Colleagues,

 

The HBCU Library Alliance and CLIR’s Digital Library Federation (DLF) are seeking volunteers to mentor fellows of the Authenticity Project, a fellowship program that provides mentoring, learning, and leadership opportunities for early- to mid-career library staff from Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). We seek participants who are willing to share their expertise and are committed to promoting positive, systemic change in the library field, including by broadening career pathways and professional advancement for HBCU library staff. 

 

Do I have to have experience as a mentor to volunteer? 

While experience in mentoring is helpful, it is not required. Your background as a digital library professional and a willingness to learn from our facilitator team is most important! Selected mentors will receive training on topics like how to facilitate conversations and change management, and will be part of a team of two mentors supporting each fellow. Fellows will choose one mentor from an HBCU and one from a Predominantly White Institution (PWI), so the wider the group of volunteers, the more possibilities they have to match with someone who shares their interests and goals. 

 

What is the time commitment? 

Those who are matched to a fellow will participate in:

• Two, one-hour mentor training sessions in May 2022 (dates and times are to be determined).
• Two, one-hour meetings during the first week of the program.
• One meeting per week for the next three weeks.
• Asynchronous Slack discussions for the duration of the cohort.

 

What do mentors receive?  

During a month-long program, with 15 fellows each (30 total) each fellow will be matched with two mentors. Each mentorship team will include an individual with HBCU and library experience, and another currently working in the fellow’s area of interest from the DLF community. Mentors will provide collegial support, networking assistance, and serve as sounding-boards for fellows. 

 

Mentors receive: 

• Mentorship training, including how to have crucial conversations. 
• An opportunity to build relationships with their mentee and co-mentor. 
• Connection to a supportive community of mentors from a variety of organizations, locations, and backgrounds. 
• $750 stipend in acknowledgment of your time and commitment to the program. 

 

The first cohort will run from June 6 - July 1 and the second will run from July 11 - August 5, 2022. Individuals will be eligible to participate in both cohorts or may select one, if matched with a fellow in each cohort.

 

Learn more about the program and submit the brief volunteer form: https://www.diglib.org/opportunities/authenticity-project/. Information about the application for fellows is also provided there.

 

The form will be open through March 15, 11:59p ET USA. Questions? Feel free to get in touch at [log in to unmask].

 

Jennifer