$44,800 in Internship Grants Awarded to Nebraska Public Libraries

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 24, 2019 FOR MORE INFORMATION: Christa Porter 402-471-3107 800-307-2665 $44,800 in Internship Grants Awarded to Nebraska Public Libraries Nebraskans will once again reap the benefits of the energy and creativity of Nebraska young people as they serve as interns in their local public libraries. The Nebraska Library Commission recently awarded Nebraska Library Internship Grants totaling $44,800 to forty-six Nebraska public libraries. These internship grants will support public library interns, who will contribute to the scope and value of the diverse programs and activities in Nebraska’s public libraries. “The internships are a great opportunity for students to get involved in library work. Beyond earning money and gaining valuable work experience, the student is exposed to the broad range of library services and programming. Internships provide an opportunity for the student to view the library as a viable and satisfying career choice. In addition, interns bring a fresh perspective and their own unique talents to the library,” said Nebraska Library Commission Director Rod Wagner. Student interns will learn about library work as they shadow staff, assist with day-to-day library operations, and implement special projects. Some of the activities that students will participate in include: • plan and implement programs such as summer reading programs for all ages, storytime sessions, book discussions, and teen/tween activities; • facilitate partnerships with the Neihardt State Historic Site, Mid-Plains Community College, and YMCA; • organize Makerspaces and Maker Clubs, as well as other STEAM learning activities; • create book displays, bulletin boards, and craft activities; • assist with outreach events outside the library; • update the library’s website and social media sites (Facebook, Pinterest, blogs, etc.); • assist with circulation activities, book selection, and collection management; • teach technology classes and assist library customers with electronic devices, research, and Coding Clubs; • create flyers, newsletters, newspaper articles, and other promotional materials; and • assist with verbal and written Spanish⁄English communication. The following Nebraska public libraries were awarded 2019 internship grant funding: Alma, Hoesch Memorial Library Arlington Public Library Atkinson Public Library Bancroft Public Library Bayard Public Library Central City Public Library Clarkson Public Library Columbus Public Library Cozad, Wilson Public Library Franklin Public Library Fremont, Keene Memorial Library Grant, Hastings Memorial Library Kimball Public Library Laurel Public Library Leigh Public Library Lincoln City Libraries (6 branches) Madison Public Library McCook Public Library Minden, Jensen Memorial Library Morrill Public Library Norfolk Public Library Oakdale Public Library Papillion, Sump Memorial Library Ponca Carnegie Library Shelby Community Library Sidney Public Library Raymond A Whitwer Tilden Public Library Valley Public Library Verdigre Public Library Additionally, twelve public libraries participating in the Library Innovation Studios: Transforming Rural Communities” (LIS) project have also received 2019 internship grant funding. The interns hired in these libraries will primarily be working with this LIS makerspace grant. These libraries include: Beatrice Public Library Blue Hill Public Library Central City Public Library Chadron Public Library Geneva Public Library Grant, Hastings Memorial Library Hastings Public Library Kimball Public Library Laurel Community Learning Center Nebraska City, Morton-James Public Library Plainview Public Library Verdigre Public Library Funding for the project is supported and administered by the Nebraska Library Commission, in partnership with the Nebraska Library Systems. As the state library agency, the Nebraska Library Commission is an advocate for the library and information needs of all Nebraskans. The mission of the Library Commission is statewide promotion, development, and coordination of library and information services, “bringing together people and information.” Nebraska’s Regional Library Systems consist of four non-profit corporations governed by boards representative of libraries and citizens in the region. The four systems were established to provide access to improved library services through the cooperation of all types of libraries and media centers within the counties included in each System area. ### The most up-to-date news releases from the Nebraska Library Commission are always available on the Library Commission Website, http://nlc.nebraska.gov/publications/newsreleases.