ALIA Mentoring Scheme

The ALIA Mentoring Scheme suits those: 

• In the early to mid stages of their career 
• Prepared to make a commitment to invest in their professional life
• Who are curious, have a growth mindset, and are proactive 
• Who have the time to spare, the willingness to communicate, and the capacity to build a professional relationship with an experienced LIS professional
• Wanting to learn, identify areas for professional development, work towards goals, and grow their network

'I cannot thank you enough for the mentor you matched me with. It has been a wonderful 12 months of learning and sharing. You cannot put a price on this kind of experience. It is amazing to see how diverse the library sector is an the strength of library services, not just here in Australia, but globally.'

An ALIA mentee will:

• Drive the relationship: You are responsible for scheduling meetings and setting the agenda, not the mentor
• Show initiative & enthusiasm: Demonstrate a genuine desire to learn and grow
• Be prepared: Come to meetings with specific questions, challenges, or topics to discuss
• Act on advice: Implement the guidance provided and report back on results 
• Set goals: Clearly define what you want to achieve through the partnership
• Be consistent with follow-up: Send updates on your progress, to show impact
• Demonstrate gratitude: Express appreciation for the mentor’s time and effort

How will I be supported? 

ALIA supports you in a structured mentoring program that each pair can tailor to suit their specific goals and needs. It includes the following:

• Matching of mentees and mentors and support in forming the partnerships
• ALIA Mentoring Scheme Workbook
• Themed monthly webinars
• Online learning platform to host resources and interact
• The CPD Logbook to record reflections - open to all ALIA Personal Members
• A Certificate of Participation 

An ALIA staff member is always on hand to pick up the phone/answer an email should anything go awry or some additional support be needed. 

Does the ALIA Mentoring Scheme have a cost?

Yes. The 12-month 2026/2027 program will cost mentees just $240. Mentees will register and pay prior to being matched with a mentor.  All participants must be ALIA Personal Members (student, general or professional) and it is fine to sign-up for membership at the same time as you register for the program.

What non-financial resources will I need?

A mentee should make a minimum time commitment of around three hours each month - one hour for contact and two hours to prepare for your time with your mentor, watch the monthly webinar and interact online.  There is an expectation that the mentee will take primary responsibility for initiating contact and be proactive about their development.

What happens if you can’t match me with a mentor?

ALIA will make all attempts to match and support mentors and mentees. There may be very rare instances where no suitable mentoring matches can be made as the scheme is dependent on self-nomination from both mentees and mentors. If no suitable match can be made, a refund will be arranged.

How to register

Find the 2026/2027 ALIA Mentoring Scheme event on the Upcoming events & training page from 14 May -  28 June 2026. You will need to register and pay here, then complete the Mentee Information Form which you will receive by email. This Form will assist us in matching you with a Mentor. 

Should I be a mentor?

Watch the recording (from 4th June, 2026) of It's a two-way street: the benefits of being a mentor information session

Mentoring is for mid to senior level LIS professionals seeking to:

• Give back to the LIS community and foster upcoming talent
• Be exposed to new perspectives and insights
• Develop their leadership and coaching skills
• Further build their network
• Log more hours in the ALIA CPD Scheme
• Gain a sense of professional satisfaction

'I decided to participate in the Mentoring Scheme because I wanted to find a way to share some of my workplace experiences with others. The best aspect of mentoring is that it benefits both mentors and mentees. I’ve learned a lot from my mentee.'

How will I be supported?

ALIA provides a structured mentoring program that each pair can tailor to suit. It includes the following:

• Matching of mentees and mentors
• ALIA Mentoring Scheme Workbook and themed monthly webinars as springboards for discussion
• The CPD Logbook to record reflections - open to all ALIA Personal Members
• A Certificate of Appreciation

An ALIA staff member is always on hand to pick up the phone/answer an email should anything go awry, or some additional support be needed. 

How much does it cost?

Nothing! The scheme is free for mentors. Mentors receive access to all the supporting materials, webinars, and support from ALIA staff in return for their time and engagement.

What non-financial resources will I need?

The mentor should expect to spend at least one hour in direct communication with the mentee each month. Mentors also often find it useful to tune into the monthly webinars and may need time to prepare and reflect on meetings. It is expected that the mentee will take primary responsibility for initiating contact and being proactive about their development.

Can I have more than one mentee?

Mentors can choose to have more than one mentee per intake. They should consider carefully the time requirement involved in mentoring and ensure that they have adequate time to give to more than one mentee. It is recommended to spend at least one hour per month per mentee contact time, however some mentoring pairs communicate on a more regular basis than the recommended minimum and this should be taken into account when considering whether you could be paired with more than one mentee.

What happens if you can’t match me with a mentee?

ALIA will make all attempts to match and support mentors and mentees. There may be very rare instances where no suitable mentoring matches can be made as the scheme is dependent on self-nomination from both mentees and mentors.

How to apply

Registrations will open in May 2027