Matchmaking : a study of mentoring in New Zealand libraries and information centres

Clark, Katherine Matchmaking : a study of mentoring in New Zealand libraries and information centres., 2004 . In ALIA New Librarians' Symposium 2, Adelaide (Australia), December 2004. (Unpublished) [Conference paper]

Preview

PDF Website_paper_ALIA_2004.pdf Download (287kB) | Preview

English abstract

The basis for this paper is a research project on mentoring in New Zealand conducted as part of the requirements of the Master of Library and Information Studies (MLIS) programme at Victoria University of Wellington. This is one of the first projects of its type, as this topic is largely under-researched in New Zealand library and information studies. The research was conducted using mixed methods methodology, consisting of largely quantitative questionnaires accompanied by qualitative in-depth interviews with current mentoring participants, be they mentees, mentors, or matchmakers. Participants were drawn from around New Zealand from a cross-section of library and information sector backgrounds. The project aimed to provide indicators on the current mentoring situation in New Zealand and explored some of the benefits and barriers of mentoring, as experienced by mentoring participants. Results include data on the purpose of mentoring programmes, length of mentoring relationships, and characteristics of libraries and information centres currently conducting mentoring programmes. This project also looked at factors relating to the matching process, such as the sex of the mentoring partners, participants’ understanding of mentoring, their learning styles, design of the matching process, and the internal/external nature of the mentoring partners and matchmaker, that is, are they employed by the same or outside organisations. Furthermore, factors relating to organisational involvement in mentoring programmes were examined. This included organisational culture, time and resources devoted to mentoring, organisation-wide or select group mentoring, voluntary and compulsory programmes, the role of the mentee’s line manager, and last but not least, the role of human resource professionals. This conference paper therefore highlights and explores some of the results of this study and discusses salient factors for choosing and partaking in successful formal mentoring programmes instituted by libraries and information centres for their employees.

Item type:	Conference paper
Keywords:	mentoring New Zealand
Subjects:	F. Management. > FE. Personnel management.
Depositing user:	Katherine Clark
Date deposited:	06 Feb 2005
Last modified:	02 Oct 2014 12:00
URI:	http://hdl.handle.net/10760/5897

References

Clutterbuck, David. 2001. Everyone needs a mentor, fostering talent at work. 3rd ed., London: Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development.

Darwin, Ann. 2000. Critical reflections on mentoring in work settings. Adult Education Quarterly 50(3): 197-211.

Hale, Richard. 2001. Mentoring, learning and learning styles. http://www.viprojects.com/Articles/Documents/Mentoring%20Learning%20and%20Learning%20Styles.doc [Accessed 12 August 2003].

Hale, Richard. 2000. To match or mis-match? The dynamics of mentoring as a route to personal and organisational learning. Career Development International 5(4/5): 223-234. Emerald. [Accessed 10 August 2003].

Hale, Richard. No date. Value improvement mentoring – A route to learning. http://www.viprojects.com/Articles/Documents/ValueImprovementMentoring.doc [Accessed 11 August 2003].

Jansen-Thomas, Jo. 2000. Mentoring for management development: A review of current literature and practice. Wellington: Management Development Centre Ara Whakahaere.

Jones, Shelley. 1998. Developmental relationships: A framework for growing managers in the public service. Wellington: Management Development Centre Ara Whakahaere.

Mentoring Canada. 2002. Building blocks of quality mentoring programs. http://www.mentoringcanada.ca/training/mentors/modules/1_2_categories.html [Accessed 10 August 2003].

Mumford, Alan. 1995a. Learning styles and mentoring. Industrial and Commercial Training 27(8):4-7. Emerald. [Accessed 10 August 2003].

Mumford, Alan. 1995b. Putting learning styles to work: An integrated approach. Industrial and Commercial Training 27(8):28-35. Emerald. [Accessed 11 August 2003].

Nankivell, Clare, and Michael Shoolbred. 1996. Mentoring in library and information services: An approach to staff support. West Yorkshire: British Library Research and Innovation Centre.

Sanchez, Inmaculada Arnedillo. 2002. Learning styles: Kolb’s Theory of Experiential Learning. http://www.cs.ted.ie/courses/mscitedu/mite/lectures/term1/101/17/rich.shtml [Accessed 11 August 2003].

Downloads

Actions (login required)

View Item