Information Tools

Master of Library and Information Science

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Directed Fieldwork Host Site Information

The Information School’s MLIS program educates students for careers and leadership roles in the library and information professions. Partnerships between industry and our students are a much-appreciated and integral component in this process.

Benefits of Hosting a Student

When working with a student host sites are able to:

  • Develop and implement special projects
  • Access high-quality and professional-level assistance
  • Gain exposure to new perspectives and insights from students
  • Interact with students and faculty of the iSchool

Directed Fieldwork Host Site Responsibilities

Students work under the formal guidance from a qualified host site supervisor (mentor) during their DFW experience. Qualified host site supervisors have an MLIS, MLS, MSIM, library media endorsement (for teacher librarians), or other relevant degree as well as the depth of experience and strong professional identity of an information professional. Also, the supervisor should be more knowledgeable than the student for most of the DFW tasks. Supervisor responsibilities include:

  • Devoting time to the student in terms of training, supervising, and mentoring of the student in a professional setting; students may pursue fieldwork according to these credits/minimum number of hours completed by the end of the quarter:
    • 1 credit = 50 hours 
    • 2 credits = 100 hours
    • 3 credits = 150 hours
    • 4 credits = 200 hours
    • 5 credits = 250 hours
  • Providing appropriate supervision and guidance, including regular (weekly) meetings between the supervisor and student to discuss activities, monitor progress, and discuss any challenges of problems.
  • Providing relevant tasks, projects and activities that constitute beginning professional level work and involve skills and knowledge that the student has already begun to develop through coursework but for which he/she has not yet developed a high level of expertise.
  • Working with the student on the following paperwork:

Since DFW is an academic course the timeframe of the experience must fall during the academic quarter (10-12 weeks). Please observe the start and end dates for each quarter in the academic calendar:

  • Autumn quarter - late September through early December
  • Winter quarter - early January through mid-March
  • Spring quarter - late March through early June
  • Summer quarter - mid-June thru mid-August (summer DFWs are for the full 9-week summer term)

Advertising Directed Fieldwork Opportunities

Most opportunities are advertised via the Handshake online system. Create an account and post your opportunity now. This is a UW-wide site, so we encourage employers to use the tips in the "How to Post a Job on Handshake" guide to tailor the posting specifically for the MLIS audience. This helps our students find your posting and ensures that applicants meet the MLIS fieldwork requirements. Employers can also have their contact information listed on this site so that students may contact them directly to inquire about Directed Fieldwork partnerships, informational interviews, etc. Small libraries or other organizations who do not have a separate HR department or other staffing to manage a Handshake account can reach out to mlis@uw.edu to be connected with the DFW faculty coordinator to ensure the promotion of opportunities. 

Questions about Directed Fieldwork and the MLIS program may be sent to mlis@uw.edu.

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