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Nebraska Library Commission Website

Public Information and Communication

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
June 29, 2009

FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Mary Jo Ryan
402-471-3434
800-307-2665

Nebraska Library Association and the Nebraska Library Commission Support Interns in Public Libraries across Nebraska

The Nebraska Library Association and the Nebraska Library Commission recently awarded Cultivating Nebraska Librarians 2.0: Building 21st Century Skills Internship grants to ten Nebraska public libraries. These student Internship grants will support public library interns, who will contribute to the scope and value of the diverse programs and activities in Nebraska's public libraries.

"The Nebraska Library Commission appreciates the foundation support that has made possible the library internships, internships that offer a service and learning opportunity beneficial to the interns and their library workplace," said Nebraska Library Commission Director Rod Wagner. "I thank the Nebraska Library Association for its help and support in making the 2009 summer library internship program possible."

Students will learn about library work as they help with day-to-day operations and implement special projects. Interns will lead Youth Summer Reading Program activities, conduct training sessions to teach senior citizens to use technology, help facilitate One Book One Nebraska book discussion activities featuring A Lantern in Her Hand by Bess Streeter Aldrich, help develop and update library Website/MySpace/Facebook/Blog pages, create young adult library programs and spaces, help develop library parade floats, work on publicity materials for library programs, sort and preserve archival materials, and assist in a host of other worthwhile activities.

Pam Bohmfalk, Nebraska Library Association (NLA) President, remarked, "This is a real win-win opportunity for library users all over the state - public libraries that are just keeping up with demands for services will have some extra hands to help and the interns will bring fresh perspectives and new ideas to the libraries they serve. LA certainly appreciates the private foundation that made this program a reality this summer."

The following Nebraska libraries received Internship funding:

Ainsworth Library Foundation

Atkinson Public Library

Bassett, Rock County Public Library

Blair Public Library

Lincoln City Libraries

Orleans, C.B. Preston Memorial Library

Ponca Carnegie Library

Schuyler Public Library

Ulysses Township Library

Verdigre Public Library

Funding for the projects was provided through the generosity of a Nebraska charitable foundation that wishes to remain anonymous. For more information about the projects, contact Mary Jo Ryan, Nebraska Library Commission Communications Coordinator, 402-471-3434, 800-307-2665.

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The Nebraska Library Association, a 501c(3) charitable organization, supports and promotes all libraries, library media centers and library services in the state. Its foremost concerns are the professional development of its members, library advocacy, and open access to information for all citizens.

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As the state library agency, the Nebraska Library Commission is an advocate for the library and information needs of all Nebraskans. The mission of the Library Commission is statewide promotion, development, and coordination of library and information services, bringing together people and information. The most up-to-date news releases from the Nebraska Library Commission are always available on the Library Commission home page, nlc.nebraska.gov, search on News Releases

For more information, contact Tessa Terry.