Thinking about an internship for
Spring 2020???
How do I get started? Contact Bill ASAP!
LIBT 2900: Library Information Technology Internship FAQ
Where can I do my internship?
You can do an internship at just about any type of library, just about anywhere. Think about what commuting limitations you might have, as well as the physical environment in which you want to work. Do you:
- Need the site to be accessible using mass transit?
- Want the site to be close to work? Home? School?
- Want to intern in a public, academic, or special library or school media center?
- Want to work independently or more closely with other people?
- Prefer to complete your hours during evenings, weekends, or day times?
The answers to these questions will help guide your choices. For example, if you need to complete your internship during evening hours, a school media center won’t be a good choice for you. Alternately, if the ideal library setting for you only has daytime hours available, you’ll need to adjust your schedule accordingly
What can I do for my internship?
Internship or practicum projects should move beyond basic clerical tasks, although they might include those types of tasks. Think about what skills you’d like to develop. Would you like to get a variety of experiences or focus on one or two areas? Would you prefer public services, technical services, or a mix of both? Many internship sites will customize an experience just for you, so don’t be afraid to ask!
Other libraries have established, predefined internship projects. If there is a library you want to work with, check to see if they have an internship program. Those libraries that do have established internships often have application processes in place; be sure to find out if there are any deadlines you need to meet.
What are the expectations for me for the internship?
You can choose to enroll for 3 credits (120 hours on-site) or 4 credits (160 hours on site) for the internship. You and your site supervisor will establish your work plan and schedule together. Your hours at your internship site should be consistent from week to week, to be respectful of the people with whom you will be working.
The internship also requires online interaction with your colleagues who are engaged in their respective internships and the Internship Coordinator. We use course management software called D2L Brightspace to discuss issues and write about your experiences. You’re expected to post regular updates and respond to those of your colleagues. The Internship Coordinator monitors and facilitates the discussions.
Finally, you will develop a working resume targeted for job seeking in the library field. Your working resume, coupled with your online class participation, your work plan, confirmation of hours on-site, and your evaluation will make up your internship portfolio.
What are the expectations for my site supervisor?
Your site supervisor is expected to generally be a resource person for you during the period of your internship. The level of direct supervision will vary depending on the type of work you’re performing for the host organization, but your site supervisor should be accessible to you either in person or by email or telephone most of your working hours or by other arrangement. Your site supervisor will work with you to develop your work plan and schedule, as noted above. Your site supervisor will also verify your work hours and near the end of your internship will provide you with a performance evaluation. That performance evaluation will also be part of your internship portfolio, as discussed.
How is the internship graded?
The internship is graded on a pass-fail basis. Failure to perform at a satisfactory level in any one portfolio area may result in failure of the internship.
