Inspiring Library and Information Professionals: Nominations now open for the 2013 CILIP Mentor of the Year Award

If you have been helped, inspired and guided by a mentor who has had a positive impact on your personal and professional development, you can now nominate them for 2013 CILIP Mentor of the Year Award.

Advice, support and having a critical friend can make a real difference to your career, from applying for your first job, to taking high-level strategic decisions. The Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals (CILIP) mentor scheme also gives those further in their careers the chance to shape their sector and share their wisdom.

As the leading voice of the library and information profession, we are looking to highlight the dedication of those who give their time and knowledge to help others develop.

In a CILIP Mentor of the Year we are looking for somebody: 

· Approachable and accessible.

· Committed to aiding personal development.

· Who values and respects their mentees' professional views.

· Willing to share the breadth of professional knowledge and understanding they have gained from their experiences across the library and information community.

· Helping their mentee to develop the confidence to understand and deal with professional challenges. 

All nominees must be current CILIP members, CILIP registered mentors and working with at least one professional registration candidate/candidate working towards Certification, Chartered Membership, Fellowship and Revalidation. 

Phil Bradley, CILIP President said: 

"Ours is a unique and brilliant profession, but it can be tough to get started in and difficult to navigate once there. The CILIP mentoring scheme is one of the best things that we can do as professionals. It not only helps the sector through the sharing of knowledge and the building of a confident and competent workforce but it also feels great to see somebody develop and grow. I am delighted that the CILIP Mentor of the Year Award is celebrating some of the sector's un-sung heroes and would urge anyone lucky enough to have a great mentor to nominate them." 

Gil Young, winner of the first ever CILIP Mentor of the Year Award said: 

"I was at work when I received the call to tell me that I had won the award. I was thrilled but rather overwhelmed as well. The person who had nominated me was an absolute pleasure to mentor and I genuinely feel that I learnt a lot from her. It was an example of the mentoring relationship at it best with us both getting lots out of it." 

Those wishing to nominate their mentor can by writing in 500 words or less on how their mentor meets the criteria above. Entries must be received no later than 6th September 2013.