Practicum Opportunities

Oak Ridge Public Library — Oak Ridge Room

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Location Description

Oak Ridge Public Library is a municipal library serving a community of 31,000 people. The Oak Ridge Room serves as the city's local history room, preserving the municipal and social history of the City of Oak Ridge. Many visitors to the Oak Ridge Room are interested in how their relatives were employed during World War II, the Manhattan Project, and the history and social role of nuclear energy. The Oak Ridge Room collection contains documents, maps, photographs, oral histories and recordings, and audiovisual material. Projects in the Oak Ridge Room will consist of evaluating, organizing, preserving, and digitizing collections in order to make them publicly accessible. Interns will be responsible for bringing a collection to the digital stage and will gain practical, hands-on archival experience.

Practicum Work Mode

On site

Semesters or Time Period Available

Spring

Location

1401 Oak Ridge Turnpike
Oak Ridge, TN 37830
https://orpl.org

Contact

Julie Forkner
Director
jforkner@oakridgetn.gov
865-425-3468

Student Tasks

Evaluating, organizing, preserving, and digitizing a singular collection.

Type of Mentoring Provided to the Student

This position is mentored by the Technical Services Librarian and our Local History Specialist. Each brings decades of experience in archives and records management as well as in-depth knowledge of the history of Oak Ridge and the Manhattan Project.

Student Interaction With Others at the Location

Interns will be part of the city-wide cohort and will be introduced to working in a municipality as a whole. Introductions to other departments (Police, Fire, Legal, Public Works, Planning and Development) as well as weekly gatherings with your cohort are part of your intern experience. This is an excellent opportunity to be paid for experience working as part of a large and complex organization. To apply, pleases go to https://www.oakridgetn.gov/378/The-Oak-Ridge-Internship-Program-Fall-Sp

Applications for the spring semester 2025 close on January 6, 2025. This is an ongoing opportunity that will be offered each Fall and Spring.

Bandy Heritage Center for Northwest Georgia

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Location Description

The Bandy Heritage Center for Northwest Georgia is a research archives, heritage preservation resource, and community outreach initiative of Dalton State College. The Bandy Heritage Center consists of a 3,500 sq. ft. climated -controlled archival research center, preservation, lab, and reading room. The Bandy Center also possess a gallery space in the Roberts Library atrium and an additional space at the 1911 Depot in downtown Dalton.

Practicum Work Mode

Flexible / Hybrid

Semesters or Time Period Available

Ongoing, not limited to a specific semester

Location

650 College Drive
Dalton, GA 30720
https://www.bandyheritagecenter.org/

Contact

Matthew Gramling
Director
mgramling@daltonstate.edu
7062724587

Student Tasks

There are two internship opportunities at the Bandy Heritage Center:

Collections Management Intern

The Collections Management Intern will help maintain up-to-date records of the center’s collections, and assist the Bandy Center staff in processing, preserving, researching, and interpreting objects in the collection. Additionally, the Collections Management Intern may help to provide research for upcoming exhibitions.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities
● Processing unaccessioned collections material
● Organize and maintain collections storage
● Data input into museum collection software (PastPerfect)
● Assist in comprehensive inventories of collections
● Assist in exhibit maintenance/upkeep; this may include occasional custodial work such as cleaning exhibit cases.

Digital Humanities Intern

The Digital Humanities intern will assist in administering the center’s digital collections initiatives through providing digitization and digital assets management of resource items (manuscripts, books, photographs, artifacts, etc). The intern will create digital exhibits and gain experience in digital humanities

Essential Duties and Responsibilities
● Assisting with digitization of resource items in the center’s collection.
● Provide metadata generation for digitized resource items
● Provide administrative support through supplying content management of digital collections
● Assist with development and implementation of digital exhibits.

Type of Mentoring Provided to the Student

Interns will receive one-on-one in-person and remote instruction on the principles and best practices of collections management or digitization and digital assets management. Interns will be trained in archival processing, basic archival preservation and storage, and curation of resource items in the Bandy Center's collections. Digital Humanities Interns will receive instruction in digital libraries, digitization, digital preservation, and developing and curating digital exhibits.

Student Interaction With Others at the Location

Student interns will primarily interact with Bandy Center staff in fulfillment of their internship duties. However, there will be occasional general interactions with members of the Dalton State College community (faculty, staff, and students) as well as members of the general public. Interaction with community member and researchers from the general public will take place in the reading room. On certain occasions, the intern might be required to fulfill a public service request by withdrawing a resource item from archival cold storage and bringing it to the reading room for the researcher's use. The intern will also occasionally interact with DSC staff and the public at Center programming events via assisting with event setup and administration.

University of Tennessee Medical Center, Preston Medical Library/Health Information Center

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Location Description

The Preston Medical Library’s mission is to assist the University of Tennessee Medical Center in providing excellence in healing, education, and discovery. The library is committed to ensuring access to clinical information through the acquisition, organization and management of collections. We provide exceptional reference, research and instruction for faculty, residents, students and physicians and outreach to the community.

