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Mentoring flavors
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Mentoring flavors
12:24 PM EDT 6/25/09
How do you define mentoring? I've collected a number of mentoring Definitions in our new WJ Mentoring area. Let us know how you're using mentoring to tap into your library's human and super human resources!
Re: Mentoring flavors
2:29 PM EST 11/21/05 as a reply to Jennifer Peterson.
A co-student and I have developed a kind of mentoring program at the University of Washington iSchool for the distance MLIS students. I would say it's a facilitated e-mentoring program. We developed the program after a residency meeting one quarter when some students expressed the desire to know which students lived in their geographic area. While the online community has strong bonds, it's nice to be able to meet face to face occasionally. This was deemed particularly important when you first enter the program.

So, we set up iPeer (http://students.washington.edu/aliss/ipeer/). Using information generated from the online form, we matched new students with current students. We gave them the option of being matched for location, career interest, or life situation (kids, etc). We also sent them reminders and ideas about meeting up in person during the required quarterly residency. This was our first year and so far the response has been positive. Will will be sending out a survey at the end of this quarter to find out how well it worked for folks and what we can do to improve.
Re: Mentoring flavors
12:26 PM EDT 6/25/09 as a reply to Sarah Evans.
Sarah,

I'm so glad to hear about iPeer! It reminds us of how important it is to recognize that our own peers have so much to offer in terms of mentoring. As a student I often found those in the program more capable of providing support with challenges than faculty or those out in the field. I think we quickly forget the intensity or urgency of the experience when time has blurred our memories.

You bring up an interesting issue about matching participants. One of the "myths" of mentoring is that people need to have a lot in common. I would encourage you to consider the benefits of "mis-matching" participants; as Cheryl Dahle] says, the best matches are often mismatches because they generate high potential for learning. I do think it's great that you've found a way to match folks geographically. I'm sure it helps to be able to increase the FTF (face to face)!!

I've included some of the other "myths" in a mentoring workbook posted in the WJ mentoring area.

I look forward to hearing how the first quarter of iPeer worked for people and your suggestions as facilitator of an e-mentoring program. Like everything else, I'm sure mentoring will increasingly become an online phenomenon (in a good way :-)).
Re: Mentoring flavors
1:34 PM EST 3/7/06 as a reply to Jennifer Peterson.
I am currently working on a mentoring project for the Nebraska Library Commission. I am designing training for both mentors and mentees. Has anyone created training for mentors and/or mentees? Do you have any advice for me?

The WebJunction mentoring resources will be helpful to me and to our mentors and mentees.

Thank you.
Re: Mentoring flavors
12:29 PM EDT 6/25/09 as a reply to Cindi Hickey.
Great news chickey! I'm glad to hear that you're designing training for mentoring. I look forward to hearing how the process goes especially as you move from the design phase into the trainings. Be sure to share your expert experience here, both the successes and the challenges!

There are 2 places within the WebJunction resources that I think you'll find most helpful. In section III of the
Mentoring Resources on the Internet you'll find some great examples of Mentoring Programs...many include training suggestions.
The mentoring workbook may also help as you pull together a curriculum/workbook to give your participants.

Like you, I'd love to hear from folks in libraryland who have designed mentoring training! And chickey, I look forward to an update on your great work!