This page provides an outline of the ALN Mentoring Scheme, together with links to fuller details, and the application forms to become a mentor and/or a mentee.
Recruitment for this year has now closed (06.11.26).
The Mentoring Oversight Group (MOG) will now work on matching mentees with mentors. You should expect to hear from the MOG in mid- to late-November with details of your mentor/mentee. The relationships will then begin in January 2027.
To help you to understand a bit more about what the scheme is about, we held two information sessions where members of the Mentoring Oversight Group presented an overview of the scheme and were available to answer your questions (13 October and 23 October 2026). You can see the slides from the sessions here. If you have questions, please contact us.
Applying to join the scheme – next applications open in September 2027
** You can see a PDF of the whole Mentee Application Form – Wave 7 (January 2027).pdf and whole Mentor Application Form – Wave 7 (January 2027).pdf this shows you all the questions you will be asked before committing to completing the form. You can choose to complete the form in one go or to save it as you go along. **
** Please also complete an Equality & Diversity Monitoring Form whether applying to be a mentor or a mentee **
If you have any problems with the forms, please get in touch.
Interested in joining future waves?
Take a look at our introductory videos which will help you to understand a little bit more about the scheme – the first from the former Chair of the ALN Mentoring Oversight Group (then based at the University of Hull Library), Ali Craig and the second from Karen Hickman, a mentoring expert from the Yorkshire Accord and the Coaching Bug, who provides training for the scheme.
Mentor Recordings
Our mentors have made recordings to help you to see the benefits of joining the scheme, whether as a mentor or mentee. They only take a minute or two to watch and may help convince you why our scheme is for you!
- Lesley English, explains what she and her mentees have got from the scheme.
- Ciara Murray from Lancaster University, describes her experiences of being a mentor on the scheme.
Interested in joining but have some doubts?
Here are some quotes from past mentees and mentors offering some advice which might help you decide!.
If you have a query about any part of the process, please contact the ALN Development Managers who will discuss it with the Mentoring Oversight Group.
Full scheme guidelines
You can see full details of the scheme in our Mentoring Scheme Guidelines. The guidelines go into detail on all aspects of the scheme and should cover everything you might need to know. If you are still unsure about anything about the scheme, though, please get in touch with us – academiclibrariesnorth@sconul.ac.uk.
Current Wave – January – September/October 2027
The 7th wave of the scheme will begin in January 2027.
Key facts
- There is one recruitment campaign each year, running from January.
- Those who apply as mentees are supported for a period of 9-10 months. As a guideline, we expect meetings will take place every 4 to 6 weeks for around 90 minutes to 2 hours at a time.
- We provide overview and induction training for everyone who applies to our scheme, including a mentee briefing and mentoring skills training for potential mentors.
- The mentor and mentee work together to agree expectations and form an agreement for working. They are responsible for planning the learning agenda and meeting schedule.
- There is no required output at the end of the mentoring relationship (ie you don’t need to write a report or provide an update to anyone). ALN hopes you benefit from your time on the scheme. We send out a feedback form to all mentors and mentees to get their views on how the scheme went and we would appreciate it if that is completed so we can continue to ensure the scheme evolves to meet the needs of our members.
Meeting with your mentor
- The initial meeting between mentor and mentee should focus less on formal mentoring and more on getting to know one another. Discussions might include career backgrounds, professional interests, mentoring goals, communication preferences, and expectations for the relationship.
- The meeting should provide space for both mentor and mentee to assess whether they feel comfortable talking openly, whether there is sufficient rapport and mutual trust, and whether the mentor’s experience aligns with the mentee’s aspirations.
- A strong mentoring relationship depends not only on expertise but also on the quality of the connection between the participants, so both parties should feel confident that they can work together constructively before committing to the partnership.
Scope and purpose
- The ALN Mentoring Scheme is voluntary and is open to all staff in the consortium’s member libraries.
- The scheme will dovetail with SCONUL’s mentoring scheme for senior staff.
- The core purpose of the scheme is to support library staff in their professional growth by facilitating mentoring relationships with more experienced colleagues.
- The scheme also aims to support the progression of LGBTQ+ and BAME staff by giving mentees the opportunity to be matched with a mentor from a specific group or background.
- Both partners in the mentoring relationship will learn and gain from the experience, and this in turn will sustain a continuous learning cycle within the Consortium.
This will be achieved by:
- Promoting the ALN scheme as a valuable tool within an individual’s own development portfolio.
- Managing a process within which those seeking a mentor can be supported in identifying a suitable partner.
- Providing guidance and support for those participating in the ALN mentoring scheme.
- Providing opportunities for mentees to be matched with a mentor from a specific background or group.
- Monitoring and evaluating the scheme to deliver continuous improvement and demonstrate impact.
Objectives
Our objectives are:
- To promote mentoring across the ALN community.
- To recruit and match mentees with mentors according to the scheme’s eligibility criteria.
- To support mentors and mentees in making the most of the partnership.
- To enhance the personal and professional growth of mentees through their contribution to the mentoring partnership.
- To draw on the learning and experience of mentors for the benefit of mentees and the wider academic library sector in the north.
- To develop the scheme through an optional process in which mentees may become mentors in their turn.
- To demonstrate the impact of the ALN scheme through continuous monitoring and evaluation.
- To maintain awareness of best practice in mentoring and ensure that the ALN scheme continues to meet the highest standards.
Eligibility criteria
The ALN Mentoring Scheme is aimed at non-senior library staff. Senior library staff looking for a mentoring scheme to support progression into leadership roles are encouraged to use the SCONUL mentoring scheme.
Mentors should have at least two years’ experience at a level equivalent to or higher than the proposed mentee. Mentors and mentees must be working for an ALN member library to apply to the scheme and have approval from their line manager to take part.
These eligibility criteria are guidelines and the ALN Mentoring Oversight Group will use its discretion and common sense when proposing a partnership.
History
Our mentoring scheme launched in November 2022, with two waves taking place in academic year 2022/2023, the first intake being in early 2023 and the second during the summer and autumn of 2023. Following a review at the ALN AGM and Board meeting in November 2023, the success of the scheme encouraged directors to move the scheme from a pilot to part of ALN’s standard offer. Initially we offered 2 waves each year but since 2025, following feedback from mentors and mentees, we have moved to one wave a year, beginning in January each year.