Practicum Work Mode

On site

Semesters or Time Period Available

Ongoing, not limited to a specific semester

Location

1924 Alcoa Highway
Knoxville, TN 37920
http://gsm.utmck.edu/library/

Contact

Martha Earl
Director and Professor
mearl@utmck.edu
8653056616

Student Tasks

This practicum offers graduate students in Information Sciences the opportunity to work in a special library environment to gain library experience. The student will
Gain knowledge through training that will facilitate assistance with information service desk duties by providing answers to appropriate reference queries, including directional and collection related questions, consumer and patient health information requests, and forwarding requests for literature searches to librarians.
Complete medical library reference training curriculum
Perform practice literature reviews in health sciences databases.
Process circulating material using library circulation system
Other responsibilities may include special projects such as
Outreach to the community
Preparing books for the collection
Collection analysis
Creating and assisting in implementation of assessment tools
Assisting with current research projects.
Candidates will meet with the Director and the Practicum Supervisor to establish practicum goals and objectives. The practicum intern will meet with his/her supervisor regularly to evaluate progress toward meeting agreed upon goals and objectives and to address learning needs.

Type of Mentoring Provided to the Student

Formal and informal

Student Interaction With Others at the Location

The student will interact with other librarians and library staff, with physicians and other health professionals, with health professions students, with researchers, and with health consumers.

Pendergrass Library

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Location Description

Pendergrass Library serves students, faculty, staff, and the public seeking information and research related to UT’s Institute of Agriculture and its two colleges: the Herbert College of Agriculture and the College of Veterinary Medicine. In addition, we offer physical and online access to our resources and provides key services that benefit UTK.

Practicum Work Mode

On site

Semesters or Time Period Available

Ongoing, not limited to a specific semester

Location

2407 River Dr A113 Vet Teaching Hospital
Knoxville, TN 37996
https://maps.app.goo.gl/UCLR6UKzew67R2c18

Contact

Bokeum Yeom
Public Services & Engagement Librarian
byeom@utk.edu
865-974-4735

Student Tasks

Support Public Service (working front desk shifts)
Support Engagement Activities
– Create information boards and flyers
– Update library research guides
– Engage in and participate in Pendergrass outreach events
Collection Development
– Develop the leisure reading collection
– Participate in Seed Library Projects

Type of Mentoring Provided to the Student

Professional career mentoring

Student Interaction With Others at the Location

UT Campus that associated outreach event (e.g., Hodges Library, McClung Museum, Music Library, etc.)

John Early Museum Magnet Middle School

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Location Description

The location will be in the Museum housed within the school.

Practicum Work Mode

On site

Semesters or Time Period Available

Spring

Location

1000 Cass Street
Nashville, TN 37208

Contact

Lyndell Edmondson
Teacher and Museum Curator
lyndell.edmondson@mnps.org
TEL:+16299101721

Student Tasks

Internship duties would focus on developing research and curation of exhibits with cataloged information and non text materials. These records include photographs, news articles, non text objects such as wood from the school that was burned down. This record represents a unique look at the development of one of the biggest PWIs in middle Tennessee on the aggressive removal of HBCUs and African Americans within Davidson County.

Type of Mentoring Provided to the Student

The internship supervisor would mentor the student in not only the tasks required of the internship but also other aspects of managing a transition of a catalog for the curation of an exhibit. The Intern would see the step by step process of curation and be included in the research being done with the exhibit detailing the history of the Peabody College of Vanderbilt's development on the campus of a destroyed HCBU.

Student Interaction With Others at the Location

Student will interact with supervisor, students currently attending John Early Middle School, and students attending Tennessee State University, Vanderbilt University and Fisk University.

Metropolitan Government Archives of Nashville & Davidson County

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Location Description

Metro Archives collects and preserves the historically valuable records that document and reflect the history of Nashville and Davidson County. These records include maps and plats, deeds, marriage licenses and bonds, court records, newspapers, manuscripts, recordings, and photographs that date from 1780 to the present. The Metro Archives is located in the Main Branch of the Nashville Public Library

Practicum Work Mode

On site

Semesters or Time Period Available

Summer

Location

615 Church Street
Nashville, Tennessee 37219
https://library.nashville.org/metro-archives

Contact

Grace Hulme
Archives Associate
grace.hulme@nashville.gov
6158625880

Student Tasks

Internship duties would focus primarily on digitization and data entry for selected files from the Davidson County Tax Assessor, Property Appraisal File Cards, 1960-2007. These files contain photographs, sketches, correspondence, appraisal notes, and ownership/business information. This record group represents a unique comprehensive look at the Metro Nashville/Davidson County area and the functions of its government.

The intern will also produce an article regarding their project for the NAGARA quarterly review and have the opportunity to create something similar for Metro Archives.

To learn more about this paid internship, please visit this link: https://library.nashville.org/support/internships/metro-archives-nagara-intern.

Type of Mentoring Provided to the Student

The internship supervisor would mentor the student in not only the tasks required of the internship but also other aspects of managing a large records collection including creating a finding aid, developing a processing strategy, and managing relationships between multiple archival collections. This position would provide an ideal opportunity for young/future archival professionals to learn about government archiving work, processing a large collection, digitization/preservation, and the potential current/future impacts of archives.

