A Call for Research Mentors

By Aidy Silva-Ortiz, MSLIS.

Are you new to writing a research poster or paper? Unsure of whether the library program you’ve created could be conveyed into a journal article or poster presentation? Are you adept at conducting research and crafting papers or posters? Maybe even interested in sharing your knowledge with other librarians?

Whichever one you answered “yes” to, we’re looking for you! Whether you are new to the area of library research or you’re a seasoned library professional, the SC/MLA Research Committee is looking for active SC/MLA members to participate in the Research Mentors program.

Mentors: If you have written a research paper or poster and/or presented your findings, consider offering your skills, knowledge, and experience to a librarian seeking to publish for the first time.

Mentees: If you have an idea in mind that you believe could be a future research paper or poster, or just have questions about the process, let a mentor help you bring those ideas to life through constructive feedback and support.

In addition, the Research Committee is especially interested in boosting participation for mentors and mentees from hospital librarians who are interested presenting research in this unique field.

There are great benefits in partnering with each other to promote research in the field of medical librarianship as noted by Research Committee Chair, J. Michael Lindsay:

"One of the most powerful ways we can advance medical librarianship as a profession is through publishing and presentation, and in mentoring colleagues in their development of these skills.  The research mentorship program is a great way to advance these efforts."

So let’s “stimulate and facilitate research activities within Southern Chapter membership,” by your participation in the Research Mentors program. Connect and foster new relationships with your fellow librarians. Encourage one another to develop new research initiatives and if you’d like to further “investigate” this opportunity please contact Kay Hogan-Smith or Lisa Travis, or read more about the mentoring program.