YALSA Launches Mentoring Program

The goal of the free online program is to help isolated newcomers and keep them in the profession

By Debra Lau Whalen -- School Library Journal, 10/1/2004

If you're a new teen services librarian in need of support, look no further. The Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA) has just launched a free online mentoring program for new members with less than three years of on-the-job experience.

"There are so many young adult librarians out there on their own who feel isolated," says Sarajo Wentling, a teen services librarian for the Hennepin County Library and chair of YALSA's Division and Membership Promotion Committee. "So we felt it would be nice to have a place where they could ask questions."

Wentling points out that public and school librarians dealing with young adults have more challenging jobs because teens have a unique set of problems and are less likely to reach out. Mentors like Wentling will offer new members career advice, guidance, and networking opportunities, as well as day-to-day tips on booktalking, outreach, and working with at-risk youth. All communication will be conducted through e-mail, and mentors and new members will meet in person at the American Library Association Midwinter meeting in Boston this January.

It's no coincidence that the new program is being launched during one of the most serious nationwide shortages of librarians, says Julie Walker, YALSA's interim executive director. "We're always interested in bringing younger, new voices into the association," she says. "If you enable people to be successful, then there is a greater likelihood that they will stay in the profession." Currently, YALSA has 4,200 members.

To sign up for the mentoring program, visit www.ala.org/yalsa. Young adult librarians with more than three years experience are encouraged to volunteer as mentors. The deadline for applying is October 31.