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G2S Project Code: 2014-DC-73692
State: District of Columbia
Fiscal Year: 2014
Grantee
Thurgood Marshall Academy Public Charter High School

Project Director
Director Name: Lena Barker
Director Phone: 202-563-6862
Director Email: lbarker@tmapchs.org
General Information
Title: Library Sciences Internship Program
State Project Code:
Start Date: 10/01/2014
End Date: 06/15/2015
Abstract: DC Public Library awarded a $17,500 sub-grant to the Thurgood Marshall Academy Public Charter High School (TMAPCHS) to develop and implement a Library Sciences Internship Program for students in grades 10-12 during the 2014-2015 academic year.  The program was designed to expose students to library management activities and technologies through course assessments and projects.  The program also aimed to help students learn about the variety of library positions available, professional responsibilities, and future career or academic interests related to this field. 
State Goal: Lifelong Learning
Budget Information
LSTA
MATCH-State
MATCH-Other
Total
$17,500.00
$0.00
$0.00
$17,500.00
Intent(s)
Improve users' formal education.
Employment
Library Skills
Activities
Activity Details
Title: Library Sciences Internship Program
Narrative: Thurgood Marshall Academy Public Charter High School developed and implemented a Library Sciences Internship Program for students in grades 10-12 in academic year 2014-2015.  Under the leadership of the school librarian, students met for a 90-minute library science course on alternating days throughout the school year where they were exposed to library management activities and technologies, professional responsibilities, and career paths in the field. Students also were required to participate in Homework Help after school where they used their newly acquired library skills to assist peers with basic academic research for various projects.  Staff members from the Dorothy I. Height/Benning Neighborhood Library provided library cards for the students and introduced them to the resources and services available to DC residents throughout the DC Public Library system.  






Intent: Improve users' formal education.

Activity: Instruction
Mode: Program
Format: In-person


Quantity
Session length (minutes): 90
Number of sessions in program: 96
Average number in attendance per session: 5
Number of times program administered: 1


Partner Information
Organization Type of Partner Organization(s):
Libraries: No
Historical Societies or Organizations: No
Museums: No
Archives: No
Cultural Heritage Organization Multi-type: No
Preschools: No
Schools: No
Adult Education: No
Human Service Organizations: No
Other: No


Legal Type of Partner Organization(s):
Federal Government: No
State Government: No
Local Government (excluding school districts): No
School District: No
Non-Profit: No
Private Sector: No
Tribe/Native Hawaiian Organization: No


Beneficiaries
Is the activity directed at the library workforce: No
For a targeted group or for the general population: Targeted
Geographic community of the targeted group: Urban
For what age groups: 13-17 years
For what economic types: Below Poverty
For what ethnicity types: Black
Is the activity directed at families: No
Is the activity directed at intergenerational groups: No
Is the activity directed at immigrants/refugees: No
Is the activity directed at those with disabilities: No
Limited functional literacy or informational skills: No
Is the activity category not already captured: No


Locale
Is the activity state-wide: No
Specific Locations: Yes
Name: Thurgood Marshal Academy Public Charter High School
Address: 2427 Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue SE
City: Washington
State: DC
Zip: 20020
Project Outcomes
Project Outcomes
List any important findings or outcomes from your project:
1. Students demonstrated an increased knowledge of library management activities(circulation responsibilities, procurement, and best practices to maintain a safe learning environment); technologies (computer hardware and software, telecommunications networks, and digital formats). Post-program students are adept at checking out books to peers, shelving, processing book orders, and conducting research using technology. 2. Students completed a capstone project in which they assessed their work as library professionals, noting strengths and weaknesses and areas of interest.
Please briefly describe importance of findings:
These findings are important because they indicate that students have an interest and can be successful in a Library Sciences program. Upon completion of the internship, one of the students has earned a new position as TMAPCHS's new Library Assistant. The other students have been made aware of the library's resources available to them in supporting their academic work.
What methods did you use to determine your findings? Check all that apply:
Survey
Participant Observation
Other
Based on outputs, outcomes and/or other results, explain any significant lessons learned from these findings for either the SLAA or others in the LIS field:
One of the most significant lessons learned from this internship program is that libraries need to change the way they market themselves to potential professionals. Students expected to order and shelve books. However, they were amazed at the types of library programming and resources available, e.g., makerspaces, computer help, archives(digital and non-digital). Students were also unaware of the job possibilities available to librarians, not realizing that many professions such as law, architecture, and design maintain libraries.
Do you anticipate continuing this project after the current reporting period ends:
Yes
Do you anticipate any change in level of effort:
No
Do you anticipate any change in the project's scope:
No
Do you anticipate any other changes in the project:
No
Exemplary: No
Exemplary Narrative
Project Tags: Internships, Library Science