NCompass Live - Nov. 4, 2015 http://nlc.nebraska.gov/ncompasslive/ The Nebraska Library Commission will make up to $25,000 available in internship grants to accredited Nebraska public libraries through the 2016 Nebraska Library Internship Grant Program. Similar to internship grant funding provided from 2008 to 2014, this internship program works to introduce high school and college students to the varied and exciting work of Nebraska Libraries. The internships are intended to function as a recruitment tool in helping the student to view the library as a viable career opportunity while providing the public library with the finances (up to $1,000 per library or branch) to provide stipends to the student(s). In the past student interns have helps libraries expand programs, complete projects, improve websites, and expand social media use, while bringing in fresh ideas to the library. Grant applications will be accepted electronically between October 23 and December 17, 2015. In this November 4, 2015 NCompass Live session, past participating libraries, as well as a former intern, will share their experiences with the 2014 internship program—including successes and lessons learned. This session will also introduce the upcoming 2016 grant opportunity for internships, offered by the Nebraska Library Commission in partnership with Nebraska’s Regional Library Systems and supported in part by the Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act as administered by the Nebraska Library Commission. Presenters: JoAnn McManus, Internship Grant Program Manager and Mary Jo Ryan, Communications Coordinator both with the Nebraska Library Commission; Laurie Yocom, Wilson Public Library (Cozad); Rose Barcal, La Vista Public Library; Laura Alt, Shelby Community Library; and Amy Wenzl, Omaha Public Library (former grant intern at Sump Memorial Library, Papillion).

1. Nebraska Library Commission
Nebraska Regional Library Systems
Funded through Library Services and
Technology Act, Institute of Museum and
Library Services
2016 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)
 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 volunteers

4. Introduction—Dates &
Deadlines
 Deadline for applications: 5:00 p.m., Central
Time, December 17, 2015
 Award announcement: February 8, 2016
 The Secret to Successful Internships Webinar:
February 17, 2016
(if applying, put this on your calendar)
 Internship Window – No earlier than March 15,
2016 & Wrapped up by November 30, 2016

5. Expectations of Library
 Library staff recruits and selects their intern(s)
 Library staff provides 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 and community
 Track intern’s hours and activities
 Complete assessments and report in a timely manner
 Submit form attesting to how grant funds were
expended (only for stipend contracts, wages and if
applicable, for withholdings/taxes)

6. Projects/duties of Past Interns
 Created, Conducted, Assisted, Designed,
Managed, Maintained, Taught, Organized and/or
Updated:
 Book Sales/assorted events
 Bulletin Boards
 Crafts, Movie Day, Art class,
 Brochures, Flyers
 Helped in a move
 Book Displays
 Collection Development
 Review Policies
 Solicit donations for programming
 Circulation Desk
 Summer Reading
Program
 Story Hour
 Processed new books
 Weed collections
 Prototypes of
experiments
 Youth book discussion
group

7. 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
 Computer Classes
 Tablet Classes
 Instruction video on
OverDrive use
 Layout & Design of
electronic & hardcopy
materials

8. 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

9. Application review
considerations
Competitive process/evaluated on following criteria:
 Needs of library
 Described schedule of activities
 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

10. 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

11. Laurie Yocom
Wilson Public Library
Cozad
Insights from Past Participating
Libraries

12. Rose Barcal
La Vista Public Library
Insights from Past Participating
Libraries

13. Laura Alt
Shelby Community Library
Insights from Past Participating
Libraries

14. Amy Wenzl
Former Intern, Sump Memorial
Library
Now Youth Services Librarian,
Millard Branch, Omaha Public
Library
Insights from Former Intern

15. ?
Questions & Answers

16. Supervisor feedback
“Besides the extra help, the mentoring part of the
experience has been valuable both to the intern
and me. The internship has allowed us to provide a
high school student with real-world work
experience, which in a rural community like ours is
not a common occurrence. It has also allowed me
to share the profession I love with a student who
may potentially want to enter the library profession
herself someday. I would recommend the intern
program to any library. It has proven to be a very
rewarding experience for everyone involved.”

17. Supervisor feedback
 “After last year’s internship, the community
became aware of the program and we found that
we had the opportunity to apply for funding from
our local community foundation to add a second
internship.”
 “He assisted at many of the programs and
interacted with the public constantly. He was an
excellent ambassador for the library.”
 “PLANNING makes all the difference. The
detailed calendar was extremely useful. It kept us
on track.”

18. Intern feedback
 “I learned that librarians do so much more than
just check in and out books and movies. They
organize, plan things for their community, and
genuinely care about people. To be a librarian
requires more than just being able to alphabetize
books. It requires patience, intelligence, and
intellect.”
 “I very much enjoyed learning all about the jobs of
the library. Librarians have so many jobs and
responsibilities that the public doesn't know
about.”

19. Intern feedback
 “I learned so much that will help me in the future.
I learned that being a librarian is harder work than
it may appear. You have to be mentally strong to
be able to remember so many things, multi task
on a major level, and keep your calm with difficult
patrons. There is also so much that goes on
behind the scenes to keep the library functioning.”
 “Librarians aren't quiet and shy, or old and mean
like they're portrayed in movies. They are very
good with people.”

20. Intern feedback
 “I learned that a librarian needs to be resourceful.
S/he has to be aware of all the services available
to the public in order to attend to all the
customers. A librarian is patient and friendly as
well. We meet people from all walks of life on
daily basis, so listen carefully to their needs and
offer the help that leads to successful customer
service.”
 “I see that a library is very much like a book
you can't judge it by its cover.”

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