Mentoring is an essential component of helping others develop personally and professionally. Reference veteran Lee draws on her professional experience to introduce the reader to the concept of mentoring and provide case studies illustrating the mutual benefit received by both the mentor and mentee. Over the course of nine chapters, Lee demonstrates how veteran professionals can mentor students enrolled in library school or newly hired librarians in the workplace.

Chapters 1 through 4 focus on mentoring the “potential librarian.” Library schools help students build a theoretical foundation, but practicing professionals can play an essential role in helping the potential librarian develop the practical knowledge that comes only from on-the-job experience. Lee provides background information and advice for mentoring library school students via help with course assignments or formal internship programs. Each chapter ends with a case study that illustrates how to implement mentoring activities in the workplace.

The remaining chapters present information on mentoring the “new librarian” in the workplace. Lee touches on the importance of mentoring through an orientation process, because each institution has different policies and procedures to learn. She emphasizes the significance of the mentor at this stage and offers sage advice on the need for both positive reinforcement and constructive criticism during this critical time of development. An introduction to “e-mentoring” through e-mail, Facebook, discussion boards, listservs, and other communication technologies is also provided in this section.

Although this book discusses mentoring through an academic lens, the information presented and examples provided will easily translate to a public, school, or special library setting. Department heads and others who hold a formal mentoring role in their library will find this book useful. However, informal mentoring occurs at all levels; therefore, this book is recommended to all professional librarians interested in developing their mentoring skills.