Making Space for Intentional Connection: Growing the WLA Mentorship Program

The Professional Development Committee of the Washington Library Association now sponsors a mentorship program each year. Mentoring and training initiatives have always existed through WLA, but the current iteration of the mentorship program is largely due to the strong foundation built five years ago by previous members of the committee. The six-month mentoring commitment offers a unique opportunity to make intentional connections within our field by taking on either a mentor or a mentee role. The program builds professional relationships, creates space for goal setting and dialogue, and strengthens the library worker community within Washington state. Mentors lend their perspective, guidance, and experience to a mentoring relationship, while mentees gain insight into attending library school, exploring jobs in the field, or seeking advice on particular career goals. These are just a handful of reasons to engage in mentorship. Any WLA member who is looking to participate in a reciprocal learning experience is welcome.

When signing up for the program, both mentor and mentee candidates fill out a comprehensive form. Our committee uses this data to match participants in relationships that reflect the goals and experiences of both parties. Mentors provide key information on their current role and past work experiences, how they imagine supporting a mentee, and their motivation for mentoring. Mentees share what they hope to learn from the experience, their library goals, and why they are interested in the program. Recent feedback from mentors and mentees led the Professional Development Committee to include questions on whether career alignment or identity is preferred when matching.

Once matched, mentors and mentees are provided with initial resources as they start to define their version of mentorship. These include sample discussion topics and questions as well as a partnership agreement. Mentoring pairs discuss their communication styles, goals for the partnership, and preferred mode of communication. There is an expectation to meet either online or in person once a month for six months, but many pairs opt to meet more frequently or extend their relationship, either formally or informally, beyond the initial timeline. This year, we piloted an online peer coaching workshop with Dr. Helen Chung of Seattle Pacific University. Over half of mentoring program participants attended this optional training session and both mentors and mentees provided overwhelmingly positive feedback on how peer coaching strategies, including the GROW model, were applicable to their mentorship relationship as well as other professional scenarios.

Feedback is critical for the development of the program and we seek input from both mentors and mentees at the end of each mentoring cycle. This has led to changes in our process, including offering increased resources at the onset and introducing synchronous professional development sessions. Our goal is to better suit the evolving needs and goals of our participants to make this an effective and sustainable program. From the 2023-2024 program evaluation data, at least 75% of mentoring pairs plan on keeping in touch after the official program ends and 85% of mentors indicated an interest in being a mentor again. Participants have shared how aspects of mentorship, including shared learning, advocacy and self-growth, expanding knowledge of the library field in Washington, and intentional matching based on job interest or identity have impacted their practice in measurable and lasting ways. Below are quotes from both mentors and mentees that offer personal reflections on potential outcomes of mentorship:

Mentors:

“My mentee was so great and working on so many cool things, I think that I had just as much to learn from them as they might have from me.” 

“I learned so much! We have actually been communicating more frequently than required and have exchanged resources we have developed. Right now, we are collaborating on an AI project.” 

“This was a great match -- I felt like I was able to learn about their experience, share a bit about mine, and connect them with others so that they could learn about different types of work in libraries.”

“It's been a long time since I was a new librarian; I really enjoyed working with someone just beginning their career, and it gave me some new insight into what new librarians are facing as they begin their careers.”

“I think this was a great match -- we have similar interests and are interested in the same general career path. I'm just a few years down that career path at the moment. I think it was mutually fulfilling and though perhaps cliche, I learned a lot as well.”

“I greatly enjoyed getting to know my mentee. I feel like I was able to provide guidance, resources, and advice around classes, jobs, and workplace culture.”

“I had been feeling burned out with my own career in the library field for quite some time. I found working with my mentee that their passion for libraries and starting out in their career was a major motivation for me to continue with my work and gave me new energy to pursue new opportunities and projects.”

Mentees: 

“The most valuable thing I'm taking away from this is her guidance on how to advocate for myself, a solid sense of what the field of academic librarianship looks like in Washington, and the confirmed belief that this is the right field for me.”

“This was really great. Almost perfect timing for me. I would encourage anyone to do it. I felt like you engineered a great match for me, and we are planning to continue meeting once a quarter.” 

“I have learned SO MUCH from my mentorship. It was especially helpful to hear what library work is like ‘on the ground,’ especially while I'm learning the more theoretical foundations in my MLIS program.”

“I really appreciate this opportunity and thank you for providing a space and the skills to connect me with someone who was truly helpful, empathetic, and just a great listener and sounding board.”

“It was wonderful to get to know my mentor and hear about her work. I had never had a formal mentor before, so I was able to learn what that relationship looks like with someone who made me feel comfortable and able to ask questions.”

“It was so helpful talking with someone who is doing specifically what I want to do once I graduate. It was just nice to hear about what her days are like and what kinds of challenges and successes she has.”

Are you interested in joining this dynamic and intentional program? The Professional Development Committee will start accepting mentor and mentee applications on September 1, 2024, for the 2024-2025 mentoring cycle. Mentors and mentees can be expected to be paired by mid October to begin their six months of mentoring. Please visit our website or look out for more information in WLA Wednesday!

Jessica Widmer (she/her), Pierce County Library System

Jessica holds her dream job as the supervising librarian of a tiny community branch in the middle of the woods. She spends her free time exploring the South Sound's natural beauty and enjoying the food, drink, and unique vibes of the various towns around Gig Harbor and Kitsap Peninsula with her husband and three kids. She is currently a member of the WLA Professional Development Committee.

Kat Wyly (she/her), University of Washington Libraries

Kat is a librarian at University of Washington Libraries. She loves collaborating with students, integrating current events and community activism into library programming, and supporting both informal and formal mentoring moments. You can be sure to find her swimming in PNW waters or frequenting fun, local events and businesses. She is currently a co-chair of the WLA Professional Development Committee.