LTAIG Mentoring Program

Statement of Purpose
The Library Technicians’ and Assistants’ Interest Group (LTAIG) Mentoring Program exists to connect and empower its members by fostering positive relationships within the profession. We strive to create a vibrant community of sharing and continuous growth, and to encourage leadership and commitment to the profession.

Potential benefits for mentors include:

Developing new relationships; meeting new people within the profession
Practicing and refining leadership and coaching skills
Receiving recognition for experience and accomplishments
Getting a fresh perspective on the profession, and insight into the challenges that face new technicians

Potential benefits for mentees include:

Access to feedback and suggestions from experienced professionals in the field.
Meeting and developing relationships with new colleagues.
Insight into the reality of library technicians' work in a variety of settings and workplaces.

The LTAIG Mentoring Program will connect experienced professionals with newer or less experienced colleagues. Mentors will provide support and give feedback to mentees on concerns relating to career and professional development. While networking is a part of most professional relationships, please be aware that the program does not exist to facilitate job searching.

The program also offers to connect Library Technician students with recent or soon-to-be graduates through

the option of peer mentoring . Peer mentors can provide support to student mentees in relation to

college/university and graduation, but will not act as tutors.

Recruitment
Mentors
We ask that prospective mentors have a minimum of five years experience in the profession. Membership in BCLA and LTAIG is not a pre-requisite for mentors wishing to participate in the program, but preference will be given to members in good standing.

Recent graduates of a Library Technician Diploma program, and library technician students in their 2nd year, are encouraged to apply as peer mentors for matching with students who are completing their diploma. Peer mentors must be BCLA and LTAIG members in good standing in order to be eligible for the program.
Mentor Qualities

Communicates well
Actively participates in the profession
Challenges and encourages the mentee
Has strong interpersonal and leadership skills

Mentees
Mentees must be BCLA and LTAIG members in good standing in order to be eligible for the program. If you

are not currently a member of BCLA and LTAIG, please visit http://www.bcla.bc.ca/page/join%20bcla.aspx to sign up today.
Mentee Qualities

Inquisitive, asks questions
Seeks guidance, accepts feedback graciously
Expresses a willingness to learn
Is responsible, open and honest

Evaluation
We strive to be responsive to our membership and encourage suggestions for improvement. The LTAIG Mentoring Program Committee will evaluate and adjust the program based on participant feedback from survey information collected from mentors and mentees.

Program Details
Sign up to take part in the LTAIG Mentoring Program by filling out the appropriate application form below :
Mentor Application Form , link to:
https://spreadsheets.google.com/viewform?formkey=dEN3QWtGaWRUcXhKTkxOS3FYS2VEWWc6MA
Mentee Application Form , link to:
https://spreadsheets.google.com/viewform?formkey=dFN0dDBEd3dQemVRTEpackplOTdHRWc6MA

We will begin putting matches in place May 1, 2010. In order to optimize your chances for an excellent match, please apply before May 1, 2010 . After submitting your applications, we will verify receipt by email. Our goal is to have all matches in place by May 31, 2010. If for some reason this has not happened, we will email you with a status report.

Mentors and mentees will be matched according to the following considerations:

Type of library
Topics of interest indicated on application
Location or institution (when possible or if requested)

Once a match is made, the Mentoring Committee will email mentors with contact information for their mentee. Mentees will also be notified that they have been matched, and to expect an email from their mentor to soon follow. The mentor will initiate contact with the mentee and establish a means of communication.

Mentors and mentees, once matched, are committing to communicating at least twice per month for a period of three months . These are minimums for participation, but are not necessarily norms. It would be reasonable to communicate once per week, but once per fortnight is enough to keep the mentorship going.
The Mentoring Committee will be in contact after three months, at which time participants will complete an
exit survey and are then eligible to be re-matched. If the mentoring partnership is particularly successful, participants may elect to extend the match beyond three months.

The first intake will run from May 31, 2010 to August 31, 2010.

Guidelines for Participation
Participants will be asked to co-sign a mentoring contract at the time of matching. The mentoring contract will clarify expectations and norms for communicating, and will serve as an easy measurement for the success of the mentoring experience. Things to consider include: How frequently you will communicate, a minimum wait time for email turnaround, whether or not you will meet in person, and whether the mentor can be available for “emergency” contact (ie: last minute job interviews). A draft contract will be supplied.

We ask that both parties conduct themselves in a professional and courteous manner.

Mentoring can mean many things. Mentees are encouraged to discuss the meaning of mentoring with their mentors as part of the introduction process. The more information you share about yourself, the better your mentor/mentee will get to know you and the better the mentoring relationship can grow.

Sharing knowledge is at the very heart of what we do, why we study and how we think about interacting with each other. Bring your enthusiasm and natural curiosity to the table, challenge yourself and grow.