Mentoring Task Force

The Libraries' Mentoring Task Force

Minutes of 5/20/02 Meeting

Performing Arts Library Seminar Room

Present: Roz Becker, Bonnie Chojnacki, Patti Cossard, Johnnie Love (Chair), Ann Masnik, Vin Novara, Linda Sarigol (recording), Bruce Wilson

(The order of the meeting varied from the proposed agenda, as the minutes will reflect.)

Topic: View mentoring video

We began the meeting by watching the video "Becoming a Mentor, pt.1." Scripts to follow along were handed out. Discussion followed the previewing of the video. The overall reaction of the group was not favorable.

Outcome: It was felt that perhaps the video could be useful in starting a discussion on what was good or bad about the mentor/protege interaction as presented in the video.
Topic: Review of Minutes

Bruce Wilson informally reviewed his minute notes from the last meeting of the group.

Topic: Review of Purpose

"Review of Purpose" for the Mentoring Task Force, 27 March 02 draft, was discussed. It was clarified that the Task Force is sponsored by the LFA and that the Task Force will work with PASD as it fulfills its purpose. The only change suggested was for bullet (2) under "The Assignment of the Mentoring Task Force."

Outcome: The change should read "To identify situations in the library where mentoring could be used as an effective tool for orientation and professional development at all levels, including Faculty, Exempt/Non-exempt Staff, Contractual Staff, Graduate Assistants and Student Assistants."
Topic: Update of Mentoring Activities

Johnnie Love shared the following information with the Task Force:

May 21, 2002 the Learning Curriculum will present a workshop on "Mentoring is for Me" for those Library Staff thinking about becoming mentors. The Mentoring Task Force members are encouraged to attend. [Since the 5/20 meeting the workshop has taken place and most Task Force members did attend.] A workshop for proteges is planned--date TBA.
Support Group Activities (there are 3 groups):

1. "Advanced Studies Group," a pilot group of Library Staff who are interested in furthering their studies, coordinated by Johnnie Love. Currently 14 Staff are involved.

May: the University College Director of Admissions will present to the group.
June: the Campus Counseling Center will address the group from "the returning student" perspective.

2. "Permanent Status Review Group," a support group for Faculty in line for permanent status review (PSR), coordinated by Janet Siar.

July: This group will be set up and become active.

3. "Ad-Hoc Committee on Mentoring for New and Junior Faculty"

Committee members are Beth Roberts, Heidi Hanson, Allan Rough, Trudi Hahn & Johnnie Love.

Handouts were shared that evolved from some of the work already being done by this group, including Issues and Concerns with suggested support strategies, a draft of Timeline for PSR, and a draft of Productivity Timeline for PSR.
The committee needs to have final drafts/plans ready for submission by October 2002.

Outcome: Sharing of information
Topic: Creating a Website for Mentoring

There was discussion of how to approach the site (person vs. impersonal) and possible things to include in such a website, e.g. links to mentors (see webpages for Trudi Hahn & Marlene Vikor), workshops, benefits, how to make contacts.

Outcomes:

Vin Novara has volunteered to create/build the site.

Task Force members should do some searching on web to see if other sites have already been created to get an idea what we could/should do; be prepared to discuss possibilities for our own site at next meeting.
Topic: Next meetings

We decided to keep the meeting time to 1 1/2 hour instead of 2 hours.

Outcome: The next 3 meeting dates were chosen, location TBA:

June 10 1-2:30

July 8 1-2:30

Aug 12 1-2:30
Topic: June 10 Agenda Items that evolved from the 5/20 meeting (Outcomes TBA)

Review & discuss article re U of Delaware mentoring program
Review & discuss APPSC document
Discuss Vocabulary for mentoring (tabled from 5/20/02 meeting)
Develop Basic Concepts of Mentoring (tabled from 5/20/02 meeting)
Address mentoring needs for Exempt/Non-exempt Staff (tabled from 5/20/02 meeting)

[Discuss mentoring website] not listed but implicit from meeting notes

Pre-work: Review APPSC implementation document, Performance Review document, "Formalizing an Informal Process: Developing a Mentoring Program in a University Library" (U of Del article from first meeting handouts) [and research other university websites on mentoring programs].