YALSA's Virtual Mentoring Program
YALSA’s virtual mentoring program pairs an experienced librarian with a new librarian or graduate student in a Library Science program. YALSA believes that we all have important skills and knowledge that we can share with one another and so this program encourages protégés to share their skills and know-how with their mentor.
This is a virtual mentoring program, so there is no requirement to meet face to face. All participants are required to devote 4 hours per month for a continuous 12 month period to the program. The program runs from August 1, 2013 - July 31, 2014.
Participants are strongly encouraged to design a project to work on throughout the mentoring year with their mentoring partner. Mentors are required to have 5 or more years of professional library experience.
Mentoring Application Materials
Applications for YALSA’s Virtual Mentoring program are open from March 19-April 30, 2013. All interested candidates must submit a completed application and one (1) recommendation form to YALSA by Tuesday, April 30.
Mentor Applicants
Guidelines
Mentor Application
Mentor Letter of Recommendation Form
Protege applicants
Guidelines
Protege Application
Protege Letter of Recommendation Form
2013 - 2014 Mentoring Application Timeline
March 19 – April 30, 2013: Applications accepted for mentors and protégés
April 30 – June 1, 2013: Task Force reviews applications
Early July: Letters sent out to accepted mentors and protégés
July 9-30: Online training events for mentors and protégés
Early August: Mentors matched with protégés
Frequently Asked Questions
Questions about the program? Please read our FAQ or contact us at yalsa@ala.org or 1-800-545-2433 ext. 5293
Q: What is the time commitment for the YALSA mentoring program?
A: All mentors and protégés are asked to participate in online training sessions during the month of July and additional training sessions throughout the mentoring year. All participants are expected to give at least four hours per month to the program.
Q: How long is the program?
A: The mentoring program runs for 12 months, from August 2013 through July 2014.
Q: Who can apply for the program?
A: YALSA members who are graduate students in Library Science programs and Young Adult librarians with four or less years of service are invited to complete the protégé application. YALSA members who are young adult services librarians, secondary school librarians, administrators or library educators with five or more years of service are invited to complete the mentor application.Please note that both mentors and protégés must submit a reference form.
Q: When does the program begin?
A: Accepted applicants will be notified in early July and mentors and protégés will be matched in August 2013.
Q: How do I communicate with my mentor/protégé?
A: Once you are matched with your mentor/protégé the two of you will decide how best to communicate with one another.
Q: How does the program work?
A: This is a virtual mentoring program. Participants communicate with each other primarily through phone/email/skype/chat. After being matched with his or her mentor, the protégé will contact the mentor and determine when and how they will communicate. Mentors and protégés should establish short-term and long-term goals for the year, which meet the learning needs of both the mentor and protégé. YALSA encourages mentors and protégés to identify and collaborate on specific activities to support the learning goals of the mentoring relationship.
YALSA will provide participants with a handbook that includes monthly discussion topics as well as a suggested list of resources that mentors and protégés can use to develop their mentoring goals or jump start their mentoring conversations and activities. In addition, YALSA will provide a space on ALA Connect for mentors and another for protégés. The space can be used for sharing resources, networking, exchanging ideas and more. YALSA will also host quarterly training sessions for mentors and protégés. If enough participants indicate an interest, YALSA will host a get together for mentors and protégés at ALA’s 2014 Midwinter Meeting and Annual Conference. At the conclusion of the program, mentors and protégés will be asked to complete a program evaluation.
Q: Why does YALSA strongly encourage protégés to have a project to work on throughout the mentoring year?
A: YALSA has found that protégés who apply to the program with firm goals and a project in mind have greater success and get more out of their mentoring partnership. YALSA does not assign projects to protégés because everyone’s needs are different. Having a project or goal in mind when entering the program helps give shape and structure to your mentoring relationship.
Q: How will I be matched up with my partner?
A: A Task Force, appointed by the YALSA president, will review the submitted applications. The task force will match accepted mentor and protégé applicants based on type of library, geographic location, and areas of interest.
