Empowering Future Managers Through Cohort Mentoring

Since before the pandemic, San Mateo County Libraries in California struggled to retain top performing staff and fill key management roles internally. Promotional candidates felt they lacked the skills to make the jump to manager and didn’t know how to obtain them. Meanwhile, existing managers were less concerned about skillsets and more concerned with candidates’ ability to navigate the library system’s unique organizational culture. Mentorship is a proven way to help staff gain perspective, practical skills, and second-hand experience, but can be difficult to manage with limited time and resources. That’s why San Mateo County Libraries developed a program that brings the best of all worlds. Learn how cohort mentoring addresses skills that are hard to gain on the job and is an investment in staff growth that positively impacts an organization’s equity goals, long-term sustainability, and success.

Learning Outcomes

At the conclusion of this webinar, participants will be able to:

• Recognize critical issues regarding staff retention and succession planning;
• Identify ways a mentorship program can help their organization; and
• Adapt a cohort-based program that fits their organization's needs.

Who Should Attend

This webinar is intended for public library supervisors, managers, and directors; human resources staff; and anyone with an interest in staff development, retention, and succession planning.

Presenters

Garrett Kuramoto (he/him) is a community library manager at San Mateo County Libraries, overseeing the Portola Valley and Woodside libraries. He has experience in children's, adult, technical, and IT services across large and small library systems throughout California; and is a strong advocate for exceptional customer service and staff growth and development. Garrett holds an MLIS from Simmons University, an MBA, and is a Gallup-Certified Strengths Coach.

Ally Garcia (she/her) is the human resources manager at San Mateo County Libraries, previously serving as the manager over library operations for multiple systems. She has worked in academic, rural, and suburban libraries leading youth, adult, public services, and outreach divisions, including driving a bookmobile! She is committed to exceptional customer service, both internally and externally, and is always looking for ways to ensure staff feel cared about and engaged. Ally holds an MLIS from UCLA, and currently chairs the Employee Engagement and Wellness workgroup for San Mateo County Libraries.

CALL Training Partner for this Event: American Library Association

**NOTE**: Access information for this learning event will be sent to all registrants by American Library Association before the start of the event. In order to take this course/attend this webinar you will need to create (or use an existing) ALA account to proceed. It is free to create an account and you do not need to be an ALA member. If you do not wish to create an ALA account please cancel your registration.