Sadly, until 2006 I never felt I had access to a mentor. By then I had been a library assistant for 30 years, and had held positions in 5 different sectors of the library world. I worked with some wonderful people who taught me a lot of the basics of librarianship. I was considered a good assistant and soon reached senior status at para-professional level. But I was never encouraged to 'qualify'! In fact sometimes I felt I was 'discouraged'! (especially when I wasn't the best friend of the boss, didn't buy her children lots of presents and didn't stay regularly at her house!)
Prior to the new Framework of Qualifications I would have needed to attend Uni for about 5 years part time, as well as doing a full time job, in order to qualify.
Thankfully the Framework came along. At last I could take responsibility for my own professional development. I wasn't going to cost my employer the price of a degree, and release from work to attend Uni.
I could seek out a 'mentor'
Someone who would finally take an active interest in my career. Who didn't encourage an 'us' and 'them' situation.
And I met a brilliant mentor in Viki Lagus (sadly no longer with us.) Her enthusiasm and encouragement was infectious! When she came to visit me in my workplace I used to wonder if my line manager was thinking: 'why don't I see the need to encourage my staff in professional development?'
After obtaining ACLIP I was determined to progress to Chartership. Again it was another mentor who kept me going...no interest at all from line managers.
The portfolios are with CILIP at the moment and I await my results. If I am successful I will feel a great sense of personal achievement. But without the help of two wonderful mentors I doubt if I would have lasted the distance. They kept me on track, encouraged me when I had a 'wobble' and clearly defined the mentoring process for me. Sometimes all that is needed is a dose of reality! And an admission of one's weaknesses. The mentoring process fosters collegiality.
I now find that social networking is a form of mentoring...the sharing of tips and knowledge in a two-way process.
An interesting development of the mentoring process, with the rapid development of technology, is that often the 'new kids on the block' have as much, or more, to share with older colleagues. The generational gap, educational gap and age gap in librarianship means we should be learning from one another in a 'sharing program.'
(the final paragraph above is my 'take' on the ideas in the article referenced below)
http://library.ttu.edu/about/facility/face/entries/social_sciences/PDF/Syma.pdf
Paula Short
August 2011
2 comments:
Viki was indeed wonderful!
I've blogged about mentoring as part of cpd23 and also name checked Viki as she sprung to mind when talking about helping others through their professional path. She was indeed wonderful!
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