Student Interaction With Others at the Location

The student will have a one-on-one relationship with their internship coordinator and will also be working alongside four other archivists with a wide range of experience. The student will also be working in an area that is open to the public and will be able to observe patron interactions in the archives.

Retraction Watch Database

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Location Description

The Retraction Watch Database — retractiondatabase.org — acquired in 2023 by Crossref and operating by the nonprofit The Center For Scientific Integrity, is the world's leading database of retractions, with more than 47,000 at the time of this writing. The Center also operates Retraction Watch — retractionwatch.com — which remains an editorially independent journalism organization.

Practicum Work Mode

Remote

Semesters or Time Period Available

Ongoing, not limited to a specific semester

Location

121 W 36th St Suite 209
New York, NY 10018
https://retractiondatabase.org

Contact

Ivan Oransky
Executive Director, The Center For Scientific Integrity
ivan@retractionwatch.com
9173592113

Student Tasks

The student will make entries in the Retraction Watch Database, learning about data curation, metadata, and reasons for retraction.

Type of Mentoring Provided to the Student

The student will work with Research Director Alison Abritis, who created and maintains the Retraction Watch Database. Alison, whose PhD thesis was about retractions, is arguably the world's leading expert on retraction data, taxonomy, and curation. In addition to assigning tasks and ensuring their quality, Alison will meet regularly with the student to review progress and discuss research integrity issues.

Student Interaction With Others at the Location

The student will also have the opportunity to meet virtually with Retraction Watch co-founder Ivan Oransky and to work with researcher Gordon Sullivan.

McClung Museum

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Location Description

The McClung Museum of Natural History and Culture is the University of Tennessee (UT) academic museum, located on campus in Knoxville. The McClung Museum serves the university and greater eastern Tennessee community with onsite exhibitions, instruction, public programming, and collections-based research in both natural history and culture. In addition, the Museum provides onsite and offsite instruction for thousands of local K-12 school children each year in collaboration with Knox County and other neighboring school systems. The McClung Museum is one of only two Knoxville museums accredited by AAM (the American Alliance of Museums), and the only natural history museum in the region. The McClung Museum, through its partnership with the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA), holds one of the largest archaeological collections of Southeastern Native American heritage in the United States.

Practicum Work Mode

On site

Semesters or Time Period Available

Spring

Location

1327 Circle Park Dr
Knoxville, TN 37996
https://mcclungmuseum.utk.edu/

Contact

Katy Malone
Manager of Education and Community Engagment
kmalon15@utk.edu
865-974-2416

Student Tasks

We offer several internships in the spring semester. Students are invited to apply for one or more of the positions that best suite their career goals. Availability may vary slightly with each academic calendar but internships most often include: Collection Management in Malacology or Arts & Culture; Exhibition Curation; Museum Education; Visitor Services; Preparator; Design and Marketing; Environmental Archaeology.

For up to date information and the application process, please visit UT's Handshake Portal in October prior to the spring semester in question.

Type of Mentoring Provided to the Student

Successful candidates will have in-depth supervision by a museum staff member in the appropriate field. These primary supervisors will work with the student to choose and execute a real-world project that matches the student's interests and strengths. Additionally, all interns participate in group sessions where they will meet with and learn from each other and other museum professionals from around the Knoxville area.

Student Interaction With Others at the Location

During their internship, students will develop projects that have real world implications. As a result, they will frequently work with museum staff beyond their supervisor. Also, as a part of the group sessions, they will have the opportunity to meet each of the McClung's staff members, are museum professionals, and the other interns, to ask questions and network.

John C. Hodges Library's Department of Data and Digital Scholarship

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Location Description

The John C. Hodges Library in the heart of campus houses the majority of the UT Libraries’ collections and many unique services. The Data and Digital Scholarship team is based on the second floor of Hodges Library and serves the UT community through consultation, reference, and general assistance throughout every phase of the data lifecycle. Practicum hours will be completed partially in-person under the supervision of at least one Data and Digital Scholarship librarian.

Practicum Work Mode

Flexible / Hybrid

Semesters or Time Period Available

Spring

Location

1015 Volunteer Blvd Rm 236
Knoxville, Tennessee 37996
https://www.lib.utk.edu/scholar/

Contact

Sidney Gavel
Data Science Librarian
sgavel@utk.edu
8659740009

Student Tasks

The student will learn about the support academic libraries provide for researchers navigating the planning, preservation, and discovery stages of the data lifecycle and be trained in key tasks necessary to provide this support. These tasks include assisting with workshops and outreach events including the creation of materials for these events, data deposit requests, secondary data discovery requests, and updating LibGuides, as well as other tasks as needed by the team in the student's interests.

Type of Mentoring Provided to the Student

Data and Digital Scholarship is a supportive team that works both independently and collaboratively. Students will be trained and mentored by the Data Science Librarian and the Head of Data and Digital Scholarship and will attend biweekly team meetings. Mentorship will include goal setting and regular feedback.

Student Interaction With Others at the Location

Students will have a high level of interaction with both faculty and students digitally. Additional in-person interactions with the university population may be available based on student interest. Additionally, students will have frequent interactions with librarians beyond their mentor and supervisor in the Data and Digital Scholarship team and are encouraged to interact with other librarians within Hodges Library.

