ABSTRACT
Librarians moving to a new library will find themselves needing support. Mentors can provide emotional support as well as an outside perspective for librarians in transition. There are many ways to find those mentors, and many different types of mentors, from existing friendships to new relationships with industry leaders. Librarians will find there are many opportunities to connect with other librarians, from conferences and listservs to nearby colleagues. Once the connection has been made, the librarian should consider appropriate means of communication and questions to ask. Even in the midst of a big career change, librarians should still consider mentoring others, as sharing expertise is a vital component of the library profession. Meaningful connections can be made, even without ever meeting in person. The chapter includes discussion of different types of mentorships, such as formal versus informal, professional and career, institutional, conference, life coach or fan, community, peer mentors and support groups, and self-mentorship. The chapter offers tips for finding a mentor and becoming a mentor as well as a list of the qualities that matter in mentors. It concludes with a support system summary and questions for reflection.
