ALIA Queensland Branch

Guidelines for Mentors

Aim

Definition

Mentoring is defined (by Margo Murray1991) as a 'deliberate pairing of a more skilled or experienced person with a lesser-skilled or experienced one, with the agreed upon goal of having the lesser-skilled person grow and develop specific competencies'.

For mentors, the benefits of participating in the Mentoring Program include:

• reaffirmation of their professional knowledge, experience and skills
• opportunity to share their knowledge, experience and skills with colleagues
• opportunity to contribute to the profession
• opportunity to gain an understanding of the viewpoints and interests of newer professionals

It is anticipated that mentors participating in the Mentoring Program would possess the following attributes:

Knowledge

• in-depth knowledge and a number of years'; experience in the area nominated for mentoring
• wide network of professional contacts

Skills

• communication and interpersonal skills
• ability to facilitate learning
• ability to provide feedback
• analytical skills

Attitudes

• willingness to share expertise and time
• commitment to helping the professional development of colleagues less-skilled or experienced in their area of expertise
• commitment to the library profession
• respect for colleagues

Mentors participating in the Program will enter into a formal agreement with a mentee which will specify goals of the pairing, contact arrangements, and expectations of both parties.

The program requires some commitment of time to specified events:

• the Launch
• a review function after approx. 6 months
• meetings with your Mentee, or other contact as negotiated

If you have any queries about these guidelines or the program, please contact a member of the Mentoring Committee.