going viral

Abby and Kelly suggested that mentoring would work well for some within the library structure ie mentor and mentee both from within the library, but that it is important to consider broader options that would 

• allow for external expertise to be shared with library staff
• cultivate a heightened sense of confidentiality
• involve other units to benefit from the work going into the pilot
• demonstrate the desire for mentoring to the University funding body 
• improve prospects for longevity of the program (moving beyond the pilot)

ODU are aware of other units who are interested in mentoring and have helped make connections with the library. It is amazingly exciting to see this project grow beyond the rather nebulous idea and start to become not only a reality but a true cross-unit collaboration.

collaboration excitement

One thing I wasn't prepared for when undertaking my Inspire project was how thrilling the collaborative process is. I've been doing some reading and dipping into the HMM modules because I know now how important the ICVF broker role is.

I've learned from the Inspire manual that the broker exerts influence within the university and influences decisions in his/her area. At the first couple of meetings to get the mentoring pilot off the ground I was so nervous and a little lost that I just watched Christine as she used her brokering skills. The reading and Inspire workshops have been great for the theory but seeing it in action was a privilege and really rounded out the learning experience.

As we gear up to send out the EOIs (Expression of Interest) we've been working with Kelly and Abby from UWS ODU and oh how exciting those meetings are! I come out of them walking on air and so enthusiastically inspired. I guess I'm using some brokering skills in the meeting process but it's certainly not hard. We bounce ideas off each other and come to a consensus quickly and naturally, and I feel my confidence growing after each one.