Blount County Public Library Maryville, TN

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Location Description

The Blount County Public Library is the primary public library for Blount County, Tennessee, and operates as a department of Blount County. It is housed in a 90,000 square foot facility in downtown Maryville. The library circulates approximately 500,000 items (print and non-print) annually. The Reference Department currently averages 1,000 patron interactions per month. This includes both reference and technical questions and directional / print interactions. This is an excellent opportunity to gain practical experience serving patrons who have a wide range of technical expertise, who are looking for information on a variety of topics, including archives/genealogy questions. As a public library, we serve patrons from a variety of ages, interests and technological skills, always striving for excellent customer service. This position will provide opportunities for practical and realistic public library reference experience while working in a supportive team environment. The staff understands that the successful student will be gaining experience in how to operate in the unique public environment and is encouraged to offer gentle guidance.

Practicum Work Mode

On site

Semesters or Time Period Available

Fall

Location

508 N. Cusick St.
Maryville, TN 37804
http://www.blountlibrary.org

Contact

Kathleen Christy
Manager of Reference Department
kchristy@blounttn.org
8652731433

Student Tasks

Practicum Student Job Responsibilities:
• Provide excellent face-to-face customer service to support the information access and educational needs of customers
• Provide one-on-one technological instruction and assistance to patrons as needed, including but not limited to: troubleshooting computer problems; scanner; databases; internet searches and genealogy research
• Under the oversight of a professional librarian, the student will work on a project which will be decided by the Manager of the Reference Department and the student based on the student’s needs and goals. Possibilities include:
• Assess reference collection, make recommendations for weeding, and provide suggestions to replace the weeded items
• Prepare and teach adult workshops on technology and library resources
• Creating bibliographies for the library website

Type of Mentoring Provided to the Student

Mentoring will include general guidance, working with UT SIS’ Practicum instructor, discussing and overseeing possible projects which support the student’s educational goals, and regular meetings with the student.
Pending the requirements of the practicum, the student will work approximately 10 hours per week (or more at discretion of the student); the specific days and times will depend on the student’s schedule. The library is open Monday – Thursday 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Friday 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Saturday 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Sundays 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Student Interaction With Others at the Location

Student interactions will include interacting with patrons who have varied experiences, abilities, education, and personalities.
The Reference Team currently has four full-time staff and one part-time employee with Master’s Degrees. The Reference Team offers supportive interactions with students.

Susie McClure Library

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Location Description

The Susie McClure Library (SMC) of American Baptist College in Nashville, TN is a small repository that was established in 1953 and originally named after T.L. Holcomb. The library once served theology students but now serves a small population of 55 FTE at a Historically Black Christian College with an emphasis on Liberal Arts and African American Religion. The SMCL resides in a historic building with three floors and has a small area designated for Special Collections in Archives. The archives contains pictures, audio, and visual that have not been inventoried or preserved and resides in critical condition. However, there are projects underway to inventory, preserve, and digitize this fragile collection with opportunities for LIS Students to perform outreach, programming, grant writing, and other academic activities to help save the collection. The SMC Library under the direction of the new Director or Library Services, Angel Pridgen M.L.S., M.Ed., also has opportunities for LIS students to teach information literacy, perform original cataloging, acquisitions, weeding/deselection, fundraising, website building, library systems services, and reference services! A truly unique hands on experience, that will be invaluable to those LIS students interested in working in academic libraries, public or special libraries!

Practicum Work Mode

On site

Semesters or Time Period Available

Ongoing, not limited to a specific semester

Location

1800 Baptist World Center Drive
Nashville, Tennessee 37207
https://abcnash.libguides.com/SusieMcClureLibrary

Contact

Angel Pridgen
Director of Library Services
apridgen@abcnash.edu
615-687-6946

Student Tasks

Providing/Staffing Reference Services.
Cataloging and processing books and donations.
Inventorying and preserving Special Collections.
Acquisition Duties (Purchasing and selecting electronic and print titles).
Updating Library Website and adding applicable information.
Performing light systems librarian duties.
Perform programing and outreach (Library Open House, Library Orientation etc.).
Weeding/Deselecting books from the collection.
Processing book titles for recycling.
Assisting with identifying and writing grants.
Assisting with and identifying fundraising opportunities.
Supervising student workers when applicable.
Assisting with updating Library policies and procedures.

Type of Mentoring Provided to the Student

Here are some key aspects of the type of mentoring provided to student practicum workers:

Goal Setting: Establish clear goals and expectations for the practicum experience. Work closely with students to identify their specific learning objectives and define achievable outcomes.

Individualized Guidance: Provide individualized guidance to each student, taking into account their unique strengths, interests, and career aspirations. Offer personalized advice and direction to help students make the most of their practicum experience.

Skill Development: Identify areas where students need improvement and provide resources, training, and opportunities to enhance their knowledge and abilities.

Job Shadowing: Opportunity to observe and shadow Director as they carry out their daily tasks and responsibilities. This allows them to gain insights into various aspects of library work, such as reference services, collection development, outreach activities, or instructional support.

Feedback and Evaluation: Provide regular feedback and evaluation to student practicum workers. Feedback sessions may be conducted formally or informally, fostering a continuous learning and growth mindset.

