Help support a diverse workforce in the next generation of academic librarians by mentoring an ALA Spectrum Scholar through the ACRL Dr. E.J. Josey Spectrum Scholar Mentor Program.
This program links library school students and new librarians who are of American Indian/Alaska Native, Asian, Black/African American, Hispanic/Latino, Middle Eastern and North African, and/or Native Hawaiian/Other Pacific Islander descent, with established academic librarians who provide mentoring.
What mentors do:
- provide an ear for confidential discussion and feedback
- assist mentees’ exploration of career path
- help mentees find opportunities for involvement and leadership within the profession.
Criteria and responsibilities for being a mentor include:
- being a personal member of ACRL,
- committing to be a mentor for a minimum of one year and a maximum of three years,
- participating in an online mentoring tips session,
- assuming a proactive role towards the achievement of your mentee’s goals,
- agreeing to communicate with the mentee on a mutually-agreeable basis (such as monthly),
- considering spending time together at conferences when both the mentor and mentee attend, and
- completing and submitting brief assessment surveys, provided by the mentoring committee, about the mentor/mentee relationship.
How to Apply
If you are interested in becoming a mentor for a Spectrum Scholar through the ACRL Dr. E.J. Josey Spectrum Scholar Mentor program, complete the online application.
What Happens Next?
The ACRL Dr. E.J. Josey Spectrum Scholar Mentor Committee may match new pairs of mentors and Spectrum Scholars throughout the year. If we are unable to match you with a Scholar immediately, your application will be kept on file and you’ll be contacted periodically to confirm your ongoing interest in participating.
While applications are accepted on an ongoing basis, the committee will next be matching a cohort of mentors and mentees this fall, so apply today to be an ACRL Spectrum Scholar Mentor. Applications completed by November 4 will be considered for matches. The profession benefits when you share your experience!
If you have questions about the ACRL Dr. E.J. Josey Spectrum Scholar Mentor Program, please contact Committee Chair Marquel Anteola at manteola@txwes.edu or ACRL staff member David Connolly at dconnolly@ala.org.