Here’s a look at how some students in the iSchool’s Master of Library and Information Science program have been spending their summer:
Dianne Bohach
A remote intern with the Button Museum of Chicago.
Q: What are you working on?
A: As a remote intern, my job is to research pinback buttons that have already been physically described by other colleagues on site in Chicago. I search the Internet for any clues and information that might relate to the buttons and then write up short, interesting narratives about them for the website. I add that and any copyright information I find to their Drupal system.
Q: What’s your favorite aspect of the internship?
A: I love how each button I research is a mystery to me. Sometimes I don't find anything and they remain a mystery; however, some of the things I have discovered about 100-year-old buttons are fascinating. I also really enjoy getting more practice writing for an audience on the Web.
How will your internship help with your objectives at the iSchool?
A: This internship is giving me great practical experience in skills that I have been learning about in the iSchool, from cataloging to searching the Web for information to research writing. These are all skills that I see myself using in a professional library setting.
Chelsea Cooper
Directed fieldwork with the Sno-Isle Regional Library System north of Seattle
Q: What are you working on?
A: With three locations, I am working on a wide variety of projects! For the Edmonds Library I am working on the Information Desk, helping patrons and doing two research projects for the librarians. At the Mountlake Terrace Library I am helping to run a reading program that pairs reluctant readers (grades 2 and 3) with teens to help them gain confidence and enjoy reading. And then for Outreach Services I assisted on a number of delivery and bookmobile routes and at a few outreach events. In addition, I'm working with Early Learning and Teen Services for a few small projects, like maintaining their social media and updating book lists.
Q: What’s your favorite aspect of the directed fieldwork?
My favorite part is being able to network with my co-workers in departments I'm not normally connected with. I actually work at the Edmonds Library and used to work at Mountlake Terrace, so it's been great to work with my co-workers in different capacities at locations I'm familiar with. Outside of this DFW, it is very unlikely that I would ever come into contact with the Outreach Services department because it's pretty isolated. Working with them and learning about these services has been an eye-opening experience. And honestly, who doesn't want to ride around in the bookmobile!
Q: How will your directed fieldwork help with your career objectives?
A: Doing this DFW has really helped me to orient my passion for public librarianship toward outreach services. I have been able to gain real experience in areas that interest me in a very low-stakes way. Interning for my employer has been very valuable because I have been able to network with my co-workers in different areas of our organization.
Robbyn Gordon Lanning
Directed fieldwork at the University of Victoria Libraries in Victoria, British Columbia.
Q: What are you working on?
A: My directed fieldwork project developed out of an interest in creating a publicly accessible online exhibition using materials from UVic’s Special Collections. In consultation with my fieldwork supervisor and collaboration with members of Special Collections and the University’s Art Galleries, we identified a body of archival resources in need of digitization and cataloging. Using an archival finding aid, I worked to select materials from the Katharine Emma Maltwood fonds for an online exhibit. I created surrogates from the selected resources using various digitization technology (including a TTI scanning back, flatbed scanner, and digital camera), and then applied metadata (Dublin Core) to the objects using digital collections management software (CONTENTdm). Currently I am performing research and developing interpretive information to put the exhibit objects into context. With this information I will design an online exhibit with the digital collection content management system Omeka. I have been granted creative flexibility to select and curate the materials to present a narrative that I believe will be of public interest – a fantastic and generous opportunity for any MLIS student to partake in.
Q: What’s your favorite aspect of the directed fieldwork?
A: My favorite aspect of my directed fieldwork is having the chance to tell a story through the curation of archival materials. It has been a tremendous opportunity to work with resources from the personal fonds of Katharine Emma Maltwood, an eminent artist and author who lived in Victoria, B.C., from 1938 to her death in 1967 at age 89. Katharine Maltwood had a passion for English folklore, oriental philosophy, theosophy, Arthurian legends and archaeoastronomy – she wrote several books about a 10-mile earthwork zodiac she believed to be part of the landscape in Glastonbury, England. Sharing Katharine’s enthusiasm for the Glastonbury zodiac – along with her material possessions, which include preliminary sketches, photographs, prototype models and research notes – with members of the public not only sheds light on an interesting and charismatic personality, but provides the opportunity for reflection on the artistic process, and the role of religious belief in influencing artistic creation.
I have also greatly appreciated the chance to get to meet and receive mentorship from an incredible array of library professionals. I have collaborated with individuals working in special collections, archives, cataloging, digitization and IT.
Q: How will your directed fieldwork help with your career objectives?
A: My directed fieldwork is directly applicable to my future career as a librarian. It has allowed me to engage in project development and management, as both an independent researcher and as a member of numerous teams. I have gained practical hands-on experience using various digitization hardware and software technologies as well as content management systems and have had the opportunity to learn by doing as I engaged in research, digitization, cataloging and curatorial activities. Finally, my fieldwork has reinforced my appreciation for the collaborative and interdisciplinary nature of libraries. The generosity I have been shown by members of the UVic Libraries, the willingness of so many professionals to share their time and expertise with me, is a gift I will carry forward with me and strive to reciprocate as my career in libraries unfolds. My experiences with UVic Libraries have helped me to strengthen my professional identity as a librarian.