NCompass Live - January 8, 2014. http://nlc.nebraska.gov/ncompasslive/ The 21st Century Librarian internship grant program, sponsored by the Nebraska Library Association and Nebraska Library Commission, awarded grants totaling $20,250 to eighteen Nebraska public libraries in 2013. Students have been learning about library work as they shadow and assist with day-to-day operations and implement special projects. In this session, participating libraries will share their experiences with the internship program, including successes and lessons learned. This session will also introduce the upcoming 2014 grant opportunity for internships, offered by the Nebraska Library Commission and made possible through a grant from the Institute for Museum and Library Services. Presenters: Kathryn Brockmeier, Grant Program Manager, 21st Century Librarian Program, Nebraska Library Commission; Evelyn Ost and Saresse Clay, Rock County Public Library; MeMe Smith, Schuyler Public Library; Rose Barcal, La Vista Public Library.

1. INTERNSHIP GRANTS
21 Century Librarian, 2014
Nebraska Library Commission
Nebraska Library Association
Institute of Museum and Library Services

2. Introduction
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Deadline for applications: 4:59 p.m., Central
Time, February 18, 2014
Award date: March 17, 2014
Award amount: $500 - $1,000
Eligibility: Accredited public libraries
Website:
http://nowhiringatyourlibrary.nebraska.gov/Inter
nships.asp

3. Goals & outcomes
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Involvement in real library work
Introduction to varied and exciting work
Recruitment tool
Enlightened view, understanding of behindthe-scenes operations, insights into the role of
technology in libraries
Financial assistance to expand a program or
complete a project; bring in fresh ideas

4. About the program
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Grant awards are stipends
One or more interns
Introduction to the world of library work
Orientation to basic duties
Special projects
Partnering with other libraries
Evaluation

5. In 2013…
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21 grants to 18 libraries
Total amount: $20,250 ($500 - $1,000 each)
10 located in rural Nebraska

6. Specific projects
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Manage, conduct, or assist with summer reading
programming
Juvenile and young adult collection development
Solicit donations for summer reading program
Organize and implement a youth book discussion
group
It is such a bonus to have an intern to be able to stretch our staff to
create new projects and learn new skills. The addition of short films on
our website increased our visibility online and added an entertainment
factor to our website. Patrons, of course, enjoyed seeing their kids
featured in a film.

7. Technology skills to the
forefront
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Complete videos of summer reading activities as
a promotional tool
Create an instructional video on Overdrive
use, added to the website
Prepare pictures for banner rotation on the
website
Start a library Facebook page
Web page design
Update policies on the website
Review of other library websites to implement new
ideas
Create public relations materials on the computer

8. Intern & supervisor feedback
Throughout the
summer, I produced
promotional videos
about the summer
reading program. By
doing this, I learned
how to use
cameras, video
cameras, and
Windows Live Movie
Maker in much
greater detail.
Our intern was assigned
the project of producing
and completing 8 videos
of summer reading
program activities. This is
the first time our library
has produced and used
videos as a promotional
tool. Our intern quickly
learned to use the
equipment and software
to make movies and at
the end of the internship
she instructed other staff
members in the software.

9. Impact on interns
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I learned about the broad variety of goals that
librarians are tasked with achieving.
There is a lot more work than most people realize.
Not only does one have to be knowledgeable in
books and authors but one also has to be
knowledgeable in science, math, and business.
I haven't decided what I would like to do for a
career in the future, but after this summer I would
definitely consider being a librarian.
I learned that librarians need to have very
extensive knowledge regarding the operations of
computers and their programs.

10. Promotion
Beatrice Daily Sun; July 12, 2013

11. Promotion
Facebook Page photo of intern
and library staff; July 25, 2013

12. Eligibility & expectations
Accredited Nebraska public libraries may apply. The applicant
may partner with other types of libraries to provide a variety of
work settings. In addition to meeting the eligibility
requirement, the applicant must:
 Submit the application online
 Complete the internship on or before September 30, 2014
 Assign a supervisor who will:
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Direct student to complete Intern Baseline and Post-Internship
Assessments and submit completed forms in a timely manner
Track student’s hours and activities
Complete and submit Supervisor Post-Internship Assessment in
a timely manner.
Credit the Institute of Museum and Library Services, the
Nebraska Library Commission, and the Nebraska Library
Association in all publicity about the project.

13. The application
Background:
 Reason for
participation
 Underlying need or
opportunity
Effect:
 Anticipated benefits
to
student, library, com
munity
Schedule of activities:
 Projects and
activities
 Student’s role
 General orientation
plan
 Timeline

14. Application review
Preference will be given to proposals that
include:
 a schedule of activities,
 an orientation to all library service
functions, and
 commitment to meeting grant expectations.
Encouraged:
 Partnership projects
 First-time applicants

15. Contact
Kathryn Brockmeier
Grant Program Manager
kathryn.brockmeier@nebraska.gov
402-471-4002; 800-307-2665 (NE only)