22/23 AAAL Mentorship Program
The Alberta Association of Academic Libraries (AAAL) is pleased to provide a mentorship program for its members. The AAAL Mentorship Committee annually recruits AAAL participants, pairing mentors with mentees for one academic year. We welcome applications from librarians and library technicians working at an AAAL-member institution.
The goals of the program are to support career development, promote networking, and provide leadership to those working in the profession. The program does not exist to facilitate job placements.
Benefits to Mentors:
- Developing relationships and meeting colleagues in the library community
- Practicing and refining leadership and coaching skills
- Getting a fresh perspective and insight into the challenges facing new or transitioning professionals
Benefits to Mentees:
- Access to feedback and suggestions from experienced professionals in the field
- Meeting and developing professional relationships with colleagues
- Support in gaining skills and/or knowledge in new areas of practice
- Insights into the realities of library and information work.
Funding available
- Mentors and mentees can apply for the AAAL Mentorship Program Travel Stipend.
- The stipend can help cover expenses to facilitate in-person meetings for mentorship pairs at the AAAL Fall meeting.
Who should get involved?
Mentors
Are you a library professional with 1+ years experience? Are you a good communicator and an active participant in the profession? Do you have strong interpersonal and leadership skills? Are you interested in challenging and encouraging newer members of the library community, or those taking on new roles and responsibilities? If you answered yes to these questions, you would be an ideal mentor. Library professionals with experience at all career levels can make great mentors.
Mentees
Are you inquisitive and curious about your new career? Would you like to know more about a particular area of the profession? Or, are you interested in transitioning to a leadership role? Are you willing to enter into an open, honest dialogue? Are you willing to learn and accept feedback? If you answered yes to these questions, you would be a good fit as a mentee. Mentees must be working at an AAAL institution at the time of registration.
Applications will be accepted from May 6 until July 30, 2022 by filling out the appropriate form below:
I’ve applied. What happens next?
You will receive a receipt of application upon submission. Please keep this for your records.
The AAAL Mentorship Committee will review your application and match you with a mentor/ mentee. You and your partner will then be sent an email of introduction including the AAAL Mentoring Partnership Agreement for you to complete together and resources to support the mentoring relationship. The mentorship agreement is a tool to assist you in clarifying expectations as well as norms for communicating, and will likewise serve as a way to measure the success of the mentoring experience.
Expectations
The program is intentionally flexible. Participants are encouraged to create and structure a professional relationship according to their particular needs and interests.
Applicants to the program are expected to:
- Commit to the full term of the AAAL Mentorship Program (September – April).
- Read the content of this web page and be familiar with the mechanics, intent, and spirit of the program.
- Keep in touch with their partner monthly or as agreed upon by both parties.
- Provide mid-term and final feedback to the AAAL Mentorship Committee (online).
If you have any questions or comments about the AAAL Mentorship Program, please contact us at aaal.mentorship@gmail.com.
Thanks for your interest in the AAAL Mentorship Program.
AAAL 