mentors and mentees

I signed on for the third time as a peer mentor in my library program. My first experience with a mentee (it reminds me of the word goatee too much, but I believe it is the correct word!) was positive but the student already had a great handle on things and didn't require any advice -- at least she never asked for any.

My second mentee was an animated student, also a mature student like me. She did email me several times during the semester to ask questions about particular assignments and course work. I was able to send on articles or links or once or twice, actual copies of essays I wrote, which made me feel useful. There was no question of plagarism, as the essays were topic specific, but at least could give a reasonable idea of what the end product might look like.

There isn't much sharing of papers in the MLIS program. I did request a few students papers -- Jason posted a few on his blog, and I downloaded them from there. Quinn's done a similar thing on his website. I asked one student for a copy of an annotated bibliography he did on minority recruitment in LIS programs and in the library profession.

I regret that Cantilever never quite got going. But since it did not, I think the best we can do is share information whenever possible. So... here I am -- mentor for a third round. And I'm hoping that sharing info and essays with my mentees will be a tradition they'll carry on as they progress through the program.

Anyone wanna read an annotated bibliography on the ethics and strategies of provision of service to immigrants & minorities in public libraries? Or maybe an essay on presenting poetry to pre-schoolers in a public library storytime?

Love, love, love; Share, share, share...