1. An Introduction to Engaging Library Interns Based on “Effective Library Internships: A Toolkit for Success,” developed by Multnomah County Library URL All photos by Allen County (IN) Public Library (Flickr/Creative Commons)Allen County (IN) Public Library

2. Have you partnered with an intern before? What was positive about the experience? What was challenging?

3. Have you served as a library intern? What was positive about the experience? What was challenging?

4. What is an Internship? According to Messiah College and the Technology Council of Central Pennsylvania: “An internship is any carefully monitored work or service experience in which a student has intentional learning goals and reflects actively on what she or he is learning throughout the experience”

5. Internship Characteristics A duration of between one month and two years Typically three to six months Generally a one-time experience Part-time or full-time Paid or non-paid Part of an educational program or completed independently Intentional learning is structured into the experience Balance sought between intern’s learning goals and specific work an organization needs done Structured to promote academic, career and/or personal development SOURCE: “Starting and Maintaining a Quality Internship Program” by Messiah College and the Technology Council of Central Pennsylvania

6. Characteristics continued When libraries around Pacific Northwest were asked in 2011 to define internships, respondents cited: Focus on career exploration and skill development of intern Library responsible for providing training, mentorship, and evaluation Roles of a pre-determined length and structure, often project-based Interns generally expected to already have appropriate educational background to take on skilled roles/projects

7. How do interns differ from volunteers and staff?

8. What are the potential benefits for a library engaging interns?

9. What are the potential benefits for the individual intern?

10. What are the potential challenges for a library engaging interns?

11. How can we engage interns? Long-term vs. Short-term In-person vs. Online

12. How can we engage interns? Ongoing Tasks vs. New Projects External Programs vs. Internal Capacity

13. Questions?

14. This training was designed by Multnomah County Library in Multnomah County, Oregon as part of their D.I.Y. Intern Program – Toolkit for Success Project. This project was generously funded by a 2011-2012 grant from the State of Oregon’s Library Services & Technology Act (LSTA) Program.Multnomah County LibraryD.I.Y. Intern Program – Toolkit for Success ProjectState of Oregon’s Library Services & Technology Act (LSTA) Program