Will this upcoming virtual conference be your first MLA meeting? If so, the Music Library Association would like to give you the opportunity to participate in the MLA Conference Mentoring Program.
We are also seeking returning conference attendees who are willing to serve as mentors to our first-timers.
Due to the nature of this year’s conference, the expectations of those participating in the Conference Mentoring Program are somewhat different than in previous years. They will still attend the First-Time Attendees Reception together on March 1st. But in the past, mentors might have also attended a session with a mentee and performed in-person introductions at the conference. The virtual nature of this conference changes things a bit. Nevertheless, this is still a great opportunity to ask/answer questions about the structure of MLA, the purposes of the conference, and how those purposes are carried out. It is also a chance for new attendees to network with their mentors and other connections that are made via their mentors. Even though this is not an in-person meeting, mentors have the opportunity to assist new MLA members by being friendly and supportive contacts shortly before, during, and after the annual meeting. Perhaps a simple phone call prior to the meeting could ease any anxiety a first-time attendee is feeling. And when we do have a regular conference again one day, these relationships will prevent the mentees from feeling overwhelmed in the future—arguably making this year’s Mentoring Program more important than ever.
Participants will be matched prior to the conference, and each person will receive an e-mail with the contact information of your assigned partner. They will then be able to attend the First-Time Attendees Reception together on Monday, March 1st from 7-9 PM EST/4-6 PM PST.
Take this short survey to sign up to be either a Mentor or a Mentee by using this link: Music Library Association Conference Mentoring Program 2021
The survey will close on Friday, February 26, 2021.
If you know of any students or others who may be attending for the first time or who may not subscribe to MLA-L, by all means spread the word.