The document summarizes information about the Nebraska Library Internship Grant Program, which provides funding for library internships. It outlines the program's goals of involving students in real library work and introducing them to library careers. Details are provided about eligibility, award amounts of $500-$1000 per library, and expectations for libraries and interns. Examples of past interns' projects show the wide variety of tasks interns engage in. Feedback from supervisors and interns suggests the program is an effective way to recruit future library workers while benefiting libraries.

1. Nebraska Library Commission
Nebraska Regional Library Systems
Funded through Library Services and
Technology Act, Institute of Museum and
Library Services
2017 Nebraska
Library Internship Grant
Program

2. Goals & Outcomes
 Involves students in real library work
 Introduces intern to varied & exciting work of
libraries
 Serves as recruitment tool helping student to
view library work as a viable career
opportunity
 Provides view of libraries’ role, understanding
of library operations, look at the role of
technology
 Provides financial assistance to students who
often help to expand a program or complete a
project & bring in fresh ideas

3. Basics – Who & How much
 Award amount: $500 - $1,000 (per library or
branch), up to $25,000
 No Matching Funds required
 Eligibility: Accredited public libraries
 Funding for Stipends or Wages provided to
interns
 Eligible Interns – High School & College
Students
 Never employed by a library
 Never interned at a library
 No restrictions associated with current or past

4. Introduction—Dates &
Deadlines
 Deadline for applications: 5:00 p.m., Central
Time, December 21, 2016
 Award announcement: February 10, 2017
 Planning for Successful Internships
NCompass Live: March 8, 2017 (if applying, put
this on your calendar)
 Internship Window – No earlier than March 15,
2017 & Wrapped up by November 30, 2017

5. Expectations of Library
 Library staff recruit and select their intern(s)
 Library staff provide an orientation to library work over
the course of the internship – orientation should
include broad overview of work beyond the work
duties assigned.
 Intern’s supervisor assigns & oversees tasks/duties
 Can be wide variety of duties or can be more specific to
skills of intern and/or needs of library
 Library staff track intern’s hours and activities
 Library staff complete assessments and report in a
timely manner
 Library Director submits form attesting to how grant
funds were expended (only for stipends, wages and if
applicable, for withholdings/taxes)

6. Projects/duties of 2016 Interns
 Anthony worked to understand how our
website works and taught me how to use it.
 Haley’s main project was to research the
feasibility and methods for switching to a non-
Dewey call number system.
 Shea planned and hosted Murder Mystery
Night at the library.
 Lila was asked to come up with a plan to start
a Golden Sowers Reading Club and she
came up with levels of progress, prize ideas,
and even made book review forms for the
program.

7. Projects/duties of 2016 Interns
 Huyen-Yen created a flyer advertising our Teen
Advisory Board Meeting. The flyer was so
amazing that we got some new teams at the
meeting based on the flyer.
 Kayden worked on planning the 3-D printer
classes to learn the software and design
something to print. The classes were successful
and the assistance he gave the staff was
beneficial too.
 Jackie developed and implemented a 6 week
introduction to computer classes, designed a
brochure on library services and hours, and

8. Projects/duties of 2016 Interns
 Journie was very interested in the marketing of
library books and developed detailed book
displays. She researched and developed a
“Read it before it becomes a Movie”
display and “What Journey Loves to Read”
display.
 Ali headed up a Genealogy Introduction
Workshop for Grades 2-5 and planned chart
your family tree activities.
 Ryley was in charge of STEM activities for
Youth on Saturdays—a special summer

9. Projects/duties of 2016 Interns
 Hailey planned and organized two big Friday
morning Fun Programs: Hula Hoop Games &
Nursery Rhyme Olympics.
 Kolton researched Maker Spaces and
technologies and recommended purchases
which led to several purchases: Makey Makeys,
Squishy Circuits, Goldie Blox, OSMO & more. He
also came up with a PokemonGo Safari walk that
turned out to be our largest Maker Club event
ever.
 When a SRP presenter failed to show, Stephanie
created an alternative program for the children
that was a great success.

10. Projects/duties of 2016 Interns
 Whitney developed two programs for
summer reading to include activities, the
needed materials, posters, and permission
forms and trained three volunteers to assist.
One program used historical materials and
included field trips and interviews around
town. It was a huge success and continued for
several Fridays.
 Caitlin worked with youth programming and
helped with set up, supervision, and running
interactive stations. Caitlin was also a good
role model for our youth volunteers.

11. Projects/duties of 2016 Interns
 Bridget developed a new bi-weekly flyer with
information, quotes, and book selections. She
also developed a new bi-monthly newsletter
for the library.
 Bri created a library and neighborhood
scavenger hunt that tied to books read by
families for our monthly homeschool book
club. Bri learned how to tie fun and
educational activities together and the
attendees benefited from an engaging activity
that our staff would not have had time to

12. Projects/duties of Interns
 Created, Conducted, Assisted, Designed,
Managed, Maintained, Taught, Organized and/or
Updated:
 Assorted Events
 Bulletin Boards
 Crafts, Movie Day, Art class
 Brochures, Flyers
 Volunteer coordination
 Book Displays
 Collection Development
 Review Policies
 Reorganize areas
 Circulation Desk
 Summer Reading
Program
 Story Hour
 Processed new books
 Weed collections
 Organize Genealogy
Camp
 Maker Club
 Youth book discussion