Support and Encouragement: Provide a supportive and encouraging environment for student practicum workers. Serve as a sounding board for questions and concerns, offering empathy, motivation, and reassurance throughout the practicum experience.

Professional Networking Opportunities: Introduce them to colleagues and professionals within the library field. Encourage participation in professional associations, conferences, or events.

Student Interaction With Others at the Location

Students will have low to moderate interaction with students and faculty who utilize the library space to do homework and attend classes. May come into frequent contact with the Dean of Chapel whose office is located within the library and the IT Specialist who maintains the technology in the library. Overall population of Faculty, Staff and Students is less than 100 and the highest patronage of the library at one given time is no more than 10 persons on average.

Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum

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Location Description

Frist Library and Archive in the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum contains the world’s largest and most significant collection of materials documenting and preserving country music, its history, and culture from folk roots to the present. These collections are the foundation of our exhibitions, online digital archive, educational and public programs, publications, and are vital for study and research. For full internship description and to apply: https://recruiting.paylocity.com/Recruiting/Jobs/Details/1736324

Practicum Work Mode

On site

Semesters or Time Period Available

Fall

Location

222 Rep. John Lewis Way S
Nashville, TN 37203
https://www.countrymusichalloffame.org/about/collections

Contact

Patti Tillotson
Volunteer and Intern Manager
PTillotson@countrymusichalloffame.org
(615) 760-6546

Student Tasks

The Library and Archives intern will work closely with the staff to assist with the processing and/or digitizing of materials to ensure preservation and greater access to the Museum’s collections. The collections include manuscript and print materials, sound recordings, video, film, photographs, and oral history interviews. The goal of the internship is to understand the different roles and duties within an archive, learn the necessary skills to prepare archival collections for research purposes, and to gain experience working with varied archival materials.

Type of Mentoring Provided to the Student

The intern will work closely with the Director of Library and Archival Collections in relation to their assigned project. Additionally, the intern will shadow each staff member to obtain a broad understanding of the varied facets of an archive.

Student Interaction With Others at the Location

The Frist Library and Archive is a very collaborative environment. Staff members will be on-site and available to share their expertise with internship students.

Girl Scout Museum at Daisy’s Place Scrapbooks Digital Collection

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Location Description

Students will work online/remotely for the Girl Scout Museum at Daisy’s Place Scrapbooks Digital Collection

Practicum Work Mode

Remote

Semesters or Time Period Available

Summer 2023 and/or Fall 2023

Location

1567 Downtown West Blvd
Knoxville, TN 37919
https://daisysplacescrapbooks.omeka.net/

Contact

Joni Morgan
Volunteer and Scrapbooks Curator at Girl Scout1567 Downtown West Blvd Museum at Daisy’s Place
jpmorgan06@comcast.net
865-617-4353

Student Tasks

Practicum students will follow GSSD Metadata Guidelines to create metadata records for digital photos of Daisy’s Place Scrapbooks and upload data to the digital collection on the Omeka site at https://daisysplacescrapbooks.omeka.net/.

Requirement: The students must have completed all the required courses (511, 512, & 514) and INSC524 Metadata, and preferably also have taken INSC565 Digital Libraries or INSC562 Digital Curation.

Type of Mentoring Provided to the Student

Students will be mentored and supported by the curator of the scrapbooks, Joni Morgan, and the coordinator of this digital collection, Dr. Awa Zhu (SIS faculty member). Please contact both Joni and Awa if you have any questions. Thanks!

Student Interaction With Others at the Location

We will rely on email communication and occasional Zoom meetings with the mentors will be arranged.

Girl Scouts Headquarters, Knoxville, TN

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Location Description

Intern will work in Knoxville libraries, in office, and remotely.

Practicum Work Mode

Flexible / Hybrid

Semesters or Time Period Available

Summer

Location

1567 Downtown West Blvd
Knoxville, Tennessee 37919
http://www.girlscoutcsa.org

Contact

Melissa Berry
Chief Admin Officer
mberry@girlscoutcsa.org
8652444186

Student Tasks

Intern will use resources on the Internet and at libraries to (1) research and develop a grant database for potential funding opportunities for Girl Scouts and (2) create demographic community profiles for our top 15 counties. Opportunities for grant writing/proposals may be available if desired.

Type of Mentoring Provided to the Student

Intern will be mentored and supported in their career development by the Vice President of Philanthropy, a member of the Executive Team for the Girl Scouts of the Southern Appalachians.

Student Interaction With Others at the Location

Intern will have opportunities to work with others in a virtual space as well as in-person office work.

TN eCampus, Tennessee Board of Regents

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Location Description

TN eCampus is a division of TBR, the Tennessee Board of Regents – College System of Tennessee, which is the largest system of higher education in Tennessee.

Through the TN eCampus collaborative partnership, individuals considering a college education or options for accelerating degree completion have a comprehensive view of online programs and courses offered by Tennessee institutions, regardless of where or how they were developed. These online programs and courses are equivalent to those offered at physical campus locations. No differentiation is made between online and on-ground delivery on transcripts or diplomas. All participating institutions are regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) or the Council on Occupational Education (COE). Many programs have additional discipline-specific national accreditation status.

