UBC Library Mentorship Program

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

The UBC Library–iSchool Mentorship Program is the first initiative of its kind in Canada. Developed by UBC Library, the program pairs librarians and archivists from the Vancouver and Okanagan campuses with graduate students in the Master of Library and Information Studies (MLIS) and Master of Archival Studies (MAS) programs at the School of Information. It is designed for students aspiring to careers in academic libraries. The application deadline is September 30, 2025.

Why a Mentorship Program?

Library and Information Studies (LIS) programs cannot encompass every aspect of professional knowledge, as much of it is context-specific and acquired informally through mentorship and on-the-job experience. While mentorship is highly valued within the library profession, opportunities for LAIS students to engage in mentoring are relatively limited. This is mainly because internships and field placements are not universally required, and mentorship has traditionally been understood as a professional relationship that begins only after securing a position. Yet, mentorship plays a vital role in recruiting, retaining, and sustaining the library workforce—especially for students from underrepresented and marginalized backgrounds.

As a mentee, what are my responsibilities?

  • Available to communicate with your mentor regularly
  • Be prepared to reflect on practice and work with your mentor to identify professional goals
  • Recognize and maintain confidentiality
  • Be open to meeting with your mentee(s) on campus or in person
  • 2-3 hours commitment per month

Link for the Mentee Application Form

As a mentor, what are my responsibilities?

  • Available to communicate with your mentee regularly
  • Be prepared to model and reflect on practice and support mentees in identifying professional goals
  • Recognize and maintain confidentiality
  • Be open to meeting with your mentee(s) on campus and in person
  • 2-3 hours commitment per month.

Link for the Mentor Application Form

Benefits to mentors and mentees:

  • Developing new relationships and meeting new colleagues in the library community
  • Practicing and refining leadership and coaching skills for mentors
  • Receiving recognition for experience and accomplishments
  • Getting a fresh perspective and insight into the challenges that face new and existing professionals

Terms of Reference

  • Time commitment of the program: November 1, 2025, to April 30, 2026.
  • Mentors and mentees will develop their mentorship experience through a combination of virtual or in-person meetings.
  • Following the mentorship, mentors and mentees will be invited to share their experiences at a Lunch and Learn session at the UBC Library.

Questions?

How can I prepare for writing my application as a mentee?

You can familiarize yourself with UBC Library by reviewing its website to learn more about new initiatives and projects, the Strategic Framework, or upcoming workshops.

Where can I learn more about the areas of expertise of UBC librarians, epecially functional and subject liaisons?

You’re invited to learn more about the various subject areas of responsibility of librarians by reviewing this list of UBC subject liaisons.

For functional librarians, you may want to explore the following areas: Scholarly Communications, Digital Initiatives, the Irving K. Barber Learning Centre, Rare Books and Special Collections, and the Research Commons.

I’m interested in either functional or subject liaison librarianship.  What’s the difference, though?

Here is your chance to learn more about these two exciting areas of academic libraries!   Subject liaison roles have been a constant feature of academic libraries, typically focusing on delivering a range of services to specific academic departments within the institution, often including involvement in academic liaison, collection management, and information literacy teaching for those departments.  Librarians in functional roles tend to focus on a specific area of expertise rather than a subject (such as open access) and liaise across disciplinary areas related to this function.

This is an overly simplistic definition, as the academic library is changing so rapidly that there is no definitive definition of the two, and there is often an overlap of expertise and duties, especially in a large organization such as UBC Library.

Are there requirements for iSchool students?

Students must be enrolled as a graduate student in the School of Information in the MLIS and/or MAS program.

Are there any resources you would recommend for individuals unfamiliar with mentorship programs?

We have provided a resources page that includes a bibliography of mentorship in LIS.   You may find these helpful in learning more about mentorship programs.   Please find here.

I’m already in another mentorship program.  How does this program differ from others?

There are several excellent mentorship programs available.  Some cover academic libraries, public libraries, or a mix of both, and oftentimes are conducted through a library association.   However, UBC Library’s Mentorship program focuses on academic libraries within a UBC context. You will be introduced to experienced professional practitioners who work at one of the UBC campuses.

Questions?