ILS Internship

ILS 582 Internship in Library and Information Science

A professional field experience (internship) is central to the program for all students. For those without experience working in a library, it provides a well-rounded background that can add value to a résumé. Students with experience are strongly advised to seek an internship that will broaden their knowledge, such as a different type of library or a specialized unit of a library. Students seeking experience in technology-driven areas such as digital librarianship are advised to complete appropriate electives (as suggested by academic advisor) prior to beginning an internship.

The internship provides experiential learning that contributes to creating and strengthening the “serving to learn and learning to serve” ethic and reflects the core responsibilities of the library and information science professions (ALA Code of Ethics, 2008). Internships as academic service learning provide experiences that are intentional in their purpose to mutually benefit the provider and the recipient of the service, as well as to ensure equal focus on both the service being provided and the learning that is occurring.

The goal of the ILS Internship program is to provide a rich, research based learning experience for MLIS degree students that links theory to practice, promotes ethical development as professionals, as well as ensuring hands-on experience in libraries and information agencies.

Please refer to the following Internship related documents:

ILS 582 Course Overview

ILS 582 Internship Guidelines

ILS 582 Internship Application

ILS 582 Internship Site Application

Internship Experience

Lauren Johnson's Fall 2018 at Yale University Library

Questions about the internship program, either from students or organizations that wish to host MLIS students, may be directed to the MLIS Internship Coordinator, Dr. Brian Real at realb1@southernct.edu.

The ILS Department is grateful to the following libraries for their ongoing participation in our newly developed internship program.

Public Libraries

Bristol Public Library – Bristol, CT

Cheshire Public Library – Cheshire, CT

Farmington Public Library – Farmington, CT

Ferguson Library – Stamford, CT

James Blackstone Memorial Library – Branford, CT

Manchester Public Library – Manchester, CT

Meriden Public Library – Meriden, CT

New Haven Free Public Library – New Haven, CT

Torrington Public Library – Torrington, CT

Wallingford Public Library – Wallingford, CT