FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 
May 18, 2017
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
JoAnn McManus
402-471-4870
800-307-2665
$27,000 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 $27,000 to twenty-one 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;
- assist with events such as annual book sales, NE150 celebrations, and contests;
- 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 and research;
- 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 internship grant funding:
Alma, Hoesch Memorial Public Library
Atkinson Public Library
Central City Public Library
Columbus Public Library
Cozad, Wilson Public Library
Crawford Public Library
Geneva Public Library
Grant, Hastings Public Library
Kimball Public Library
LaVista Public Library
Lincoln City Libraries (4 branches)
Neligh Public Library
Norfolk Public Library
Omaha Public Library (4 branches)
Orleans, Cordelia B. Preston Memorial Library
Plainview Public Library
Schuyler Public Library
Stromsburg Public Library
Verdigre Public Library
Wayne Public Library
York, Kilgore Memorial Library
Funding for the project is supported in part by the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act as 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 Institute of Museum and Library Services is the primary source of federal support for the nation’s 123,000 libraries and 17,500 museums. The Institute’s mission is to create strong libraries and museums that connect people to information and ideas. To learn more about IMLS, see
www.imls.gov/.
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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.
