To help build the capacity of a diverse, skilled workforce within the Idaho library community, the Idaho Commission for Libraries has provided $1,000 grants to eight public libraries to support an intern during the summer of 2021.
The public libraries participating in the summer intern grant are: Cascade Public Library, Challis Public Library, Donnelly Library District, Emmett Public Library, McCall Public Library, Middleton Public Library, Mountain Home Public Library, and Valley of the Tetons District Library, Victor.
While working in the library, the intern will develop and deepen their workplace skills, learn about library management and operations, and be exposed to a viable career opportunity.
The library staff will expand their workforce development capacity and possibly attract future members of the profession through their hands-on mentorship with the intern and the time they devote to the intern’s growth and professional development.
Some of the plans the libraries have for their intern include: assisting with a book bike mobile library service; leading the summer reading program; updating the library’s website and branding; planning programs; helping to increase awareness of library services among underserved citizens; and working with Makerspaces, which includes creative problem solving and coding.
We are excited to offer the summer internship grant again this year as another way to help build the future workforce of Idaho’s libraries. This profession is often viewed as it was 50 years ago, not as the dynamic, vital, community resource that a library worker is today — particularly in small areas where the library is truly the hub of the community. We want to show the next generation what library work is all about and the many ways library workers educate, excite, and engage with their communities.
