Dedicated to fostering the professional growth and development of College Libraries Section (CLS) members in baccalaureate degree-granting institutions within the Association of College and Research Libraries (ACRL). This committee is responsible for providing mentorship programs and professional growth opportunities to facilitate mentorship relationships and help members enhance their knowledge and skills in the field of college librarianship.
Purpose of Program:
The ACRL College Libraries Section’s nine-month mentoring program encourages the development of all library staff at teaching-focused, baccalaureate-granting institutions that primarily serve undergraduate students. Membership in ACRL or CLS is not required to participate. Mentees will be connected, to the greatest extent possible, with mentors with similar responsibilities at similar institutions.
Matching Mentors and Mentees:
After the application process has closed, CLS Mentoring Program committee members will pair mentors with mentees based on intended areas of professional growth. The committee will do their best to match the professional interests of mentors and mentees, but matching depends on the applicant pool and availability.
Setting Goals and Objectives:
Once mentor/mentees have been paired, the CLS Mentoring Program Committee will alert all program participants of their match and share mentor/mentee contact information. After the pairing, there will be a Mentoring Program Kick-Off Meeting to review the expectations. It is recommended that mentors get in touch with their mentees early in the program to set goals using the CLS Mentoring Agreement provided in the ACRL CLS Mentoring Program Support Documents.
The CLS Mentoring Program focuses on building trust, starting with ensuring that all conversations remain confidential. Mentors and mentees should communicate in whatever way works best for them, such as through email, online meetings, phone calls, in-person meetings, or other virtual activities. At the end of the program year, participants will be asked to provide feedback on their experiences through a survey. Mentors and Mentees may want to keep a copy of their Mentoring Agreement to help complete the survey.
Thank you to the ACRL Community & Junior College Library Section (CJCLS) Mentoring Program for sharing many of the resources in this guide.
