2020 Poster Sessions
Leading Libraries Forward with PLA’s Inclusive Internship Initiative

 

Intended Audience

Public Libraries, Pre-Service Librarians & Library School Students, Community Engagement & Programming Departments
 

Poster Summary and Objectives

The Public Library Association (PLA), a division of the American Library Association (ALA), offered an Inclusive Internship Initiative (III), as a way to introduce students from diverse backgrounds to librarianship while building critical skills. The St. Johns County Public Library System was selected for the 2019 cohort and joined 50 other libraries from 28 states in hosting interns from diverse backgrounds.

This poster will discuss the value of engaging teen interns from local communities with project-based learning focused on the programs, people and priorities of their local public library. Presenter will be prepared to reflect on III in the context of her own professional development, as well as within the broader library environment, encouraging other Florida public libraries to apply for the III grant. The application to host an intern over summer 2020 will open in January.

This program is supported by the Institute of Museum and Library Services grant RE-00-17-0129-17.

 

Presenter

Heather Sostrom- St. Johns County Public Library System

  • Presenter wrote the grant for selection, mentored intern during the program, attended kick-off and wrap-up events and offered guidance throughout the connected learning project. Published press releases written by the presenter about the initiative have appeared in the St. Augustine Record (local newspaper), the St. Augustine Social (local magazine), and most recent edition of Florida Libraries (FLA journal).