Academic Library Internship Program

Purpose:

The internships are intended to:

• provide experience to new graduates interested in exploring a career in academic libraries
• provide an opportunity to discover the multitude of opportunities within an academic library setting
• create mentoring and networking opportunities for new graduates as well as provide for professional development and training

Description:

The University of Alberta Libraries Academic Internship Program was established in 2000. The internship appointment is for a one-year term. Four appointments are made each year. Appointments are made on a July 1 – June 30 basis. Qualified applicants must have graduated from an accredited Canadian library school program in the previous two years and commit to a one- year contract appointment in the University of Alberta Libraries.

Successful candidates assume a variety of assignments appropriate for an introductory appointment. Assignments include reference and collections work and instructional opportunities. They also include projects such as usability studies, web instruction, and digital projects. Assignments can be system-wide or located in any library unit or department, depending upon system needs and the skills, abilities and interests of the successful candidates.

Criteria for selection include an enthusiastic service attitude, excellent communication skills and the ability to adapt to change and a variety of clients. Candidates must also possess superior information management skills. French language working ability is an asset.

Source of the Idea/Practice: Internal

Implementation Date: 2000

Annual Costs: $155,000 (est.) in 2001/02

Funded by: Library

Results:

One cohort of interns (5 interns in 2000/01) has been through the program to date. Exit interviews indicated that the program had fulfilled its stated purposes. The majority of interns have found permanent positions in libraries, although not necessarily academic libraries. All of the interns expressed an interest in working in academic libraries but the job market has not recovered to the extent to make this possible.

The mentorship component of the program is currently under revision with another model of mentorship under consideration for 2001/02. Recruitment for the 2001/2002 program is underway with over 20 applications received from new library school graduates across the country.

Other comments, creative ideas, concerns:

The demographics of the professional librarian group at the University of Alberta mirror those in academic libraries across North America – 51% of the professional staff falls within the 50-60 year age group, and 79% within the 45-60 year age group. We expect a massive number of retirements over the next 5 to 15 years and the speed of this change will have a profound impact upon the Library’s service capabilities, including access to collections.

At the same time our staffing budget has not recovered to the point that we can move into active recruitment mode. Essentially, we expect that we will have to wait for positions to become vacant before filling them.

The internship program recognizes the need to promote renewal amongst the professional staffing complement while acknowledging that we cannot fill positions on a permanent basis. It adds newness – of ideas, perspectives, viewpoints – while also allowing new graduates the opportunity to acquire skills in practice and professional training, build a network, engage in mentoring relationships and understand and explore the advantages and opportunities of working in the academic library setting. We want to interest and engage a group of exceptional new graduates in our institution. We fully expect that we will reap the benefits of this in the future.

Submitted by: Kathleen De Long
Associate Director (Finance and Human Resources)
University of Alberta Libraries
(780) 492-7675
(780) 492-8302 (fax)
kathleen.delong@ualberta.ca