Public Information and Communication
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
June 19, 2010
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Mary Jo Ryan
402-471-3434
800-307-2665
$10,000 in Internship Grants Awarded to Nebraska Public Libraries
The Nebraska Library Association and the Nebraska Library Commission recently awarded Cultivating Nebraska Librarians 2.0: Building 21st Century Skills internship grants totaling $10,000 to twelve 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 renewal of foundation support for the internship grants," said Nebraska
Library Commission Director Rod Wagner. "The internships are a great opportunity
for students to work in libraries, contributing needed help and sharing skills
for a variety of summer and year-round library projects. Benefits abound for all
involved-for the interns, for the libraries, and for the people served by the
participating libraries."
Students will learn about library work as they shadow and assist 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, facilitate book discussion activities, help develop and update library Website/MySpace/Facebook/Blog pages, create young adult library programs and spaces, help design library parade floats, work on publicity materials for library programs, sort and preserve archival materials, and assist in a host of other worthwhile activities.
Scott Childers, Nebraska Library Association President, remarked, "This is a win-win situation for libraries and library users all over the state. Promising students get involved in real library work that takes advantage of their experience and interests. And, libraries receive financial assistance and guidance to provide internship stipends to students."
The following Nebraska libraries received internship grant funding:
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Arapahoe Public Library
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Bassett, Rock County Public Library
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Battle Creek Public Library
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Blair Public Library
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Emerson Public Library
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Lexington Public Library
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Norfolk Public Library
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Papillion, Sump Memorial Library
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Schuyler Public Library
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South Sioux City Public Library
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Stromsburg Public Library
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Weeping Water Public Library
Funding for the project was provided through the generosity of a Nebraska charitable foundation that wishes to remain anonymous. Such funding helps the Nebraska Library Association and the Nebraska Library Commission continue to support the missions and goals of libraries across Nebraska and statewide efforts to recruit the next generation of Nebraska's librarians.
The Nebraska Library Association is the cornerstone of the Nebraska library community. The Association advocates for its members, enriches their professional lives, advances the lifelong learning of all Nebraskans, and promotes all library interests in Nebraska. For more information, visit
www.nebraskalibraries.org.
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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.