Strengthening Mid-Career Librarianship: The Role of Mentoring in Professional Development

Mid-career librarians, typically those with 8 to 15 years of professional experience, play a pivotal role in maintaining the continuity, expertise, and leadership pipeline of academic libraries. However, this group often experiences a developmental gap—falling between early-career training programs and senior leadership roles. As libraries evolve with technological advances, shifting academic demands, and increasing service expectations, mid-career professionals may struggle to stay engaged, progress in their careers, or align with institutional changes. Mentoring, as a personalized and goal-oriented form of professional development, has emerged as a practical solution to address these gaps and foster growth, motivation, and retention among mid-career library staff.