An Introduction to Engaging Library

InternsBased on “Effective Library Internships: A Toolkit for Success,”

developed by Multnomah County Library

URLAll photos by Allen County (IN) Public Library (Flickr/Creative Commons)

Have you partnered with an intern before?

What was positive about the experience?

What was challenging?

Have you served as a library intern?

What was positive about the experience?

What was challenging?

What is an Internship?According to Messiah College and the Technology Council of

Central Pennsylvania:

“An internship is any carefully monitored work or service experience in which a student has intentional learning goals

and reflects actively on what she or he is learning throughout the experience”

Internship Characteristics • A duration of between one month and two years• Typically three to six months

• Generally a one-time experience

• Part-time or full-time

• Paid or non-paid

• Part of an educational program or completed independently

• Intentional learning is structured into the experience

• Balance sought between intern’s learning goals and specific work an organization needs done

• Structured to promote academic, career and/or personal development

SOURCE: “Starting and Maintaining a Quality Internship Program” by Messiah College and the Technology Council of Central Pennsylvania

Characteristics continuedWhen libraries around Pacific Northwest were asked in 2011 to define internships, respondents cited:

•Focus on career exploration

and skill development of intern

•Library responsible for

providing training, mentorship,

and evaluation

•Roles of a pre-determined length and

structure, often project-based

•Interns generally expected to already have appropriate

educational background to take on skilled roles/projects

How do interns differ from volunteers and staff?

What are the potential benefits for a library engaging

interns?

What are the potential benefits for the individual

intern?

What are the potential challenges for a library

engaging interns?

How can we engage interns?Long-term vs. Short-term

In-person vs. Online

How can we engage interns?Ongoing Tasks vs. New Projects

External Programs vs. Internal Capacity

Questions?

This training was designed by Multnomah County Libraryin Multnomah County, Oregon

as part of their D.I.Y. Intern Program – Toolkit for Success Project.

This project was generously funded by a 2011-2012 grant from the

State of Oregon’s Library Services & Technology Act (LSTA) Program

.