Columbia University Libraries seeks applicants for the remote Ask A Librarian Internship. The Ask A Librarian Internship provides current and recently-graduated Library & Information Science students with hands-on experience in academic librarianship. Interns will receive training and support from a librarian supervisor in order to assist users through the Ask A Librarian chat reference service. Additionally, interns will work in collaboration with their supervisor to conduct a project, such as designing and delivering a workshop session, creating topical research guides, or processing special collections. Interns will be assigned to a project based on their interests and project availability.

The Ask A Librarian Internship Program seeks to provide meaningful working experiences that relate to the goals and interests of the intern. BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) Library & Information Science students and recent graduates are highly encouraged to apply. 

Availability

Applications will be accepted from July 5th to July 24th, 2022. Applications received before or after this time will not be considered.

Five positions will be available for Fall 2022. Interns are anticipated to start August 29th, 2022, with an expected end date of on or before December 23rd, 2022, for a period of approximately four months total. 

Additionally, we are recruiting for five positions for Spring 2023 at this time. Interns for this semester are anticipated to start January 9th, 2023, with an expected end date of on or before May 12th, 2023.

Location

The internship will be conducted remotely. Interns residing in the New York City area may have the option to conduct project work at Columbia University’s Morningside Campus if desired.

Compensation 

$20 per hour

Schedule

The schedule is an average time commitment of 10 hours per week, but varies week to week. It typically includes six hours of chat reference staffing during evenings and/or weekends, and four hours of working on a project and meeting with a librarian supervisor. Anticipated evening and weekend chat reference hours include Monday-Friday 5pm to 8pm, and Saturday or Sunday 12pm to 6pm (Eastern Time). Please note that there is flexibility in scheduling, and interns are encouraged to swap chat reference shifts with one another as needed.

Duties

• Provide research assistance to users via chat reference
• Refer users to appropriate Columbia University Libraries departments or staff members
• Conduct a project as directed by an intern supervisor
• Meet with supervisor once per week and participate in group meetings periodically

Required Qualifications

• Must be currently enrolled in a Master of Library Science (MLS) or equivalent program in the United States, or have graduated from a MLS program within the past year and be a U.S. resident
• Demonstrated effective communication skills
• Ability to work evenings and/or weekends

Preferred Qualifications

• Coursework or experience in reference/research services
• Ability to evaluate, understand, refer, and respond to research questions
• Strong commitment to service

Applicant Instructions

Applications will be accepted from July 5th to July 24th, 2022. Please submit a cover letter and resume to the Ask A Librarian Internship Coordinators at AskALibrarianInternship@library.columbia.edu by Sunday, July 24th at 11:59pm Eastern. 

Submit your cover letter and resume as a single document (preferably PDF), with the naming convention: Lastname_Firstname_Application.pdf

Your cover letter should include how you meet the required qualifications for the internship, as well as any preferred qualifications as applicable. Please also indicate in your cover letter which semester you wish to be considered for: Fall 2022, Spring 2023, or both.

We expect to notify successful applicants in early August, and unsuccessful applicants in mid-August.

For Questions or Additional Information

Please contact AskALibrarianInternship@library.columbia.edu.

Apply online here

Submit specified application materials to AskALibrarianInternship@library.columbia.edu.