You want to advance your career in Library Services. How do you find a mentor who shares your passion?

3 Reach out and ask

Once you have identified some possible mentors, you need to reach out and ask them if they are interested and available to mentor you. You can send them a brief and polite email, introducing yourself, explaining why you chose them, and outlining your expectations and goals. You can also invite them for a coffee, a phone call, or a video chat to get to know them better and see if there is a good fit. Remember to be respectful, flexible, and grateful for their time and attention.

4 Establish the relationship

After you have found a mentor who agrees to work with you, you need to establish the relationship and set some ground rules. You and your mentor should discuss and agree on the following aspects: the duration and frequency of the mentoring, the mode and methods of communication, the scope and focus of the mentoring, the roles and responsibilities of each party, and the feedback and evaluation process. You should also sign a mentoring agreement to formalize the relationship and avoid misunderstandings.

5 Make the most of it

To make the most of your mentoring relationship, you need to be committed, engaged, and proactive. You should prepare for each meeting with your mentor, set realistic and specific goals, ask relevant and thoughtful questions, listen actively and respectfully, implement the advice and suggestions, and track your progress and achievements. You should also communicate regularly with your mentor, update them on your situation, seek feedback, and express appreciation. Moreover, you should be open to learning, growing, and changing.

6 Maintain the connection

Even after your formal mentoring relationship ends, you should maintain the connection with your mentor and keep them informed of your career development. You can send them occasional emails, cards, or gifts to thank them, congratulate them, or update them on your news. You can also invite them to events, activities, or projects that might interest them or benefit from their expertise. You can also offer to help them in any way you can or become a mentor yourself to someone else.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?