Mentoring in Librarianship

A Michigan resident, Carol Smallwood has practiced in school, public and special libraries. Her primary interest is practical librarianship, and she is the author of journal articles and editor of numerous books. Rebecca Tolley-Stokes is an associate professor and librarian at East Tennessee State University. She lives in Johnson City, Tennessee.

“a valuable resource...strengthens the case for mentoring systems to be much more widely established as a normal and formal feature of our professional life”—The Australian Library Journal; “Mentoring offers a roadmap for experienced librarians to pass on their knowledge to students and early career librarians who are ‘still in growth mode.’ This book is especially timely in light of the number of experienced librarians who will retire and exit the profession in the next few years as it offers concrete guidelines to continue the chain of knowledge.”—Lois Stickell, Research Services Librarian University of North Carolina at Charlotte; “Mentoring in Librarianship provides innovative, timely, and practical tips on implementing mentor/mentee relationships in all types of libraries. This book provides a fresh perspective on what it means to be a mentor in today’s libraries.”–Erin Davis, Assistant Librarian, Utah State University; “This anthology is a valuable resource for those considering entering into a mentoring relationship. These articles provide insight into what is expected from both mentor and mentee and how to structure a mentorship based on the needs of both parties.”—Heather Zabriskie, Youth Programs Coordinator, Orange County Library System, Orlando, Florida; “This book will be an important resource for both new and experienced librarians in any stage of their careers.”—Allan Cho, University of British Columbia Library. “Mentoring in Librarianship is an excellent collection of what works on all aspects of mentoring.”—Regina Koury, Electronic Resources Librarian, Idaho State University; “This anthology contains a wealth of information and is the perfect mentor for how to go about mentoring!”—Lisa L. Crane, Western American Librarian, Claremont Colleges Library; “Mentoring in Librarianship is a great resource for all types of librarians or libraries developing a mentoring program. Those new to the profession or those thinking of creating a mentoring program will find easy plans with ideas of what works and what doesn’t to save you time.”—Victoria Lynn Packard, Coordinator of Instructional Services & Distance Learning, Texas A&M University–Kingsville; “The authors give a cohesive view of mentoring that understands and promotes this artful practice as a way to communicate the enduring values and core competencies to emerging talent.”—James Lund, Director, Red Wing Public Library, Red Wing, Minnesota; “All-in-one guide to the concept of mentoring for library professionals, this book outlines not just practical considerations but philosophies and meditations for librarians in mentoring positions. If you’re interested in being a steward, mentor, guide or friend to someone considering a career in librarianship, this collection of essays from academic and special librarians will give you plenty of angles to consider and stories to take to heart.”–Jessamyn West, author, Without a Net: Librarians Bridging the Digital Divide.

• Table of ContentsPreface      Part I: Philosophical Questions and Practical Applications1. Creating a Mentoring Community in an Undergraduate LibraryMichelle Twait, Jeff A. Jenson, and Anna J. Hulseberg      2. Creating Good Karma through Mentoring and Passing ItChristina Stoll      3. Developing Criteria and Goals for a Mentoring ProgramAllison T. Coltin      4. The Importance of Structured Time Between Mentors and MenteesJamal L. Cromity      5. Mentoring from the Perspective of MenteesNicole Pasini      6. Learning Outcomes and Cultural Context of MentoringDanielle M. Colbert-Lewis      7. Mentoring with Leaders: TipsVandella Brown      8. “Serendipitous Mentoring” in Small College LibrariesKyle M.L. Jones and Jacob Hill      9. Steps Involved in Being a MentorMyrtis Cochran      Part II: Mentoring Students10. Begin at the Beginning: Mentoring Student Employees in the ArchivesMorgan R. Davis      11. Making a Connection: Mentoring High School Students in Special CollectionsKeith Phelan Gorman      12. Mentoring on the Fly: Seizing MomentsPat Duck      13. Mentoring Undergraduate Students: Examples, Steps, and Collaborative Campus EffortsWen-ying Lu      14. My One Room Schoolhouse: Mentoring in a Diverse ClassroomStacy Russo      15. Putting Interest Where the Work Is: Mentoring Students through Library Digital Production ActivitiesBradley J. Daigle      Part III: Mentoring Students in Library School16. Creating a Structured Program to Help Staff Earn Their MLISMatthew Pacer      17. Mentoring MLIS Students in Collaborative Virtual Reference: The AskColorado ProgramKris Johnson      18. Mentoring MLIS Graduate StudentsJodee L. Kawasaki      19. Early Career Librarians Helping LIS Students and Recent GraduatesLisa Campbell      20. Librarians as Mentors for Adults and StudentsMary Jo McKeon      21. Beyond the Classroom: Mentoring MSLIS Students in an Academic LibraryKaty Kelly      22. The Job Search: Application to NegotiationJennifer O’Brien Roper      Part IV: Mentoring Librarians23. The Art of Mentoring Across DisciplinesThomas Caswell      24. Betwixt and Between: The Junior Academic Librarian as MentorNorda Majekodunmi      25. Mentoring the Library Assistant in an Independent School LibraryJanet L. Silvano      26. Mentoring at a DistanceAline Soules      27. Mentoring a New Distance Education LibrarianAnnie Knight      28. Mentoring Librarians One-on-One as an Experienced CatalogerRuth Elder      29. Trickle Down Teaching: Encouraging Collaborative Teaching by Using a Peer Model of Mentoring New Instruction LibrariansMartinique M. Haller      About the ContributorsS      Index