Fortenbaugh Reference Internship

Esther Kenyon Fortenbaugh Internship

Reference & Instruction Department - Musselman Library

Spring Semester 2010

The Reference & Instruction Department of Musselman Library invites Gettysburg College students to submit applications for the spring semester Esther Kenyon Fortenbaugh Internship in Reference & Instruction. The internship is open to students in any major and offers an opportunity to learn firsthand about reference librarianship. Students considering a career in librarianship or information science are encouraged to apply. If you love information and helping people find exactly what they need, this could be the internship for you!

The Reference & Instruction Department participates in a range of activities and services. We are available for research consultation with students and other patrons at the Reference Desk. We work with faculty members to design and deliver custom information fluency instruction sessions. We manage the print and online reference collections, including selection of materials. We maintain the library's website and develop webpages to assist with research. We also coordinate various outreach programs for the library.

The Fortenbaugh Reference Intern will work 6-8 hours per week while classes are in session. The internship carries a stipend of $8.00 per hour (6-8 hours/week, 14 weeks). After a training period, the intern will work 4-6 hours per week at the main Reference Desk and participate in collection management activities. In addition, other projects will be assigned based on the interests of the intern and the current needs of the department. For example, the intern might design a special program for students (ex: extreme finals study night), help librarians prepare information fluency instruction sessions for specific courses, assist with a library exhibit, or develop a specific subject area of the reference collection.

To apply, submit a letter indicating your interest in the position, your education and/or career goals, any relevant courses, and the names and contact information for 2-3 references (references should be faculty members who can tell us about you and your work in the classroom, and/or your supervisor in a campus job or other relevant job). Please be specific about why you would like to be an intern in the Reference & Instruction department. Students expressing an interest in a career in librarianship will be given priority.

Application deadline is 5:00pm on Monday, November 9, 2009. Send application materials to: Jessica Howard, Reference & Web Services Librarian, Musselman Library, Box 420.

Have questions? We'd love to chat with you about the internship. Drop by the office (room 102, main floor, Musselman Library) or email Jessica Howard at jhoward@gettysburg.edu.