Here's how you can gain industry insight through internships in Library Services.

Whether one is a student exploring potential career paths or a professional looking to make a career change, internships in library services can be a valuable stepping stone towards a fulfilling and rewarding career in the field of library science. By gaining practical experience, developing relevant skills, and networking with professionals, interns can enhance their understanding of the library services sector and position themselves for success in their careers.

As an alternative to internships, volunteering gives interested parties the opportunity to learn the ins and outs of the library. Volunteering is ideal not just for students, but for anyone with a flexible schedule. While volunteering opportunities at the library are unpaid, they provide valuable experience nonetheless.

The beauty of participating in an internship is that it delivers real-world experience. Library school students or undergrads who begin an internship almost always work out a list of assigned tasks and expected outcomes. This may be digitizing an archival collection, developing exhibits, or assisting with library programs. By doing an internship, you will learn about the behind-the-scenes activities necessary to complete a project, perform tasks, and develop programs successfully. Theory is great, but for those who want to work for a library, having an in-person experience to add to your resume and to learn from is more valuable than sitting in a classroom. Becoming proficient in cataloging items is more practical than knowing the theory.

When you begin an internship, you will work with library professionals who can guide, supervise, and explain practical applications of completing a project within the framework of how a library operates. Your mentor and others you interact with will see your skills, witness your professional growth, and help you build contacts within the profession. Graduating with a degree in library science or another field is a great accomplishment. Doing so with no network or familiarity with real-world libraries leaves you at a disadvantage. Participating in an internship gives you excellent experience. Part of that experience almost always involves learning how to establish your professional presence in the field and built your network.

The best internship experiences may happen in an area of a library or at multiple service points in a single library branch, but they almost always have much broader applicability to the profession. These experiences should also provide you an opportunity to see how the work you've done during your internship applies to similar libraries or service areas. For example, if you are involved in digital archiving with a collection at a public library, perhaps the internship supervising librarian can schedule a "learning journey" to other nearby libraries so you can see the technical services functions at those locations. Part of that experience may also allow you to build your network by meeting others who also do the same tasks.