Columbia University Libraries

Social Sciences Intern

Code: COLUMBIAU-01

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. Jane Winland 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.

Collection Development Intern

Code: COLUMBIAU-02

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.