Library Internship Application [PDF]

An internship is an individualized training program that combines learning new library skills outside the classroom and the demonstration of those skills according to a planned schedule of activities. An intern works with an advisor selected for the purpose to develop a practical training program on a particular aspect of public librarianship.

2. What is an internship designed to do?

The purpose of internship training is to increase the knowledge and skills of library staff members, to upgrade their skills in a specific area of library service, or to provide the education and training necessary to initiate a new project, publication or service in the home library. An internship may prepare an employee for future job responsibilities. When internship plans have been reviewed and approved in advance by the Library of Michigan, they can be used to obtain certification credits.

In Michigan, an individual completing a 32-hour internship can qualify for renewal of a Level VII Certificate of Library Experience.

3. What are some examples of internship programs?

A library staff member who as a normal responsibility handles reference questions may plan an internship on advanced reference skills or in a specialized area of reference - such as learning business or medical reference tools. The intern who regularly handles the circulation desk may wish to plan an internship on basic children's services skills. Another example might be the library director in the "one-person library" who wants to expand his or her knowledge in the area of public relations. This person might plan an internship that includes visits to several neighboring libraries to see different types of public relations activities in each one.

In each example, the internship is designed to increase the knowledge and skill of an employee in a particular area of library service. It should provide practical training which the intern can use immediately, either in initiating a new service or activity in the home library, or in preparing for future job responsibilities.

4. Who is eligible for an internship?

Any person who has met the initial requirements for a Level VII Certificate of Library Experience is eligible. Any other library staff member, or anyone holding a Level I through Level VI Certificate, may also take an internship. Since certificates for these levels are permanent, the internship experience is not necessary for certification in such cases.

5. Who is the advisor?

The advisor, or mentor, is critical to the success of this type of learning experience. The internship advisor should have experience in the area of interest, should have an academic degree in library or information science, and should be willing to serve as a guide to the intern.

Advisors work with interns to develop clear and specific training plans that meet the needs of the interns. Advisors conduct training themselves or supervise the training provided by other members of the staff. Advisors provide consultation to the interns whenever necessary.

In some instances, the advisor selected may not be a professional librarian but could be an independent consultant, trainer, or expert in the topic selected for the internship.

6. When can an internship be taken?

An internship may be taken at any time during the three-year certification period, but it is best to complete the internship well before the expiration of the current certification period.

7. What are the advantages of taking an internship?

Internship training can be customized to meet a library staff member's unique requirements regarding time, travel, and interests. An internship allows a public library employee to complete recertification requirements when the opportunity to obtain college credits or to attend library workshops is unavailable. An internship enables the participant to benefit from the insights of a librarian who is professionally trained and experienced in some specialty of interest. An internship can also foster closer cooperation between staff members of neighboring libraries.

8. Where can an internship be done?

Depending upon its nature, an internship can be conducted at the advisor's library, at the cooperative headquarters, a school media center, a local business or civil organization, or some other appropriate training site. Training at larger libraries is recommended. In some situations, the advisor and the intern may conduct some aspects of the internship training in the intern's home library. This may have to be scheduled outside the intern's normal working hours.

9. How is an internship planned?

Planning for an internship begins when a library staff member and the library director discuss the needs of that staff member for future education and training. In some libraries, where the director is the intern, the board of trustees may need to be involved.

The internship should be planned so that it prepares the intern for future job responsibilities. It should relate to the needs of the library as a whole and to the needs of the intern in particular. The internship should be a step in the logical progression of continuing education for the employee. Previous internships or education will be a factor in planning.

When the topic for the internship has been decided, the intern (or the director) should contact the Continuing Education Specialist at the Library of Michigan. If an advisor has not already been selected, the specialist may suggest one who will work with the intern to develop a plan to provide training on the topic selected.

The times, location, duration, and nature of the individual's internship are a matter of negotiation between the intern and the advisor. If necessary, the director or intern's supervisor may be part of this planning team. The final plan for the internship should be confirmed in writing, with copies provided to the intern, the advisor, and to the intern's supervisor, if necessary.

10. Are there other people who should be contacted when planning an internship?

Staff members should work with their library directors during the planning period to be sure that the internship will meet the short-range or long-range goals of the library, as well as the certification needs of the applicant.

