Program
Description | Information
about the SCOPA Liaison
Background
on the Mentoring Programs
In May and September of 1999, SCOPA hosted two focus group discussions designed
to help create better opportunities for newer librarians to make connections
with their colleagues, particularly those with higher rankings and more experience.
The first session was limited to librarians at the I and II levels and was
centered on the newer librarians in the system, while the second session sought
out the wisdom and concerns of more experienced professionals. Many
excellent suggestions came out of the two sessions, including the creation
of a listserv devoted to professional development issues, web pages
that detail the publications
and committee work of Yale librarians, a series of brown bag lunches, and
a more enhanced orientation program for new librarians. Of these suggestions,
the most prevalent idea was the establishment of a mentoring program.
The
newer librarians at the first session expressed a good deal of anxiety about
the promotion process and general professional development issues, and most
thought there needed to be a better way to make connections within the library
system. They felt a mentoring system could address these concerns and
would be beneficial for a number of reasons. Many individuals shared positive
experiences and felt that mentors could contribute a fresh and broader perspective
on library wide and professional activities, offer advice on publications,
make connections to professional committees, and set good examples on how
to incorporate professional development work into their daily lives.
The forum participants also stressed that the most positive mentoring relationships
have been informal. They thought the most useful mentoring system would
be one that established a structure to make connections, but that the relationships
with mentors should be left to develop freely.
Many
of these same sentiments were echoed at the second session, which was comprised
of individuals who would potentially be mentors. While the discussion
ranged widely on a number of general professional development topics, participants
thought that a mentoring system could be very beneficial to all involved.
The need for an informal system was articulated again, but it was suggested
that "informal does not mean disorganized." Some participants also expressed
the need for clearly defined expectations for mentors within any system.
Informed
by these two meetings, SCOPA decided to establish a Librarian Mentoring
Program.
The
second mentoring program, Future Librarians Mentoring Program was established
in 2004 after SCOPA held two forums on librarianship as a career choice, one
for general information and the second dealing with subject Ph.D. holders
and their possible entry into librarianship.
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This file last modified 03/03/08
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