The University Libraries offers Internships, Fellowships, and Graduate Student Practicums in many different parts of the library.

We offer paid practicums/internships in fall, winter, and summer (at a rate of $21.63/hr as of 10/04/2022 with alternative options for stipends/etc.). The internship or practicum will take place at Grand Valley State University’s Allendale or Grand Rapids campus with some opportunities for hybrid or fully remote work. It will meet the hours needed for the internship/practicum with potential for additional hours as an adjunct library faculty. There is also the possibility of renewal as an adjunct library faculty in future semesters. Schedules are negotiable within the department’s Monday through Friday office hours. 

These paid educational internship/practicums are great opportunities for hands-on experience for current Library and Information Science students. Opportunities are available in all areas of the library with some specific practicums and internships advertised each semester. Candidates from diverse backgrounds are encouraged to apply.

Participants

• Can join us fall, winter, and/or summer
• Must be able to work in the United States
• Can be paid an hourly rate or receive a stipend/professional development funding if payment is not allowed 
• Will receive mentoring, early leadership development, and access to library leadership as well as campus programs

Communications and Marketing Practicum

Grand Valley State University is seeking an intern/practicum student to work in the Libraries Administration Department for the Winter 2024 semester. Students interested in learning about libraries communication and marketing practices will be introduced to topics such as targeted email promotions, the creation of annual reports, and other strategies and outputs for internal and external communications.

This is a great opportunity for hands-on experience that would prepare a student for librarianship in multiple settings. Participants will also have opportunities to meet with Library administrators and other Library staff in areas of interest, as well as take part in learning opportunities. This is a paid educational internship/practicum for a current Library and Information Science student interested in gaining practical communications and marketing experience. 

During the internship you will:

• Get hands-on experience building content for Libraries Communications outlets
• Discuss strategies and best practices for both internal and external communications
• Collaborate with colleagues to create reports and promotional copy.

This practicum can be completely remote. It will meet the hours needed for the internship/practicum as well as offer additional hours as an adjunct library faculty up to 10 hours a week and last the duration of the Winter 2024 semester (Through April 30). Schedules are negotiable.  Compensation will be $21.63 per hour.   

Required Qualifications

• At the time of employment, be a graduate student in an American Library Association accredited (and within the United States (financially unable to hire from outside the U.S.), online library/information science program; and be a graduate student who is beyond the first term of their program. 
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively 
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, such as the ability to interact with others with respect and empathy 
• Demonstrated commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility as well as a focus on user needs and experience 
• Confident humility – the ability to simultaneously acknowledge one’s own and others’ expertise and values

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working with culturally diverse populations. 
• Curiosity – self-identifies and pursues the need for new skills and knowledge
• Ability to function productively and with flexibility in an evolving environment 
• Clearly articulated career goals and professional interests related to academic librarianship. 

Sending Applications

Please email a cover letter and resume articulating how you fit the required and/or preferred qualifications with the Practicum title you are applying for as the subject to Ashley Rosener at [email protected]. Examples to meet these qualifications may be examples of specific projects completed in the workplace, as part of your education, as a student, in volunteer or nonprofit work, or lived experiences. Qualified candidates will be contacted for short interview process. 

If you are interested in a practicum or internship opportunity at GVSU Libraries, please email Ashley Rosener.

As a member of the ACRL Diversity Alliance program, GVSU Libraries are committed to increasing the hiring pipeline of qualified and talented individuals from underrepresented racial and ethnic groups to help diversify and thereby enrich the profession.

The Undergraduate Library Fellowship program is a workplace-based learning experience, where fellows work closely with their supervisor on specific projects. Fellows will receive training relevant to their project area and the department it is housed in within the Libraries. The Undergraduate Library Fellowship Program is Open to all GVSU students regardless of citizenship status.*

*if you have questions about your eligibility please feel free to contact Amber Dierking, Undergraduate Library Fellowship Program Director, or Thalia Guerra-Flores, Assistant Director, Office of Multicultural Excellence.

Fellowship applications will reopen at the end of Winter semester, 2024.

Instructional Materials Fellow

The Instructional Materials Fellow will plan, develop, and create materials for use in library instruction. They will be supervised by the Instructional Design Librarian and collaborate with Librarians and Library staff to create these materials and assess future needs.

Duties may include:

• Create 1-3 items for use in instruction (these can be videos, tutorials, handouts, etc.)
• Assess existing materials to identify gaps and future needs
• Gain a deeper understanding and training in Instructional Design and Universal Design for Learning (UDL)

Qualifications:

• Completed at least one year of study at the college level by Winter 2024 (current first year students are eligible to apply)
• Must be in good academic standing
• Able to work 5 hours per week

What you can expect to learn in this position:

• Research skills
• Communication and collaboration skills
• Content development
• Capturing and editing photo and video content
• Assessment skills
• Technology and computer literacy

Compensation: 

Fellows are compensated via a stipend rather than hourly pay. The full stipend for the semester amounts to $1,350 for 5hr/wk/semester. This breaks down to approximately an $18/hour rate.

Standard Hours for this Position:

Hours will be established in communication with your supervisor at the start of the semester. Undergraduate Library Fellows work between 5-20 per week during the Fall and Winter semesters.

Student Success Fellow

The Student Success Fellow will support the Student Success Librarian in the integration of library skills and resources into existing and future student success efforts across campus in areas such as Housing, Student Affairs, Tutoring, Student Athletics, Knowledge Market, Civic Engagement, Student Life, and others. This is a new area of library involvement on campus, parameters are not yet strictly defined; the work of the intern will involve helping create and define projects. Learning and teaching will be mutual, collaborative, and respectful, and assigned work will be explained and contextualized so that the fellow is encouraged to make connections between their fellowship duties and the value of that work in their educational and professional future.

Duties may include:

• Attend meetings with campus student affairs stakeholders, taking notes, and helping draft reports
• Meet with Student Success Librarian regularly to coordinate and prioritize work
• Learn tools for the creation of presentation and learning objects
• Assist in creation of student success environmental scan
• Serve as informal ambassador of University Libraries student success efforts
• Assist in the creation of learning objects, programs, presentations
• If possible, draft article for publication with the Student Success Librarian

Qualifications:

• Completed at least one year of study at the college level by Winter 2024 (current first year students are eligible to apply)
• Must be in good academic standing
• Able to work 10 hours per week

What you may expect to learn in this position:

• Research skills
• Communication and collaboration skills
• Content development
• Assessment skills
• Technology & computer literacy

Compensation: 

Fellows are compensated via a stipend rather than hourly pay. The full stipend for the semester amounts to $2,700 for 10 hours per week for the semester. This breaks down to approximately an $18 per hour rate.

Standard Hours for this Position:

Hours will be established in communication with your supervisor at the start of the semester. Undergraduate Library Fellows work between 5-20 hours per week during the Fall and Winter semesters.