$22,750 in Internship Grants Awarded to Nebraska Public Libraries

The Nebraska Library Commission and the Nebraska Library Association recently awarded 21st Century Librarian internship grants totaling $22,750 to eighteen 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 work in libraries, contributing needed help and sharing skills for a variety of summer and year-round library projects. Benefits abound for all involved&em;for the interns, for the libraries, and for the people served by the participating libraries,” said Nebraska Library Commission Director Rod Wagner. “The Nebraska Library Commission appreciates the renewal of Federal and foundation support for the internship grants.” Funding for the project is provided through the generosity of a Nebraska charitable foundation that wishes to remain anonymous and through a Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian Program grant from the federal Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS). Such funding helps the Nebraska Library Commission and the Nebraska Library Association continue to support the missions and goals of libraries across Nebraska and statewide efforts to recruit the next generation of Nebraska’s librarians. Student interns will learn about library work as they shadow and assist with day-to-day library operations and implement special projects. Interns will lead youth summer reading program activities, conduct training sessions to teach senior citizens to use technology, facilitate book discussion activities, help develop and update library Website and Facebook pages, create young adult library programs and spaces, help design library parade floats, work on publicity materials for library programs, sort and preserve archival materials, and assist in a host of other worthwhile activities. Christy Walsh, Nebraska Library Association President, remarked, “The Nebraska Library Association is proud to partner with the Nebraska Library Commission for the student internship grant program. Encouraging the growth of librarianship through partnerships and grants helps shape our libraries, communities, and organizations and reaches well beyond geographical boundaries. Internships empower students to experience librarianship on the front lines, while hosting institutions gain from a fresh perspective through the intern’s eyes. Anything we can do to encourage aspiring librarians in the field is a winning venture.” The following Nebraska libraries received internship grant funding: • Arapahoe Public Library • Bartley Public Library • Bassett, Rock County Public Library • Beatrice Public Library • Blair Public Library • Elgin Public Library • Howells Public Library • Lincoln City Libraries • Meadow Grove Public Library • Neligh Public Library • Norfolk Public Library • Ord Township Library • Papillion, Sump Memorial Library • Ponca Carnegie Library • Randolph, Lied Randolph Public Library • Schuyler Public Library • South Sioux City Public Library • Wayne Public Library