Applications for Student Intern Grants Available May 15, 2009

The Nebraska Library Association and Nebraska Library Commission will offer grants to accredited public libraries for student internships. This joint project, Cultivating Nebraska Librarians 2.0: Building 21st Century Skills, is funded through a partnership of Nebraska donors and foundations. These internships for youth workers are a follow-up to last year’s highly successful program, which was made possible through federal funding (that is not currently available). Internship grants introduce promising high school and college students to the varied and exciting work of Nebraska libraries. The internship functions as a recruitment tool, helping the participant view the library as a viable career opportunity. Previous internships yielded great responses: “The interns provided invaluable contributions to the library system this summer… In short, the interns did a full array of library work. We sincerely hope the experience was as beneficial to the interns as it was to Lincoln City Libraries and its customers.” —Internship supervisor, letter dated September 4, 2008 “I would love to be able to have a job that benefits the community. Libraries are so necessary to the community and I would love to be a part of that!”—2008 intern “Not just regular checking-in-and-out routine. There’s a lot going on in Outreach Department; going to county sites, cultural centers, and many other programs.”—2008 intern “I now possess a new understanding of how challenging working in the library can be. Additionally, the work I have performed for this internship has inspired me to attend graduate school to earn a master’s degree so that I may pursue a more advanced career in the library.” —2008 college-age intern “I knew that librarians did many of the things I originally thought, but I have learned how much work is involved in this and how busy you can be. Our librarians do so much for our community and take on many activities and programs.”—2008 high school intern “He (the intern) wanted to spend more time with the computers than patrons, but seemed to enjoy meeting people as he became more comfortable with his duties. He learned to prepare materials for check-out, to shelve, to work with patrons, including those attending after-school programs…I am excited about this program. I think it is a great way to get students interested in library work as a profession.”—2008 intern supervisor Each internship grant provides a stipend of up to $1,000 for a student to work approximately 100 hours with library staff on a variety of projects and activities. Student interns provide valuable assistance with library service activities and local library programming. Library staff help introduce high school or college students to the joys of library service careers. Grant criteria and processes are currently under development. Application forms will be available beginning May 15. For more information, see www.NowHiringAtYourLibrary.org or www.nebraskalibraries.org, or contact Mary Jo Ryan, Nebraska Library Commission Communications Coordinator, 402-471-3434 or 402-471-2665.