Protégé perspective
Most of my life I have struggled with the isolation of being among the few APA people and the erasure of my heritage in a “we don’t see color” community. Unsurprisingly, when I became a library worker, I was one of two people of color in my branch. Before APALA, I wanted to grow professionally and expand my network, but I had no idea how to even begin. As my APALA mentor, Johana, and I worked to develop concrete objectives she challenged me to discover the value my contributions could bring to my colleagues, service community and librarianship. Through the program, I refined my leadership and technical skills. I later realized that these skills were not only essential for my daily work but prepared me to tackle broader goals. For the first time, my professional goals did not seem out-of-reach.
After expressing a desire to build my network, Johana urged me to pursue the ALA Spectrum Scholarship and to consider attending a conference. Before my involvement with APALA, I would never have had the courage to ask my supervisor if I could attend a conference, much less go to ALA Annual unaccompanied. When I communicated that I eventually wanted to serve on committees, I had no idea this dream could become a reality so early in my career! As part of my goals in the program, I researched several committees and spoke with the former co-chair of the APALA Family Literacy Focus Committee. I knew that I had found the perfect fit for my passion and was excited to give back.
Furthermore, as I navigated various obstacles as a library worker of color, Johana provided me with thoughtful, personal support and experienced, professional guidance through open dialogue. In the Mentoring Program, I established a personal vision for myself. I entered the program with a vague idea about the growth that I wanted to experience, but I left with a clear direction for my career and a plan for my development. APALA has provided me with a community of support and has given me a voice as an APA library worker. I am grateful for the APALA Mentoring Program and feel truly blessed to have had such a knowledgeable, inspiring, dedicated and thoughtful mentor.
BIO:
Amy Bartko is a Branch Services Assistant for the Children’s Department at the Parma Heights Branch of the Cuyahoga County Public Library, OH. She is pursuing an MLIS degree at Kent State University. She serves on the 2019-2020 Family Literacy Focus Committee and is a 2020 Spectrum Scholar. She enjoys being outdoors and relaxing with her family.
Mentor Perspective
I have been a chair, a co-chair, and a member of the Mentoring Committee 5 times since 2012. This past program year I also became one of the mentors having reached mid-career status. For my first official Mentoring experience I was blessed to be connected with Amy Bartko. From the first time we spoke there was a rush of excitement! Here was a young woman as equally curious, passionate, and as ambitious as I, and we were about to embark on a journey together.
Throughout the 10 month program period, Amy and I met regularly every 2 weeks via phone. We laser-focused her goals, broke down essential skills that she needed to develop, and then created actionable steps. In the process, I was intentionally spelling out the “why?” Why was I asking her to request meetings with me and set the agenda? Why was I asking her to apply for a scholarship? Why was I asking her to pick a committee to volunteer in? Each decision and action went back to her goals with meaningful explanations. By the end of the program, Amy was more confident, felt more prepared to continue working on her own, and had already achieved large measurable results to her current goals.
By participating in the APALA Mentoring Program I understand that mentorship creates a sense of community for many APA library workers. Many new professionals feel a sense of loneliness and are unable to express frustrations that are POC specific. All POC have to code-switch when interacting with non-POCs, increasing the feeling of isolation in librarianship. APA library workers that participate in the Mentoring Program meet new people, start creating a network of APAs with similar interests, and overall find a sense of connection in the APALA family.
If you are considering mentoring someone, apply to the APALA Mentoring Program. Through the program you are paying it forward by helping a newer professional avoid learning lessons the hard way, engaging them to reach their full potential, and preparing them to keep the door open for someone else. More importantly, you are making life-long friends in your profession.
Bio:
Johana Orellana Cabrera is an Adult Services Librarian at the North Richland Hills Public Library, TX. She is a 2011 Spectrum Scholar, 2015 ALA Emerging Leader, and currently serves a second term as an ALA Councilor-at-Large. She is also a member of the ALA Committee on Committees and a member of the TLA Tejas Star Reading List. When she is not working, she enjoys relaxing with her family, traveling to beautiful places, and eating a lot of food.
Johana Orellana Cabrera (pronounced yoh-AH-nuh oh-RAY-YAH-nuh)