Using technology, TN eCampus aims to improve access to high-quality, affordable, student-centered learning opportunities.

Practicum Work Mode

Remote

Semesters or Time Period Available

Ongoing, not limited to a specific semester

Location

1 Bridgestone Park
Nashville, TN 37214
https://tnecampus.org/

Contact

Britt Young
End User Support Associate
byoung@tbr.edu
931-220-3896

Student Tasks

The practicum student will provide support for Campus Relations, Student Success, and operations processes and initiatives of TN eCampus by:

Collecting and analyzing data (e.g. course evaluations, student achievement, training evaluations, student/faculty surveys) for continuous process improvement for TN eCampus operations and external communications based on trends identified in the collected data;

Providing effective student-focused frontline support in identifying and resolving student issues, using triage skills to identify and resolve important or urgent issues and to escalate them properly when necessary;

Maintaining student records and interface as needed;

Assisting with crafting, implementing and analyzing student-targeted messaging, including communication plans, recruitment initiatives, social media posts, website content and communications to campus-based support teams;

Other duties as assigned.

The student will likely work with the following technology/programs (training will be provided as-needed, but some existing proficiency with Microsoft & Google software is highly beneficial):
Microsoft Teams
Microsoft Office (particularly Excel and Word)
Google Drive (particularly Sheets and Docs)
D2L Brightspace Learning Management System
Smartsheets
Slate CRM
Sprout Social
Drupal CMS

Type of Mentoring Provided to the Student

The practicum student will work in collaboration with a member of the Campus Relations or Student Success team. Together, the student and their mentor will create a list of actionable goals and learning objectives to benefit the student’s professional growth. The student will remain in frequent contact with their mentor, and they will likely also collaborate with other members of the TN eCampus staff on various projects.

Student Interaction With Others at the Location

This position is virtual; however, TN eCampus staff works collaboratively in-office on the first and third Wednesday of each month, and the practicum student is welcome to join if they wish. TN eCampus uses Microsoft Teams to collaborate and chat throughout the work day. The student will attend a biweekly virtual all hands meeting where they will have the opportunity to work with other members of the department.

Rockvale High School

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Location Description

The work site is a public high school in Rockvale, TN. We are the newest and second largest high school in the Rutherford County school system.

Practicum Work Mode

Flexible / Hybrid

Semesters or Time Period Available

Spring

Location

6545 Hwy. 99
Rockvale, TN 37153
https://rockvalehsarchives.omeka.net/

Contact

Xan Lasko
Media Specialist / Librarian
laskox@rcschools.net
16157969998

Student Tasks

This project entails archiving objects from the past and present Rockvale High School. This high school is unique in that it was opened originally in 1920’s, through WWII, and closed in the 1970’s. The school reopened in the 2019-2020 school year. We have kept a connection with the community. The graduates that are living in the community come to the games and special events. To that end, we have received and continue to receive, memorabilia from families that have been in the community. The goal is preservation and cataloging these items.

The first portion of this project was done by former UTK archival students. The next portion of the project would be to set up a system to connect or add to the current and future memorabilia to the digital archives. There are several aspects of current artifacts that we’d like to incorporate into the digital archives if possible. We have also opened access to community members on the website so that they can identify people, places, and events in the archives. This project is a type of community service for Rockvale, which remains a tightly knit community.

Type of Mentoring Provided to the Student

I will be with the student(s) each step of the way. As needed, I will guide the student(s) in locating objects, archiving expectations, and cataloging information. This would be a great opportunity for a hands-on learning experience.

Student Interaction With Others at the Location

The student(s) will have access to our administrative staff, Mr. Luker, our principal, and other faculty and students as needed. Our hope is to involve community members whenever possible.

Vanderbilt University Special Collections & University Archives

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Location Description

The Special Collections and University Archives Library is part of the Jean and Alexander Heard Libraries System. The mission of the Special Collections Library is to collect, preserve, and provide access to Vanderbilt University’s impressive collection of rare books, manuscripts, photographs, memorabilia, and institutional archives. Special Collections supplies primary resource material to a variety of local, national, and international scholars.

Practicum Work Mode

On site

Semesters or Time Period Available

Ongoing, not limited to a specific semester

Location

419 21st Ave. S
Nashville, TN 37203
https://www.library.vanderbilt.edu/specialcollections/

Contact

Mary McSparran
Curator of Manuscripts
mary.mcsparran@vanderbilt.edu
615-343-6708

Student Tasks

This practicum encompasses multiple aspects of archiving and special collections librarianship. These may include the following: completing inventories of unprocessed collections, reboxing and relabeling rare materials, completing archival processing, creating finding aids using ArchivesSpace, using our Aeon tracking system to pull materials and send them to researchers for review, and answering reference questions. Students may also assist with creating and maintaining digital collections.

Type of Mentoring Provided to the Student

I believe in hands-on learning and will guide students through the process of working in a special collections library. I will be happy to share what I learned from my own experience in library school and working at five different archives.

Student Interaction With Others at the Location

The Vanderbilt Special Collections & University Archives is very collaborative, and we all work together to make things run smoothly. Other members of the department will be on-site and available to share their expertise with practicum students.

