The Mentor: What Do YOU Need from a Mentor?

Most basic definitions say that a mentor is an experienced and trusted advisor, a guide, a tutor or coach. Some stress that a mentor is an older or more experienced person who gives advice over a period of time. Yet these explanations could also describe a supervisory relationship, instruction, or o...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inPNLA quarterly Vol. 81; no. 2; p. 9
Main Author Bicknell-Holmes, Tracy
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Portland Pacific Northwest Library Association 01.01.2017
Subjects
Librarians
Mentors
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Summary:Most basic definitions say that a mentor is an experienced and trusted advisor, a guide, a tutor or coach. Some stress that a mentor is an older or more experienced person who gives advice over a period of time. Yet these explanations could also describe a supervisory relationship, instruction, or on-the-job-training. Thinking about why you feel you need a mentor is an excellent place to start when hunting for one. In looking back on the authors' career, she was never quite certain if she had a mentor. For various reasons, no one person seemed to fit her image of a mentor, until she reads Expect to Win, by Carla A. Harris (2009). Harris defines three roles that are distinctly different and librarians each need them all to succeed in their careers. The roles are: 1. as advisor, 2. as sponsor, and 3. as mentor.
ISSN:0030-8188