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Why Host a Field Placement Library Student? Why Not!
by Elisabeth Filar Williams
As a library graduate student, I discovered the benefits of interning in a library setting. My "mentor" from my field placement at the National Geographic Society's map library generously took time to teach me the ropes before I entered my professional career. As a professional academic map librarian, now it is my turn to return the favor; I have recently accepted a library field placement student. Many of my colleagues ask, "Why?" -- why take time out of a busy, tenure-track schedule to host a field placement student? Here are four of the many benefits I have found to supervising and hosting an intern: mentoring, learning, research, and cheap labor.
Mentoring
I was largely drawn to the idea of hosting an intern because of the opportunity to be a mentor. Now that I am working in the field, I realize how beneficial my mentor was to me. I would like to return the favor by mentoring a library student. There are many choices for a library science career, and, by hosting a field placement student in my academic map library, I am able to show one possible career opportunity to a new recruit.
More importantly for the student, I am able to "show them the ropes" of the job. Students can gain practical experience after studying their more theoretical library science curriculum. As a library supervisor, I can provide invaluable practical experience to a student, so he or she will be adequately prepared to take on a library career. Adequate preparation improves the retention of quality library graduates in a professional setting. I also feel I am contributing to the professional development of future colleagues.
Learning
Learning is also a benefit of hosting a field placement student. These students are currently in school, reading the latest research theories and methods, working on intriguing and stimulating projects in classes, studying under well-known information science professors, and immersed in a learning environment. It may have been years since some of us were in this type of a learning environment. Hearing about the latest news, research, and technology from a current student may help a library supervisor get back into the cutting edge of the library field. It's easy for working librarians to fall into a routine or habit: "We do this because we always did it this way." Interns may provide a fresh perspective and insight on new and better ways to accomplish the same tasks.
While I showed my intern around the library and explained our processes, she questioned many routine work and organizational structures we had in place. Many of these legitimate questions made me stop and think, "Why?" As I heard as a student: "You show you understand when you can teach another." The mentored becomes the mentor.
Research
Research is another benefit of hosting a library field placement student. Most students have to complete a major project while interning in a library. (My student had to work on a research project at least 25% of her time.) This project could focus on a topic the librarian had wanted to research but didn't have the time to do. A student with quality skills and drive may take this on, both for the required field placement project and to benefit the library.
In my map library, for example, we have needed to investigate off- site map storage, especially the off-site storage aspects of cataloging, preservation, and acquisitions. My intern has chosen this topic for her project. Not only is the library benefiting, but also I have one less research project and have a qualified student to complete this task. Her research findings may also lead me to pursue this issue of off-site map storage further and could benefit my own research or provide background for an article on the subject.
Cheap Labor
Librarians most commonly host students as "cheap labor." Although this was not something that initially occurred to me, I can now see these benefits. Library school interns can offer free, quality labor. They are generally enthusiastic, knowledgeable, and dedicated workers who want to learn. Map libraries are always short-staffed, and even the most tedious task can be a beneficial learning experience for an intern. Interns can help you with many aspects of your job, giving you time to pursue other tasks while they learn from the experience.
Recruiting New Professionals
Reference service in a map library is more like teaching than general reference service. You must work with patrons and teach them, so they fully understand how to get the cartographic material they really want. Naturally, we have become teachers in the field of map librarianship. Our role, therefore, should be to carry on by teaching future map librarians -- and teaching them to do the same.
Most library schools do not offer classes in map librarianship, or may only include a section on the subject in a broader course. Some may only offer a course every few years -- most likely before and after you graduate! Hence, recruiting and training map librarians may be the important role a professional map librarian must play.
I encourage all information professionals to seek the challenge and enjoy the benefits of hosting a field placement student. The satisfaction of mentoring and recruiting a new librarian to the field far outweighs any cons. Not only are you mentoring a possible future colleague, but you will also learn from these new recruits.
Elisabeth Filar Williams has an undergraduate degree in Geography/GIS from Johns Hopkins University and an MLS from the University of Maryland. She has been the Map/GIS Librarian at the University of Colorado, Boulder for over two years and recently hosted a field placement student for 6 weeks. Both of them had a wonderful experience! Please check out her Map Library web site: http://www-libraries.colorado.edu/ps/map/frontpage.htm.