University of Memphis Lambuth Library

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Location Description

The University of Memphis Lambuth Library is situated on the University of Memphis Lambuth campus in Jackson, TN. The library provides an extension of the university’s academic library services to Lambuth patrons including library instruction, circulation, and reference. It houses a collection of approximately 55,000 circulating monographs and the Lambuth Archives. Additionally, the Lambuth Library is a STEM Hub Lending Library circulating STEM kits to local educators.

Practicum Work Mode

On site

Semesters or Time Period Available

Ongoing, not limited to a specific semester

Location

705 Lambuth Blvd.
Jackson,, Tennessee 38301
https://www.memphis.edu/libraries/lambuthlibrary/

Contact

Lisa Reilly
Campus Librarian
lisa.reilly@memphis.edu
7314251983

Student Tasks

Depending upon their interest, the student may choose to work with the Lambuth Archives collection or the STEM Hub Lending Library collection. Student tasks involved with the Lambuth Archives include organizing and digitizing selected items with the creation of descriptive metadata. Student tasks involved with the STEM Hub Lending Library include developing promotional materials to share Lending Library information with local educators and contributing to a STEM Hub Lending Library research guide. Lending Library tasks require the student to become familiar with each unique kit and its circulation requirements.

Type of Mentoring Provided to the Student

The Campus Librarian will provide direction and assistance with tasks as needed. Project goals will be established and weekly meetings will provide opportunities for the student to update the Campus Librarian on progress and receive feedback.

Student Interaction With Others at the Location

The student will interact with the Campus Librarian and two library assistants. A student who chooses to work with the STEM Hub Lending Library collection may also interact with student STEM Ambassadors and the director of the program.

University of Tennessee at Chattanooga Special Collections

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Location Description

The Special Collections unit of the Library at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga seeks practicum students interested in working in a collaborative environment that stresses community engagement, experiential learning, open pedagogy, and a standards-based approach to curation. Practica students who successfully complete projects in Special Collections gain important transferable skills and exposure to professional software applications that help prepare them for graduate studies or careers in archival administration and records management.

Practicum Work Mode

On site

Semesters or Time Period Available

Ongoing, not limited to a specific semester

Location

600 Douglas Street
Chattanooga, TN 37411
https://www.utc.edu/library/special-collections

Contact

Carolyn Runyon
Director of Special Collections
archives@utc.edu
423-425-4503

Student Tasks

arranging and describing archival collections;
authoring biographical and historical notes that provide context for archival materials;
creating finding aids in compliance with Describing Archives: A Content Standard (DACS) and local practices using ArchivesSpace;
conducting and transcribing oral history interviews;
creating descriptive metadata and developing digital collections using CONTENTdm;
applying controlled vocabularies, including LCSH, LCNAF, AAT, and RightsStatements.org, to describe digital objects;
curating web and physical exhibitions and creating exhibition panels and catalogs;
and authoring lesson plans and instructional materials, including video tutorials, featuring local primary sources for K-12 audiences;

Type of Mentoring Provided to the Student

We create effective internships by collaborating with students to create clearly defined goals, offering feedback on projects and performance in weekly meetings, and providing opportunities for students to reflect on their experiences.

Student Interaction With Others at the Location

Practica students in Special Collections typically work closely with one of the faculty archivists in Special Collections and the Director of Special Collections. They work in an open space with other interns and student assistants completing assignments in Special Collections.

Acquisitions & Continuing Resources, University Libraries, UT Knoxville

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Location Description

Acquisitions & Continuing Resources (ACR) is responsible for purchasing, licensing, assessing accessibility, receiving, and providing access to library materials in all formats. ACR is located in John C. Hodges Library on the UT Knoxville campus. Hours may be completed either completely remotely or in a hybrid format, with initial training occurring in-person. If completing the work in a hybrid format, in-person work will occur at Hodges Library, in an office area where 20 librarians and library staff also work. Student will be supervised by the Head of Acquisitions & Continuing Resources.

Practicum Work Mode

Flexible / Hybrid

Semesters or Time Period Available

Ongoing, not limited to a specific semester

Location

1015 Volunteer Boulevard
Knoxville, TN 37996

Contact

Elyssa Gould
Head, Acquisitions & Continuing Resources
egould1@utk.edu
865-974-6908

Student Tasks

The student will learn about key areas of the electronic resources lifecycle and assist with small projects in this area. Most time will be spent on a larger project to assess licensing terms in current license agreements and update these terms in the Alma system in order to appear to users in the library catalog (OneSearch).

Type of Mentoring Provided to the Student

ACR is a collaborative and supportive environment. The student will work one-on-one with ACR staff to learn the acquisitions and licensing workflows common to the electronic resources lifecycle. Training and mentoring will be provided by several ACR staff. Weekly meetings will be scheduled with the Head of ACR for Q&A and project monitoring.

Student Interaction With Others at the Location

The student will primarily work with ACR staff who work with licensing electronic resources. By doing so, the student will receive an overview of electronic resources librarianship.

