Peer Mentoring in Academic Librarianship: Service and Connections can Lead to Improved Scholarly Output

Abstract

In the dynamic field of librarianship, mentorship plays a pivotal role in fostering professional development, knowledge sharing, and community building. This article explores the multifaceted benefits of peer mentorship and how it can serve academic librarians who may feel underprepared for the academy and its scholarship requirements (and opportunities), whether they are on a tenure-track or not. Typically, a traditional mentor-mentee relationship has a power imbalance but what this article describes is a peer mentoring relationship between a newer academic librarian and a mid-career, tenured librarian that provides support and engagement for both parties and is ultimately successful in helping them reach major career milestones. This type of mentorship has both partners actively contributing and receiving support. The case study shares strategies for identifying a suitable peer mentor, logistical considerations, best practices, and demonstrates the numerous benefits of peer mentorship.