National Mentoring Month - January

January is National Mentoring Month. Given the library is a popular destination of mentors and mentees, it makes sense for public libraries to recognize their role in supporting these teams.  Celebrate this quiet but important role!  Did you know that the President of the United States issued a proclamation making this National Mentoring Month and that libraries are mentioned in the second paragraph?  Here is that sentence:


"At school and at home, in the library and on the field, mentors lift our youth toward their goals and ambitions.  As a teacher, a relative, or a trusted friend, a mentor's steady and dependable support can inspire a child to strive for success and instill in them the confidence to achieve their full potential."


January 26, 2012 is a special day of recognition of mentors.


Some mentoring programs have found the "Mentor, Mentee: Building Futures, Learning Together" graphic design and have ordered journals to give at recognition events later this month. The design includes an older and younger person comfortably reading together, snacking on m&m candies (mentor & mentee), library card alongside the young person, technology mixed in with print books.  Setting? Looks like a library!

The art includes m&m dictionary definitions:


Mentor: 
a wise and trusted counselor or teacher, an influential senior sponsor or supporter.


Mentee:
a person who is guided by a mentor.