Thing 11: Mentoring

Theodor Horydczak Collection (Library of Congress)

I've been incredibly fortunate in finding mentors thus far, so I'm glad the CPD-ers have mentioned the uncertainty and trepidation that can accompany such a venture.

I can actually describe two different processes of mentorship that I've experienced:
1) Put yourself out there
2) Get lucky and reciprocate like crazy

1) The first process happened with one of my professors in library school, who later became my academic advisor. But she nearly wasn't, because I almost lost my nerve standing outside her office that spring semester, my hand hovering in mid-air...

I was already 99.7% sure that she wouldn't be interested in taking on an advisee -- she was a dynamic force in the department, and all of her students either loved her or respected her thoroughly. And here I was, with just a semester and her whirlwind intro class under my belt, imagining that she'd want to talk to me.

We had already had contact during the class, since she made herself extremely available and I was extremely determined to make sure I understood the concepts. So I knew we had a pretty good rapport, and shared some interests.

But boy, knocking on that door was scary.

It turned out for the best -- my professor graciously became my advisor and offered guidance and support through several fraught application processes, including an overseas course and a fellowship.

Whew!

2) The second path consisted of finding a job with a supervisor who believes her professional responsibilities include fostering her employees' professional development. I have yet to meet someone so willing to give back to the profession by sharing with librarians new and experienced alike -- my class came to meet her on a 'field trip' and she soon had a group of eager students planning to meet up with her at an upcoming conference.

So I couldn't take much credit at all for this relationship, except in my reaction (i.e. reciprocation). Every opportunity she presented, in the forms of projects, classroom observations, meetings with vendors -- I jumped into with all my energy and effort. And I constantly expressed my gratitude and commitment in my work, looking for better ways to coordinate at the desk, noting cycles of student use, and generally using my position on the 'front lines' to gather information and suggest improvements in our library operations.

In summary, I can't claim credit for either of these mentorships -- because they are reciprocal exchanges, after all. But I can say that if you find the right person and (*gasp*) take the leap, you'll get many rewards in putting in the time and effort to develop relationships with your fellow librarians.

Thing 10: Trained? Experienced? Qualified? (All Three?)

I was extremely interested to read the post on CPD23 about the UK's routes into librarianship, particularly in terms of the 'traineeship' component. I like the emphasis on practical experience, which I think is lacking in many US programs -- it doesn't seem to be 'built in' in the same way.

At my school, the archives concentration had a required internship, but the general librarianship track was left to fend for itself when it came to on-the-job experience. Before we'd even graduated, my classmates and I were facing the vicious Library Experience Cycle (don't have any = can't get any = don't have any).

While I was lucky enough to find a paid position, many of my friends went for internships that were already saturated with -- you guessed it -- library school students.

I think there is a growing awareness that this is not a viable educational model, as it fails to produce graduates who are actually versed in the 'real' operations of librarianship (it seems that not many employers are interested in theoretical expertise; how odd!). I do remember that a few faculty members were championing the establishment of a required internship for all library 'tracks,' but I haven't heard about progress on that front.

Of course, now that I have my MLIS, I'm facing yet another Experience hurdle. I have diverse library experience, and I'm fresh out of a dynamic program...but I'm also competing with professionals equipped with 20 years' experience or more. I'm staying flexible when it comes to location -- I would move anywhere right now, and I can afford to -- which is an important point as the 'local' market is already packed with recent MLIS grads.

I've heard and read more than enough about how library schools in the US are 'failing' new graduates, and it was a rude shock to enter this job market -- but, I admit, I have also been fairly naive about the whole process.

What I'm working on now -- and really struggling with -- is how to make connections professionally. I have been blessed with an amazing mentor (next post!), and I've gotten involved in some very interesting projects, but...it sometimes feels like there's a covert group of librarians hiding just around the corner, whisking out of sight when I pass by.

One resolution I will take from this experience: When I get a full professional position, I will make myself a resource to any 'newbie' librarian out there looking for help. Because it can be dark and lonely here sometimes, and I want to help make my profession a brighter place for everyone -- especially the newcomers.