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Librarians: The next generation. Mentorship at the University of Toronto LibrariesMentoring is to librarianship what chocolate syrup is to ice cream sundaes: a delicious and defining feature. The profession prides itself on initiating its newest members into the fold and a variety of approaches to mentorship for up and coming librarians are underway at the University of Toronto. For example, practicums for library and information science (LIS) students, and a new internship program at the University of Toronto Libraries for top incoming LIS students. These programs are facilitated by the fact that the University of Toronto is home to a top Information school that has been dedicated to training new librarians since 1928. The authors will present their experience working with student librarians at the engineering library, which on several occasions has led to graduate student workers who return for full-time professional positions -a testament to the mutual benefits of the relationship.The authors will also discuss the ongoing mentoring of the newest engineering librarians on their team. These efforts include invitations to meetings with engineering faculty to facilitate networking, involvement in a variety of decision making processes, and careful training for a host of new responsibilities. The team's more experienced librarians impart their expertise and act as coach and counsellor, providing critique and encouragement as necessary. Priorities also include acculturation and socialization to the library environment. More generally, the University of Toronto intrinsically mentors its librarians by requiring professional development activities as a condition for achieving permanent (tenured) status. The mentoring relationship has proven beneficial for the mentors as well. Knowledge transfer and reflecting on career pathways can provide perspective and motivation for experienced librarians. Additionally, the authors will present on areas for improvement and recommendations for future mentoring initiatives. The discussion will include a review of the research related to mentoring new employees, including findings that show a direct correlation between active mentoring practices and employee retention rates.
is an Engineering & Computer Science Librarian at the University of Toronto. She holds a HBSc and a MISt, both from the University of Toronto. She has held positions in academic and public libraries, as well as a corporate setting. Mindy Thuna, University of Toronto Mindy Thuna completed a BSc. in Palaeontology (University of Toronto) in 1993, an MSc. in Vertebrate Morphology (University of Calgary) in 1997, and an MISt from the Faculty of Information Studies (University of Toronto) in 2005. Mindy worked at the UTM campus as a Science Liaison Librarian for 11 years before becoming the Head of the Engineering & Computer Science Library at the St. George campus in 2016. In 2019 Mindy took on the added role of Interim Associate University Librarian for Science and Research Information. In the times in between, she worked in education in a variety of different capacities, both nationally and internationally.
is an Engineering & Computer Science Librarian at the University of Toronto. She holds a HBSc and a MISt, both from the University of Toronto. She has held positions in academic and public libraries, as well as a corporate setting. Mindy Thuna, University of Toronto Mindy Thuna completed a BSc. in Palaeontology (University of Toronto) in 1993, an MSc. in Vertebrate Morphology (University of Calgary) in 1997, and an MISt from the Faculty of Information Studies (University of Toronto) in 2005. Mindy worked at the UTM campus as a Science Liaison Librarian for 11 years before becoming the Head of the Engineering & Computer Science Library at the St. George campus in 2016. In the times in between, she worked in education in a variety of different capacities, both nationally and internationally.
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