Library directors who are themselves planning an internship may wish to work with their cooperative director or with a member of the cooperative staff in selecting an advisor and in planning the internship. The Library Board should be kept informed of the progress of any internships, especially as they relate to the library's need to meet minimum requirements for certified personnel. The cooperative director may also have information regarding assistance from the cooperative for internships for employees of member libraries. Some cooperatives have internship policies for employees of their member libraries.

11. How does an internship plan get approved?

The Continuing Education Specialist at the Library of Michigan will provide an application form to the intern upon request. The complete internship plan is summarized on this form. It should be signed by the applicant and the advisor. The completed form is sent to the Continuing Education Specialist for approval of the program and the training time allotted. The specialist may make some suggestions for improving the training plan of the intern.

Written approval will be given within two weeks of receipt of the application at the Certification Office at the Library of Michigan. The internships can begin immediately following that approval.

12. After plan approval, how does the internship begin?

Once the internship training begins, the intern and the advisor should maintain close contact to be sure that the plan of the internship is being followed. The training objectives should be met according to the approved schedule. When the internship is completed, both the advisor and the intern will write a brief evaluation of the internship on forms provided by the Continuing Education Specialist at the Library of Michigan. These forms are then returned to the specialist at the Library of Michigan, who authorizes the appropriate CEU credit.

13. How much time is spent in an internship?

The time needed depends on several factors. In some cases, one 32-hour internship can be planned to meet certification requirements. In other cases two or more shorter, unrelated internships, each dealing with separate topics, could be planned so that their hours taken together provide a total of 32 hours of training. Applicants for recertification who have taken workshops and received CEU credits from them, may plan an internship for only the number of hours of training they still need to meet the 32-hour (or 3.2 CEU) training requirement.

14. What type of work is excluded from consideration for internship credit?

The subject studied during an internship should not be the usual work of the applicant. That is to say, the internship is not intended to be an excuse to perform work that is already being done or should be done in the library by that employee. Neither should the intern be a substitute for regular staff in the advisor's library.

In calculating the number of training hours for the internship program, remember that travel time, meal times, and the time required to plan the internship itself are not to be counted as part of the internship schedule. If the intern is required to read workbooks or textbooks, this time is not to be counted as part of the internship. In general, training time should be considered as those hours when the intern and the advisor work together to teach and understand the various aspects of the topic.

15. What does an internship cost?

No costs are involved, unless the sponsoring library or cooperative chooses to reimburse the intern or the advisor for expenses. Such reimbursement is a local policy of the individual libraries or cooperatives concerned.

The Library of Michigan charges no fee for planning internships, processing applications, or awarding credit for recertification.

16. How many internships can be taken and how often?

An internship on any one topic should not be taken more than once. Those achieving beginning skills in a new field could, of course, schedule another internship in the future which would provide intermediate or advanced training on the same topic in the future.

17. What services can the Continuing Education Specialist provide?

The specialist can assist in the selection of a topic, selection of an advisor, and planning the program. The Specialist can also suggest ways to complete the internship and develop a training schedule.

Internship applications are available from the Certification Office at the Library of Michigan.

18. What if the internship cannot be completed?

Notify the Continuing Education Specialist at the Library of Michigan as soon as possible if circumstances change. Usually an internship must be completed according to the approved plan before CEUs can be awarded, but special consideration may be given to accommodate an emergency or crisis situation.

19. After the internship...then what?

If the internship provided 32 or more hours of approved training and the evaluation forms from the advisor and intern have been received by the Library of Michigan's Continuing Education Specialist, the certificate of completion will be sent to the intern. This certificate is proof of attendance and can be used toward the renewal of the Level VII Certificate of Library Experience.

If the time spent in the internship is less than 32 hours, a certificate of completion awarding the applicant the appropriate number of contact hours for the internship will be issued by the Library of Michigan's Certification Office. This is the intern's official record and should be retained by that individual. The intern will attach a copy of this certificate to a request for renewal of the Certificate of Library Experience when a total of 32 hours of training has been completed and the certificate is due for renewal.

Certified staff should plan their continuing education activities so that the total of CEU credits will be 3.2 (32 hours) before the expiration date of their current personnel certificate.

Library Internship Application [PDF]