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Session 3 Materials
Soaring to Excellence 2003
Time, Technology and Techniques

Friday, March 21, 2003 (12:00-2:00 Eastern Time)
LIBRARY SUPPORT STAFF SOAR TO GREAT HEIGHTS:
How library workers give back

Session 3 Materials

Mentoring Information Sheet

1. Do I need a mentor?

Is there any part of my job that I feel I could use some help to learn better?

2. How can a mentor help me?

In what ways can I see a mentor’s help being most beneficial? List at least 3 ways that a mentor could help you.

Sharing
Modeling
Guiding
Advising
Supporting
Networking

3. What are the characteristics of my ideal mentor?

List at least 3 characteristics of an ideal mentor. Use characteristics from the fact sheet, or write your own.

Now order your list—put the most important characteristic first.

Now list the people that you work with that have these characteristics.

4. What are my goals in working with a mentor?

List 3 things that you want to learn from a mentor. Keep them specific, and estimate how long each goal will take to achieve.

Goal:	Timeframe:
1.
2.
3.

5. What can I do to be an effective “mentee”?

Before asking a colleague to be your mentor, make sure that you are truly ready for one. Use this checklist to determine if you are ready to become an effective protégé.

	I know the kind of mentoring I want
	I have specific learning goals
	I have a timeline for meeting these goals
	I accept responsibility for my learning
	I can communicate effectively
	I’m a good listener
	I’m good at following directions
	I can accept feedback and act on it
	I carry out my commitments responsibly
	I want to work beyond the limits of my job description
	I am not afraid to disagree with a mentor, but capable of doing so in a diplomatic way
	I’m willing ask for help when I need it
	I am able to help my mentor in some way
	I show my appreciation to those that help me
	I feel that I would make a good mentee

6. What can I do for my mentor?

List at least two ways that you could help a mentor:

You have your goals, your timeframes, a clearer idea of what it means to be a mentee, and some ideas on how you could help a mentor. You can now take the big step of asking one of the people you listed above to be your mentor, using the Mentor Request Form Template to help you draft a letter. Let us know how this goes for you—we welcome your comments. Contact Linda Slusar at Slusar@cdnet.cod.edu