Mentoring Opportunities
Mentoring benefits both the new librarian and the experienced professional as each learns from the insights and perspectives of the other. This page presents information and resources to help you learn more about these transformative experiences.
ALA Mentoring Programs * Affiliate Mentoring Programs
ALA Mentoring Programs
Divisions, Sections and Round Tables all run mentoring programs. Learn how you can be involved!
ACRL Dr. E. J. Josey Mentoring Program for Spectrum Scholars links participating library school students and newly graduated librarians, who are of American Indian/Alaska Native, Asian, Black/African American, Hispanic/Latino or Native Hawaiian/Other Pacific Islander descent, with established academic librarians. Eligibility: Must be a personal ACRL member. Timeline: Application opens in November.
ACRL College Library Directors Mentor Program matches a first-year college library director with an experienced college library director.
ACRL Instruction Section Mentoring Program contributes to the professional development of academic librarians interested in information literacy instruction and improving their teaching skills by pairing librarians experienced in teaching with librarians new to instruction or to the Instruction Section. Timeline: Application opens in September.
ACRL Rare Books and Manuscripts Section Mentorship aims to support the professional growth of RBMS members by encouraging and facilitating communication among members, providing opportunities for meaningful connection and discussion, and creating an environment that supports the individual needs and identities of our membership. Eligibility: Must be an ACRL RBMS member.
Core Mentoring Program facilitates and encourages professional development of Core members at any stage in their career and in any of the areas related to our work. The Core Mentoring Program aims to develop strong leadership in areas of librarianship covered by Core; support members in developing their professional skills; cultivate leadership and involvement in Core; provide networking opportunities, and expand members’ professional learning circles. Eligibility: Must be a Core member. Timeline: Application opens in August, formal mentoring begins in December and ends in June.
Library Research Round Table Mentorship Program matches novice researchers (mentees) with mentors experienced in library and information science research methodologies. Mentees can request support with research design, identifying publication outlets, creating articles from postgraduate research, and more! Mentors will have the opportunity to share their experiences and be an integral part of the development of researchers. Timeline: Application opens in July formal mentoring begins in September and ends in June.
New Members Round Table program pairs a more experienced NMRT member with a new ALA member with less than five years experience as a librarian.
RUSA History Section - Academic Librarians Committee Mentoring Program provides professional development for the section by connecting experienced history librarians with those new to the field in mentor/mentee pairs. Review the RUSA HS-ALC Mentoring Program Guidelines (pdf) for more information on expectations and eligibility for both mentors and Mentees. Eligibility: ALA or RUSA membership is not required, but members will be prioritized in order of RUSA HS-ALC membership, RUSA membership, ALA membership. Timeline: applications period is in September for the fall semester; mentoring period is September - May. Mentee Application Form | Mentor Application Form
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Affiliate Mentoring Programs
Many library associations affiliated with ALA also offer mentorship programs.
Asian Pacific American Librarians Association(APALA) Mentoring Program
Medical Library Association Mentoring Program
Middle East Librarians’ Association Mentoring Program
Music Library Association Mentoring Resources
Society of American Archivists Mentoring Program
