Chicago Public Library

Chicago Public Library/Humboldt Park Branch

Intern: Heather Backman

Code: CHIPL-01

The Chicago Public Library's Humboldt Park Branch serves a primarily Hispanic community on Chicago's near north side. The 13 000 square foot facility includes an auditorium which hosts both library and community events including exciting programming for children and young adults. Like all CPL branches the Humboldt Park Branch offers free Internet use including wireless access and laptop computers and the branch also hosts a Teacher in the Library homework help program. This is all part of the library's efforts to bridge the digital divide in this community as well as to increase literacy/achievement of both children and adults. An intern at the Humboldt Park Library will work with the branch librarians observing the busy public service desks and programs as well as updating and adding to the Humboldt Park Community resources website used by the library staff when asked for referrals to community agencies. An intern will come away with a stronger knowledge of community based library service as well as a better understanding of the programs and services offered at the 79 Chicago Public Library locations.

Good for anyone interested in public library work; Spanish speakers ideal but not required. Proficiency with computers and or computer databases preferred.

Children and Young Adult Services

Intern: Kristina Weins

Code: CHIPL-04

Interested in a behind the scenes look at the inner workings of the department that directs and create projects for children and teens for the Chicago Public Library's 79 locations? The intern that ventures to accept this mission will play an integral role in assisting in preparing for the Summer Reading Program Orientation for Librarians. You will also have the opportunity to be involved in the daily tasks of the Department observe book review attend programs and view an exciting new project called YouMedia involving teens creating and using digital tools to explore the words and ideas of the books housed in the Chicago Public Library.

Specific skills: Willing and able intern that is interested in children and teens.

Department of Strategic Planning and Partnerships/Computer Usage Evaluation

Code: CHIPL-02

Interns will have the opportunity to gather data for a study that will identify the ways Chicago Public Library (CPL) patrons use public computers when they visit the library. CPL offers free internet access at all 79 locations on 3600 PCs and laptops and patrons log over 2.8 million free Internet sessions annually. This study will allow CPL to better understand how our patrons interact with technology. Interns will have the opportunity to visit CPL branches and interview adults teens and children about their computer/internet usage and user experiences. Interns will also have the opportunity to work with the Strategic Planning staff to begin analysis of the data and formulate recommendations. The information gathered by the interns will be used to identify the pressing needs of CPL patrons to promote CPL programs and services to partners and to inform CPL's next strategic plan and the general future of technology services at CPL. Interns will come away with a better understanding of the diversity of the City of Chicago pressing issues of the digital divide and urban library services and the gathering of data in a large public library system. Interns will report to Harold Washington Library Center but will have the opportunity to visit many other CPL locations.

Interns should be interested in public service evaluation and library development.

The Chicago Newspaper Survey

Code: CHIPL-03

Researching the Chicago Newspapers available in microfilm at CPL and writing a synopsis for each of: date established and ceased frequency of issue changes in publication publisher political affiliation identifying characteristics and market niche.

Specific skills: Good grasp of English language reading and writing ability to self direct and synthesize research.

Children's Department - Sulzer Regional Library

Code: CHIPL-05

The Children's Department of the Sulzer Regional Library is an active urban library servicing 22 schools. You will have a first hand opportunity to shadow the staff as they conduct programs reference and reader's advisory. You can participate in story programs assist with their Maritime Festival Outreach Concerts work on a variety of daily tasks including collection development class visits and database training and review

Specific skills: Willing and able intern that is interested in children and teens.

Annotated Bibliography of Genealogy Collection-Avalon Branch

Code: CHIPL-06

Avalon Branch has a small collection in Genealogy for African-Americans to assist in doing research from the states of Arkansas Mississippi and Tennessee. These states were chosen because of the overwhelming number of African-Americans from those states that arrived in the Chicagoland area during the Great Black Migration. The main focus of the project will be to compile an annotated bibliography of this collection. It is helpful to the researcher to know what information is contained in each volume of work. There is an existing bibliography; however, it is outdated and not annotated.

Specific skills: Computer skills is a must. Knowledge of compiling a bibliography would be helpful. There is a carral in the workroom that the student may use. The student may need to bring his or her own computer.