teach beginners classes.
Robin: I don’t have a lot of spare time these days. But one thing I’m super committed to is my book group that started a long time ago with Wally Lamb’s “She’s Come Undone.” One of the best parts has been the road trips that have run the gamut from a storytelling festival to the beach.
8. What have you gotten out of mentorship?
Erin: It has been fun to match up the skills I have with those that Robin wants to learn. Robin has so much enthusiasm for the profession and this program she has been a joy to work with.
Robin: Erin has been a fantastic mentor! The ALSC Mentorship has been a useful career development tool. Erin and I set three specific measurable goals. She was also very supportive when I had a job interview. We did a mock interview in advance. Erin encouraged me to be myself and let my strengths shine. Success, I landed the job! I love my new job!
9. Why did you become a librarian?
Erin: When I decided I didn’t want to teach any more, my first profession, I started scouring want ads to try to figure out what was next for me. One day I ran across an ad for a children’s librarian position and I knew immediately that was what I wanted to do. I moved to South Carolina and went back to school and here I am!
Robin: As a young child, we didn’t have a lot of money and my mom took us to the library all the time. Our neighborhood librarian loved kids. She would open the back door to the library and we would all pile in after school to watch a movie. My first career started as a newspaper reporter. But after my son was born at a mere 3 pounds 15 ounces, I stayed home and we celebrated life at the library. I eventually started as a part-time library aide. I was later hired to work in a new library. Fairfax County Public Library Managers Linda Schlekau and Cindy Hall believed in me and encouraged me to get my MLIS. That motivated me to go for it.
The post 2015 ALSC Mentoring Program Interview appeared first on ALSC Blog.
There’s a lot of research out there that suggests that mentoring is pretty good for you. In adult-mentoring-children scenarios, research shows that the mentoring relationship assists in developing stronger ties to the community. Individuals who participate in a mentoring relationship experience:
- improved self-esteem
- improved communication skills
- reduction in depressive symptoms
- greater social acceptance
- better academic attitudes
Career mentoring isn’t much different. Professional mentoring relationships help create connections and foster career growth. In fact, these are two of the objectives of the ALSC Mentoring Program. The others:
1. Build the skills and confidence of early career children’s librarians and those new to the profession
2. Encourage personal and professional connections
3. Give members the opportunity to acquire peer-taught skills
4. Re-energize and re-invigorate members in their work
5. Create interest and familiarity with ALSC committee service and participation
6. Build familiarity with ALSC’s Competencies for Librarians Serving Children in Public Libraries
7. Foster the development of a new cohort of leaders
The ALSC Mentoring Program is entering its second year of existence and we’re looking for some good mentors and mentees. Applications for the Fall 2014 program are now open. Please submit your application by Friday, August 25, 2014.
We hope that you’re interested in participating, because we think you’ll get a lot out of it.
