ODU undergraduate students who are interested in careers in library and information studies were invited to apply for the Future Information Professionals Internship program for the 2022-34 and 2023-24 academic years. Twelve students were selected each semester, 24 interns total. The internship paid $4000, distributed across the academic year. During the fall semesters our interns learned about the profession through activities such as visiting local libraries, attending an informational session to learn more about working in libraries, participating in ePortfolio and resume workshops, and attending a session on Tips for Applying to Graduate School. They were paired with a coach who is a current ODU graduate student who supported them throughout the year. In the spring semester they worked 8-10 hours per week in the ODU Libraries, assisting with day-to-day functions and completing a project of their choosing. They attended a professional conference: the Virginia Library Association Conference in 2022 and the LibLearnX conference in Baltimore, MD in 2024. This program prioritized BIPOC (black, indigenous, and people of color) students and students who are members of other marginalized groups.
This program is funded by the Institute of Museum and Library Services, Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian Grant. The accepted proposal can be viewed on the agency website.
Project Investigators: PI: Lucy Wittkower, lrush@odu.edu, Co PI: Sue Kimmel, skimmel@odu.edu, Co PI: Leanne Hillery, lhillery@odu.edu
