Columbia University Libraries

Collection Development

Kate Hutchens. Code: COLUMBIAU-01

The Collection Development division of Columbia University Libraries will provide opportunities for intern(s) to observe and participate in a wide variety of activity involved in building one of the largest academic research collections in the country. Interns will observe and assist the Director, Assistant Director of Collection Development, and selectors as they work on a variety of tasks including: collections budget management; design of revised collection policy statements; selection of approval books; assessment of electronic resources; impact of currency fluctuation on ability to purchase materials; negotiation of licenses for electronic resources; and more as opportunity presents. Barbara List, Director of Collection Development, and Jeff Carroll, Assistant Director of Collection Development, will supervise and mentor the intern(s).

Management and Planning Activities in the Science & Engineering Libraries

Elaine Engstrom. Code: COLUMBIAU-02

The eight Science & Engineering Libraries at Columbia University provide instruction, information services, collections, and access services to undergraduate majors, graduate students, faculty and researchers in astronomy, biology, chemistry, earth sciences (geology), mathematics, physics, and psychology. We also serve as the main library for the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences and the Lamont Doherty Earth Observatory in Palisades, New York. This program will provide the opportunity for an intern to experience a typical week in the life of academic science librarians as they work in partnership with faculty, students, and researchers. Barbara List, the Director of the Science & Engineering Libraries (and an alum of the University of Michigan SI), will supervise the intern and act as the mentor. Colleagues from the eight departmental libraries will provide opportunities for the intern to observe our "on call" reference service; the Division's participation in IM information service; collection development & access services activities; continued planning for a new consolidated science library that broke ground in 2007; and attend a Division-wide meeting where a variety of issues will be discussed

Library Marketing & Assessment

Michael Matrescu. Code: COLUMBIAU-03

Enthusiasm for marketing library services and collections to students and faculty is a must. The intern will conduct research on library marketing best practices, marketing services, use of web 2.0 for marketing, relationship building, word-of-mouth marketing and branding to inform upcoming marketing initiatives. Consider marketing strategies for Libraries website, print publications, events, etc. Brainstorming sessions will include key staff members. This internship will be a focused exploration of trends and best practices in marketing libraries. The intern will have the opportunity to participate in discussions on how to structure a marketing program at a large university library with diverse populations. The internship will also provide the candidate with opportunities to meet with other staff members of the Access Services Division and throughout the libraries.

Social Sciences Division Management & Planning Activities

Katie Dover-Taylor. Code: COLUMBIAU-04

The Social Science Division Libraries at Columbia University provide instruction, information services, collections, and access services to graduate students and faculty in our School of Social Work, the Columbia School of Business, and the Columbia School of Journalism. At the same time we provide collections and services to graduate students and faculty in the academic departments of political science, economics, anthropology, sociology, and the University's School of International and Public Affairs.

This brief but intense internship will provide someone the opportunity to explore the differences between serving professional schools and academic departments and to experience the planning and discussions involved in piecing together major space renovations. Alysse Jordan, the Social Work Librarian, will supervise the intern and act as the mentor. Colleagues from the Watson Library of Business and Economics and the Lehman Library of the Social Sciences will provide opportunities for the intern to observe our "on call" reference service; the Division's participation in IM information service; collection development activities; attend a Division-wide meeting where a variety of issues will be discussed; and finally the experience of meeting with librarians who are working in our numeric and geospatial center as they plan for an expanded information commons sometime in the near future.

While there is no specific project for the intern to complete, this would be a great opportunity for a student to be part of the day-to-day operations of several divisions in an academic research library, as well as being included in several new initiatives and planning for the future. It would be of great interest to us if the intern could provide a brief summary of his/her observations of the experience.

Humanities and History Division

Jonathan Ponder. Code: COLUMBIAU-05

The Humanities & History Division provides instruction, information services, collections, and access services to Columbia University students and faculty especially to those in the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, the School of the Arts, Columbia College and the School of General Studies. Those in many other Columbia programs as well as alums and visitors are also served by the "H&H" Division staff. This internship will provide an opportunity to observe a Butler reference desk supported by an extensive reference collection (online and print), a busy Electronic Text unit, a Music Library and workshops taught in the subject areas of Humanities & History as well as on tools used by Columbia scholars (e.g., EndNote). The intern will also have the chance to discuss and observe virtual reference at an exciting juncture as we consider how we will be providing reference services over the next few years.

Ree DeDonato, the Director of the Humanities & History Division and Acting Director of the Burke Library (Union Theological Seminary) will supervise the intern and act as the mentor. Colleagues from H&H, including the Music Librarian, Head of the Electronic Text Service, and various subject selectors will provide opportunities to observe reference and information services; collection development; user instruction sessions; and attend relevant meetings.

While there is no specific project for the intern to complete, this internship will offer a student the chance to be part of the day-to-day operations of several inter-related units in an academic research library, as well as being included in several new initiatives and planning for the future. We would be appreciative if the intern could provide a brief summary of his/her observations of the experience.