Mentorship Pilot Program
The Saskatchewan Library Association is introducing the SLA Mentorship Pilot Program beginning in the fall of 2024. The goal of this program is to connect and empower SLA members by fostering positive relationships in Saskatchewan’s library community. This pilot program provides a valuable networking opportunity, encourages knowledge sharing, and aims to promote leadership and commitment to the library and information service profession.
The SLA Mentorship Pilot Program will open for applications on August 19 and close on September 13, 2024, with mentor/mentee or peer-to-peer pairings meeting virtually from October 2024 through May 2025. You must be an individual member of SLA to apply for the program.
This is a virtual program, with people able to meet via video calls, phone, and/or email. If a matched mentor/mentee or peer-to-peer mentor pair chooses to meet outside of virtual platforms, SLA is not liable for any in-person interactions.
The application form will become available here once applications have opened.
Interested in applying for the SLA Mentorship Pilot Program but not currently an individual member?
Program Roles & Responsibilities
Everyone who participates in the program, no matter their role, is expected to:
- Commit to the full term of the pilot program (October 2024 – May 2025)
- Be willing to meet for at least one hour per month with their assigned mentor/mentee/peer
- Be punctual to scheduled meetings and communicate in advance in the event of a cancellation
- Respect the confidentiality of discussions with their mentor/mentee/peer
- Show a willingness to listen and communicate with their mentor/mentee/peer
- Complete an exit survey at the end of the pilot program
The SLA Mentorship Pilot Program offers three different roles individuals can apply for: mentor, mentee, or peer-to-peer mentor.
Mentor
A mentor is an experienced library and information service professional. A mentor should have at least five years of experience working in the field, must be currently working in Saskatchewan, and must hold an SLA individual membership.
Along with the general participant expectations, a mentor is expected to:
- With their mentee, decide on the frequency and method of contact (e.g. video call, phone, email, etc.)
- Provide general career guidance, offer relevant advice, and give feedback to the mentee
- Connect the mentee to other professional groups or individuals as appropriate
A mentor is not expected to:
- Provide formal counselling
- Find their mentee a job or internship
- Provide specific daily job advice
Mentee
A mentee is newer to the library and information service profession or a library student. A mentee should have less than five years of experience working in the field, must be currently working or studying in Saskatchewan, and must hold an SLA individual membership.
Along with the general participant expectations, a mentee is expected to:
- With their mentor, decide on the frequency and method of contact (e.g. video calls, phone, email, etc.)
- Ask questions and actively seek feedback
- Have a desire to grow as a library and information service professional and to learn more about the industry as a whole
peer-to-peer mentor
A peer-to-peer mentor is anyone actively working in library and information services who would like to build a professional relationship with someone working at another library or organization. A peer-to-peer mentor must be currently working in Saskatchewan and must hold an SLA individual membership.
Along with the general participant expectations, a peer-to-peer mentor is expected to:
- Decide on the frequency and method of contact with their peer (e.g. video calls, phone, email, etc.)
- Share knowledge with their peer in a helpful and encouraging way
- Offer relevant advice and feedback to their peer when requested
- Have a desire to grow as a library and information service professional and to learn more about the industry as a whole
A peer-to-peer mentor is not expected to:
- Provide formal counselling
- Find their peer a job
- Provide specific daily job advice
Matching
Once applications for the SLA Mentorship Pilot Program have closed, SLA staff will review the applications and match applicants with a mentor/mentee/peer as requested; however, this will be dependent on the number of applicants interested in each role. You and your mentorship partner will be sent an email of introduction. From there, you get to decide together which communication method works best for you and how frequently you want to meet.
While SLA will do its best to match you with an appropriate mentor/mentee/peer, SLA is not responsible for the outcome of your mentorship experience.
Program Feedback
At the end of the SLA Mentorship Pilot Program in May 2025, SLA will send all participants an exit survey to gather their feedback to determine if the program should be continued in future years and/or if any adjustments need to be made.
Have questions about this pilot program? Please contact us by emailing info@saskla.ca.