At ViMLoC we believe that mentorship for visible minority librarians is an important aspect to recruit, retain, and revitalize the library workforce. To ensure that librarians are supported to overcome the additional challenges that come with cultural diversity in the profession, we run our own mentorship program.
The Visible Minority Librarians of Canada (ViMLoC) Mentorship Program is now accepting applications for the 2024 session! This mentoring session will run from May 1st to June 30th, 2024. To apply as a mentor or mentee, please fill out the mentor application form or mentee application form.
*** Applications will close on April 26, 2024. ***
Please see our Program Guide for tips and discussion topics to initiate and build a mentoring relationship.
About this program
The Visible Minority Librarians of Canada (ViMLoC) recognizes the need to help visible minority librarians, especially early career and new immigrant librarians, develop their professional careers, as well as the need to encourage and guide visible minority library students with career planning. Lack of mentorship is often cited as a challenge among visible minority librarians, and through our mentorship program, we found that small acts of mentorship were able to make an impact on our mentees. Applying for this program will help create a larger network of visible minority librarians and increase our representation in the library profession. The 2024 ViMLoC mentoring program will recruit experienced visible minority librarians as potential mentors, as well as facilitate the matching of potential mentors to mentees. ViMLoC membership is NOT required to participate in this program. If you’d like to join ViMLoC, please see our Participate page to find out more on how to connect to our network.
Should I apply?
This program is open to visible minority librarians at all stages of their career, and visible minority library students. In Canada, the visible minority population consists mainly of the following groups: Chinese, South Asian, Black, Arab, West Asian, Filipino, Southeast Asian, Latin American, Japanese and Korean. Participants with the intersectionality of these backgrounds are welcome to apply. We need mentors with all kinds of experience and skills. In recognition of your contribution to the mentorship program, we would be happy to provide mentors with a reference letter.
Expectations
Applicants to the program are expected:
- To commit to the full term of the session;
- To keep in touch with their mentorship partner a minimum of twice per month (by email, phone, Zoom, or other means of communication upon mutual agreement);
- To complete an exit survey (online) at the close of the session.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us at vimloc@gmail.com.
ViMLoC Mentorship Committee: Valentina Ly and Jess Yao
ViMLoC: Visible Minority Librarians of Canada 