Academic Library Mentoring: Fostering Growth and Renewal, Volume 1: Fundamentals and Controversies

Academic library mentoring is a commitment to the future of library employees, systems, the profession, and higher education's values of exploration, discovery, critical examination, and knowledge generation. Volume 1, Fundamentals and Controversies, explores effective mentoring skills and behaviors, models, dysfunctional mentoring relationships, conflicts of interest, and power differentials. Chapters on diversity, equity, and inclusion call for library personnel to understand the exclusion some experience and implement more inclusive mentoring practices.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 208 pages
Publication date: 28 February 2022
Publisher: Association of College & Research Libraries

Academic library mentoring is a profound belief in the potential of library employees, systems, the profession, and the principles that libraries uphold. It signifies a steadfast commitment to the broader institution and to the core values of higher education, which encompass exploration, discovery, critical examination, and the generation of knowledge.

This comprehensive guide, Academic Library Mentoring: Fostering Growth and Renewal, delves into a diverse range of mentoring perspectives and practices within college and university libraries. Spanning three volumes, it explores the intricacies of library mentoring programs and the firsthand experiences of library faculty, librarians, library staff members, graduate library and information science students, and library student employees.

In Volume 1, Fundamentals and Controversies, readers are introduced to essential mentoring skills and behaviors, various mentoring models, the challenges of dysfunctional mentoring relationships, conflicts of interest in mentoring, and, through a feminist lens, the power dynamics at play in mentoring. Chapters on diversity, equity, and inclusion emphasize the importance of library personnel recognizing and addressing the exclusion experienced by some individuals in the profession, ultimately fostering more inclusive mentoring practices.

Volume 2, Programmes and Practices, showcases a wide array of successful library mentoring programs across different institutions. It explores the development, implementation, and evaluation of these programs, highlighting the key elements that contribute to their effectiveness. The chapters provide practical insights and strategies for creating, sustaining, and enhancing mentoring initiatives, fostering a supportive and inclusive learning environment for library professionals.

Volume 3, Case Studies and Reflections, offers a rich collection of real-world case studies and personal reflections from mentors and mentees involved in academic library mentoring. These narratives shed light on the transformative power of mentoring, the impact it has on individual growth, professional development, and the overall success of library organizations.

By exploring the multifaceted aspects of academic library mentoring, this comprehensive guide equips library personnel with the knowledge, skills, and tools necessary to establish, nurture, and sustain effective mentoring programs. It serves as a valuable resource for library leaders, administrators, educators, and practitioners seeking to foster a culture of continuous learning, growth, and renewal within their libraries.

Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780838937693