A Comparative Case Study of Mentoring in the Library Profession in Botswana and Trinidad and Tobago

Abstract

Mentoring is a dynamic and evolving experience despite cultural, social and environmental influences in the library profession and the organization. The needs of each society and institution determine the criteria for the programme. Minimal information exists in the Caribbean and some areas of Africa on informal and formal mentoring programmes in the library profession. This paper is a comparative study into mentoring in Trinidad and Tobago and Botswana for members of the library associations. The study confined its scope to library professionals. An electronic form which contained a total of nine (9) questions, with some questions having appendages to them, derived from the research objectives was disseminated for a comprehensive comparative analysis of the two societies. The findings revealed similar information in both countries on the need for mentoring in the information profession. Librarians in both countries are not conversant with the concept of mentoring and mentoring programmes that boost library professionals. This study will raise important issues that relate to mentoring programmes for information professionals in this career field.