Activities

Working with Your Mentor/Mentee | Sample Activities | Resources and Readings | Application

The most important part of the UBC Library Mentorship program is to ensure that matches are familiar with the Vision and Values of UBC Library. There are also some suggested activities below:

Suggestions

Create and Collaborate

  • Create a shared document/spreadsheet of inclusive program ideas. Encourage others to enter their own ideas/suggestions.
  • Create a book list of diverse titles that you both enjoy. Discuss why you enjoy these titles, and what values do they promote?
  • Create a wish list for your library. What sort of technology would you like to have? What resources would you buy?
  • Conduct a survey with your match! Come up with a topic, and questions, and then create a form.

Practice Interviews

  • Do a resume/CV review. Share/critique job experiences and skills.
  • In advance of your meeting, each come up with 3-5 questions for the other to answer.

Topics for Discussion

  • Discuss the qualities that make an effective manager/director. Evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of managers you’ve both encountered in your previous jobs.
  • What steps are you taking to address Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) at your library or in your graduate program at the iSchool?
  • Read an article about mentoring (i.e. resources). Discuss how it applies to your match.
  • Discuss your experiences during the pandemic shutdown of libraries.  How have you adjusted to instruction, research, and learning environments since then?
  • Have either of you been involved in academic libraries? Have you downloaded any of the Canadian Academic Research Libraries (CARL) resources or attended a CARL event in the past?

Reading and Writing

  • Read and discuss an a chapter from Academic Library Mentoring: Fostering Growth and Renewal. What did you like? What didn’t you like?
  • Co-author to write an article for BCLA’s Perspectives Journal.
  • Write a guest post for UBC Library about your experiences in your mentorship program.

Participate in Association Activities and Events