13. Projects/duties – Technology
Area
 Created, Conducted, Assisted, Designed,
Managed, Maintained, Taught, Organized
and/or Updated:
 Video tour of library
 Videoed activities
 Website
 Facebook
 Twitter
 Instagram
 3D Printer instruction
 Computer Classes
 Tablet Assistance
 Instruction video on
OverDrive use
 Layout & Design of
materials
 Digital repository
project

14. The application
Background:
 Reason for
participation
 Underlying need or
opportunity
Effect/Outcomes:
 Anticipated benefits
to student, library,
community
Schedule of activities:
 Projects and
activities intern will
be involved & the
student’s role
 Describe your
preliminary
orientation plan
 Provide tentative
timeline—recruitment,
making an offer & key
milestones with
anticipated activities

15. Application review
considerations
Competitive process/evaluated on following criteria:
 Needs of library
 Described activities and schedule/timeline
 Proposed orientation to library service functions
 Anticipated benefits and outcomes of the internship
 Partnerships or activities with other libraries
 Commitment to meeting grant expectations
Encouraged:
 Partnership projects (with school, academic, public or special
libraries)
 First-time applicants/Applicants not funded in the past

16. http://nowhiringatyourlibra
ry.nebraska.gov/Internship
s.asp
Overview, Goals
Calendar & Deadlines
Eligible Applicants
Grant Amounts
Details Online at:
Eligible Interns/Type of
Internship
Application Process & Form
App Review Considerations
Announcement, Expectations
Additional Info/Tips/Samples
Past Recipients

17. Karen Drevo
Youth Services Librarian
Norfolk Public Library
Insights from a 2016 Library
Participant

18. Sharon Kastanek, Director
Dvoracek Memorial
Library
Wilber
Insights from a 2016 Library
Participant

19. Maggie Petersen
Outreach Specialist
Omaha Public Library (at UNO’s
Community Engagement
Center)
(Interned at the Millard Branch in
Insights from former Grant Intern – Now
Library Employee

20. Laura Treinen
W. Dale Clark
Omaha Public Library
(also interned at W. Dale
Clark)
Insights from former Grant Intern – Now
Library Employee

21. Supervisor feedback
“The need for planning before the intern comes on
board. Outlining the activities and going over them
with the intern at the start and periodically
throughout their time with us was extremely helpful.
Also learning that you need to take some time to
discover the interns hidden talents and "likes".
Getting to know them and making the most of what
they have to offer did alter our original plans a bit,
but worked out way better than we hoped.”
“It’s so nice to have a student that knows how to
work with technology.”

22. Supervisor feedback
“We had been considering switching to a non-
Dewey call number system for a few years now and
had never really been able to do the in depth
research….Our intern was able to do the major
parts and present it in such a way that it was a large
time saver and then she was able to begin the
project, which I doubt we would have been able to
do either anytime soon.”
“This grant allowed the library to provide
programming this summer that involved the whole
community and business in remembering their

23. Supervisor feedback
“I was surprised at how well she fit in. I think all
public libraries could benefit from having a young
person come on board to help out.”
“It was really great to have fresh eyes on our
processes. It will help us with future training of
employees and volunteers.”
“She exceeded my expectations. She was flexible,
energetic, fun-loving, organized, and prepared for
anything.”

24. Intern feedback
“This has been one of the most enjoyable
and valuable experiences I have had thus far.
I am really disappointed that I can not
continue to work here as I am going of to
college. The connections I have made and
the skills I have learned will help me through
out life. I was truly blessed to have had this
opportunity and would like to thank you for
making it possible for me.”

25. Intern feedback
“This was an amazing opportunity for me. It really
gave me a look into the world of libraries and will
definitely help me choose my career path. It also
gave me a renewed respect for libraries and
librarians and all they do for the community.”
“I was extremely grateful to have this opportunity
and really hope that someone gets this opportunity
next year.”

26. Intern feedback
“This was a great experience and I feel much
more prepared to enter the professional world
of librarianship now.”
“I very much enjoyed this library internship.
This is by far my favorite job/internship I have
ever done.”
“This was an excellent experience that allowed
me to actively engage with people from all
sorts of backgrounds and learn about the
internal workings of a library.”

27. 2016 Intern Stats
 26 Libraries Funded – 36 Interns (4 had 2
interns)
 5 male; 31 female
 Expected or current college Major – only 2
indicated library science
 Per Supervisors at Grant Wrap-up:
 52% will not continue at library
 48% will continue on at library
 7 will continue as volunteers
 7 will continue as seasonal, project-specific, or on call
employee

28. Intern thoughts at END of
internship
 How likely will you pursue further education
in the library field?
 21% Not at all or Not too likely
 79% Somewhat or Very likely
 How likely is it that you will apply for a library
job within the next 5 years?
 18% Not too likely
 82% Somewhat or Very likely

29. 2016 Intern Views at END of
internship
I plan to recommend the library as a resource and/or
desirable place to visit more now than I did before the
internship
 0% Negative & Neutral responses
 26% Agree
 74% Strongly Agree
A librarian needs to have a broader range of skills than I
realized before the internship
 6% Disagree
 3% Neither Agree or Disagree
 24% Agree
100 %
Agrees
91% Agrees

30. ?
Questions & Answers

31. JoAnn McManus
Nebraska Library Commission
Grant Program Manager
joann.mcmanus@nebraska.gov
402-471-4870; 800-307-2665 (NE only)
Contact