Sometimes, you just have to start somewhere. Begin. Ask a question. Write the first sentence. Maybe it’ll lead somewhere, perhaps someplace you didn’t expect. It’s that time in the semester when we have projects, papers, and various other assignments due, and for some reason professors want them all turned in on the same day. We don’t know where to begin. We don’t know where to look. We may not even know what questions to ask or who to ask. We just have to start somewhere.
These have been the themes of my semester: starting, exploring, and learning. All are integral parts of the Centennial Library internship. I walked into this internship with an open mind and a little background knowledge based on my experiences and observations. I’ve learned a lot about my interests and strengths while exploring how the library functions. This has been said before, but I’ll say it again: there is so much more to the library than what the average student sees. From cataloging to budgeting to analyzing survey data, the separate functions within the library work together in order to best serve students, faculty, staff, and community members.
This fall, I’ve been able to work with nearly all of the librarians at Centennial Library at some point throughout the semester. I’ve listened to them discuss their unique responsibilities and what
initially drew them to a career as a librarian. Each librarian has a story and a perspective to share. Why work in a library? Why is the library necessary? The internship is a place to start learning about libraries and exploring these questions. I can’t think of a better place than the library for this type of exploration and inquiry. Librarians love questions. Don’t believe me? Go up to the research desk and ask for help with a paper or project. Ask for directions. Ask them why they became librarians. From my perspective, these individuals go the extra mile when it comes to service and inquiry.
I’ve been able to try my hand at some of the different tasks, learning more about myself and how a library functions. I’ve learned that cataloging is not among my interests or strengths, but I love teaching research skills to underclassmen through instruction sessions. Typically, these sessions focus on general research methods and tips that are applicable to a specific research assignment. I’m sure quite a few of you reading this have attended one. My research session introduced a freshmen Composition class to the basics of research methods and the library’s research tools and resources. The students were allowed to choose their own topics but had to compare and contrast viewpoints. Some of the students had not had much experience with research, so I gave a few assignment-specific suggestions, including using different and multiple search terms. I never expected that I would enjoy teaching a class. Yes, it’s a classic cliché: “I will never do this” turns into “Maybe I can do this.”
For me, the Library Careers dinner was what helped draw me to this internship, and I’m glad that I pursued that interest. If you have any interest in libraries or the internship, I highly recommend that you go to the dinner this semester. Ask questions. Explore the possibilities. If you pursue the internship, you will not regret your decision. The interactions I’ve had with the librarians and the projects I’ve completed have helped me define my strengths and interests, and those experiences are invaluable.
Centennial Library Intern Allison Jensen is an English major from Princeton, Illinois. She is also a Centennial Library Collection Services student assistant.
Tags: cedarville, library internship
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