Public Information and Communication
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
April 30, 2012
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Tessa Terry
402-471-3434
800-307-2665
$27,000 in Internship Grants Awarded to Nebraska Public Libraries
The Nebraska Library Commission and the Nebraska Library Association
recently awarded 21st Century Librarian internship grants
totaling $27,000 to nineteen Nebraska public libraries. These 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 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," said Nebraska Library Commission Director Rod
Wagner. "The Nebraska Library Commission appreciates the renewal of Federal
and foundation support for the internship grants."
Funding for the project is provided through a Laura Bush 21st Century
Librarian Program grant from the federal Institute of Museum and Library
Services (IMLS). Such funding helps the Nebraska Library Commission and the
Nebraska Library Association continue to support the missions and goals of
libraries across Nebraska and statewide efforts to recruit the next
generation of Nebraska's librarians.
Student interns will learn about library work as they shadow and assist
with day-to-day library 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 and Facebook pages,
create young adult library programs and spaces, work on publicity materials
for library programs, sort and preserve archival materials, and assist in a
host of other worthwhile activities.
In 2011, interns brought their technology skills to the forefront, much
to the appreciation of the library staff, library customers, and community:
- One intern helped the library set up its social networking
page. She wrote weekly entries on it also. She was also able to help
patrons set up social networking pages. She enjoyed working with
customers and their computer problems. These customers visited the
library every day she worked at the library.
- Another intern used her tech skills to help the children manipulate
photos of themselves using computer software so they would have
crazy/weird pictures of themselves.
- A third intern headed up an e-reader book discussion for a
group of middle school boys.
The following Nebraska libraries received internship grant funding in
April 2012:
- Arapahoe Public Library
- Bassett, Rock County Public Library
- Blair Public Library
- Chadron Public Library
- Clearwater Public Library
- Howells Public Library
- Lincoln City Libraries
- McCook Public Library
- Norfolk Public Library
- North Platte Public Library
- Omaha Public Library
- Orleans, CB Preston Memorial Library
- Papillion, Sump Memorial Library
- Ponca Carnegie Library
- Randolph, Lied Randolph Public Library
- Rushville Public Library
- Schuyler Public Library
- Scribner Public Library
- Tilden, Raymond A. Whitwer Public Library
As Nebraska's 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 Website,
http://nlc.nebraska.gov/publications/newsreleases.
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 http://nebraskalibraries.org.
The Institute of Museum and Library Services is
the primary source of federal support for the nation’s 123,000 libraries and
17,500 museums. The Institute's mission is to create strong libraries and
museums that connect people to information and ideas. The Institute works at
the national level and in coordination with state and local organizations to
sustain heritage, culture, and knowledge; enhance learning and innovation;
and support professional development. To learn more about the Institute,
please visit http://www.imls.gov.
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