The Nebraska Library Commission and the Nebraska Library Association recently awarded 21st Century Librarian internship grants totaling $32,000 to twenty-one 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 offer valuable work and learning experiences for the interns and helpful assistance to the participating libraries. We thank the participating libraries for their contributions to the internship program and we wish this year’s group of interns the very best for great and worthwhile experiences,” said Nebraska Library Commission Director Rod Wagner.

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), administered through the Nebraska Library Commission. 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 2013, interns brought their technology skills to the forefront, much to the appreciation of the library staff, library customers, and their communities:

    ·        One intern completed videos of summer reading activities as a promotional tool.
   
    ·        Another intern created an instructional video on Overdrive (downloadable eBook and audio book collections) use, and added to the website.

    ·        A third intern started a library Facebook page.

Said one intern: “I learned that librarians need to have very extensive knowledge regarding the operations of computers and their programs. It was very surprising, but I can see how necessary this knowledge is now that books, journals and magazines are becoming digitized.”

The following Nebraska libraries received internship grant funding in March 2014:
    ·        Atkinson Public Library
    ·        Bassett, Rock County Public Library
    ·        Cozad Public Library
    ·        Emerson Public Library
    ·        Grand Island Public Library
    ·        Grant, Hastings Memorial Library
    ·        Howells Public Library
    ·        Kimball Public Library
    ·        La Vista Public Library
    ·        Lincoln City Libraries
    ·        McCook Public Library
    ·        Neligh Public Library
    ·        Norfolk Public Library
    ·        North Bend Public Library
    ·        Omaha Public Library
    ·        Papillion, Sump Memorial Library    
    ·        Ponca Carnegie Library
    ·        Schuyler Public Library
    ·        Shelby Public Library
    ·        Valparaiso Public Library
    ·        Verdigre Public Library

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. For more information, visit http://nlc.nebraska.gov/.

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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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.