Mentee-ing 101

Posted April 13, 2020 by Adaliz Cruz

Today I’m going to hype up my mentors. I can honestly say that without them, I wouldn’t have even considered librarianship, let alone finish my degree (in a few weeks).

I have many mentors from different parts and times of my life; some are “official” mentors, some are people I look up to, and some are even self-appointed. I even started a newsletter because there were too many to keep up with! At one of my conferences, I found myself surrounded by a crowd of people introducing themselves to each other as “I’m her mentor”, “I’m also her mentor”, “Wait, I’m a mentor too”. I’m not going to lie, it was stressful!

I can’t emphasize enough what the value of having a mentor is. This is a person that you look up to and who has your back and your best interest. They help guide you in your professional career and provide moral support when things don’t go the way you planned. They talk you up to their peers and give you a reassuring push when you are having an impostor syndrome episode. Sometimes, they believe in you more than you believe in yourself.

Having mentors has been so invaluable to me and I’ve always said that I know I’ve “made it” when I’m able to mentor someone in the same capacity that my mentors have been there for me.

So now that you’re sold, here are some resources to find yourself a mentor:

• Professional programs
  • ALA Mentoring Resources Including:
    • American Association of School Librarians (AASL)
    • Asian Pacific Libraries Association (APALA)
    • Association of College and Research Libraries (ACRL)
    • Association for Library Collections & Technical Services (ALCTS)
    • Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual & Transgender Round Table (GLBTRT)
    • International Relations Round Table (IRRT)
    • Public Library Association (PLA)
    • REFORMA: The National Association to Promote Library and Information Services to Latinos and the Spanish-Speaking
    • Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA)
  • Association of Research Libraries DEI Programs
  • Music Library Association
  • Society of American Archivists
  • Special Libraries Association
• Conferences
  • If you are apprehensive about attending a conference, you can apply for a conference mentor/guide.

Another way to find mentors is to reach out to your network and establish meaningful connections. I promise you, it’s so worth it!