Career mentoring description:

The NMRT Career Mentoring program will last from October to July. Conference attendance is not required. Membership in ALA is required, and NMRT membership is encouraged. Applications are due September 21.

Each pair will have a member of the NMRT Mentoring Committee assigned to them. This committee member will notify the mentor and mentee of their pairing, and send them monthly discussion topics via email. Mentors and mentees are of course free to discuss whatever they want, whenever and however they would like. These topics are merely guidelines. The committee member will also serve as a troubleshooter if any problems come up, for example if you stop hearing from your partner or never make contact.

We will try to make everything go as smoothly as possible, but the unforeseen will likely arise. Please feel free to send us any and all questions, comments, criticisms and accolades that you may have.

Participant Guidelines:

Mentors:

We encourage mentors from all types of libraries, in all positions, to apply for the career mentoring program. We ask that mentors be an ALA member, be employed in a professional position for at least five years, and be willing to correspond either via email or phone with their mentee at least twice a month. Mentors will be expected to initiate contact with the mentee at the start of the program with an introductory email. If there are ever any administrative questions, mentors will have access to an NMRT Mentoring Committee member to help troubleshoot. At the end of the program, mentors will be asked to give feedback to the Committee to help determine how the program can be improved. Mentors will receive a letter recognizing their service in this program for their files upon request.

Mentees:

We welcome mentees from all types of libraries, in all positions, to apply for the career mentoring program. We ask that mentees be a member of ALA, be employed in a professional position for 6 months-5 years, and be willing to correspond via email or phone wit h their mentor at least twice a month. This is not intended as a job search program; please consult the Resume Review Service Committee for more assistance with gaining initial employment in the field. Mentors will be expected to introduce themselves to you initially via email at the start of the program, at which point mentees will respond with an introduction of their own. If there are ever any administrative questions, mentees will have access to an NMRT Mentoring Committee member to help troubleshoot. At the end of the program, mentees will be asked to give feedback to the Committee to help determine how the program can be improved. Mentees will receive a letter recognizing their participation in this program for their files upon request.

All Participants:

All participants are asked to recognize that participating in this program involves a time commitment and a commitment to your mentor/mentee. Further, participants are asked to inform the NMRT committee member supervising their pairing if there are any problems contacting their partner at any time. Finally, mentors and mentees should keep in mind that this program is a learning experience for all participants.

Apply today to be part of this exciting new project! The form can be found online at here. If you have any questions, please contact us at NMRT_Mentoring@yahoo.com.