The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum

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Location Description

Applicants must apply at: https://recruiting.paylocity.com/Recruiting/Jobs/Details/1526939 by March, 15 2023.
The hourly rate for this position is $15/hr. for students pursuing a bachelor’s degree; $18/hr. for students pursuing a master’s degree or higher

Museum Overview: Located in the heart of downtown Nashville, the Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum documents and interprets the history of country music—a musical genre and culture central to the identity of the city, the state, and the nation. Accredited by the American Alliance of Museums, the Museum proudly combines subject expertise, ambitious research, and preservation of an unparalleled collection with expressions of creativity in music, art, and history. The Museum collects artifacts that illustrate the evolving history and traditions of country music and provides diverse learning opportunities through educational programs, publications, and exhibitions. The core exhibit follows the story of country music from its folk beginnings through its evolution as a commercial art form. Rotating exhibits examine a broad range of topics, from country classics to contemporary and emerging artists in American Currents. The Museum owns Hatch Show Print, a letterpress print shop opened in 1879, and it operates Historic RCA Studio B, where Elvis Presley and many others recorded.

Departmental Overview: In direct support of the mission statement of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, the Museum Services Division preserves and protects the Museum’s collections using best practices, while incorporating emerging technologies to provide access to these collections. Within Museum Services are teams of registrars, collection specialists, librarians, archivists, exhibit managers, and curators.

Practicum Work Mode

On site

Semesters or Time Period Available

Summer

Location

Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum 222 Rep. John Lewis Way S Nashville, TN 37203
Nashville, TN 37203
https://www.countrymusichalloffame.org/support/get-involved/internships

Contact

Josette Lorig
Volunteer and Intern Coordinator
jlorig@countrymusichalloffame.org
6157606564

Student Tasks

Collections Internship Overview: Collections internships are designed for a commitment of 12-18 hours per week for a minimum of 12 weeks depending on availability, with consideration given to individual university requirements. The supervisor and intern will schedule internship hours during available working hours (Monday – Thursday, 9:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. CT). Additional adjustments to this schedule will be at the discretion of the internship supervisor.
The goal of this internship is to learn the necessary skills to provide exceptional care to artifact collections, as well as the importance of proper collections care within a museum setting. The Collections intern will work closely with the team of registrars who focus on collections processing and will assist with organizing, photographing, and cataloging artifacts in the Museum’s collection, including, but not limited to, awards, clothing and accessories, document collections, and memorabilia. The intern will also learn and use collections and digital content management software, providing qualitative improvements to collections information and improving its accessibility for prospective researchers. Additionally, this work may also include research projects aimed at improving information found in these systems.

Specific Internship Duties Include:

• Create artifact inventories
• Photograph artifacts as needed
• Catalog artifacts using collections management software, specifically PastPerfect
• Label, pack, and house artifacts according to museum standards
• Assist with collection software maintenance, such as updating records and photographs
• Assist with interdepartmental projects as needed

Minimum Requirements:

• Working toward a master’s degree or higher in public history, museum studies, history, library and information science, or another related field

Preferred Requirements:

• Experience with PastPerfect or a similar collections management software
• Experience handling fragile and rare archival materials
• Basic knowledge of photography and photography equipment
• Basic knowledge of best practices in collections management policies, such as labeling artifacts, properly packing artifacts, and inventorying collections
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word and Excel
• Ability to communicate clearly and concisely, both verbally and in writing
• Ability to organize diverse materials and to identify subject matter of value
• Ability to self-motivate and work independently on projects, as well as to collaborate with a team to achieve long-term goals
• Basic knowledge of country music history, or willingness to learn

Conditions of Internship:

• Must be able to lift 25 lbs. with or without accommodations
• Internship must be completed for course credit

Type of Mentoring Provided to the Student

Prior to the start of this internship, registrar staff will meet with the Collections intern to assess goals and further focus internship duties to include skills most applicable to the intern’s educational objectives, as well as most beneficial to the collection’s needs at that time.

Student Interaction With Others at the Location

Internship Program Overview: The Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum offers paid internships to full-time college students (undergraduate and graduate) that advance the educational goals of the intern and help to promote the Museum’s mission. The Museum’s internship program offers work-based learning opportunities that introduce college students to museum-related careers and other professions found in large cultural organizations. Internships are designed for a maximum commitment of 25 hours per week for 12 weeks with consideration given to individual university requirements. Additional adjustments to the 12-week, 25-hour schedule will be at the discretion of the internship supervisor. Educational programs which operate on a quarterly basis may be accommodated. Motivated students who are seeking hands-on experiences in a team-oriented environment will find excellent opportunities at the Museum.

The application process for prospective interns includes the submission of:

• An online application for the specific internship you are applying for via our internal hiring system
• A resume
• A one-page cover letter. It is recommended that your cover letter explain how your education and experience will contribute positively to this internship and how this internship relates to your academic pursuits and/or career goals

What We Offer Interns:

• The hourly rate for this position is $15/hr. for students pursuing a bachelor’s degree; $18/hr. for students pursuing a master’s degree or higher
• Free 24/7 downtown parking or WeGo bus pass
• Complimentary admission to the Museum for yourself
• Two complimentary Museum admission passes for friends and family use
• Free guided tour of Hatch Show Print, Historic RCA Studio B, and the Museum’s galleries
• Discounts at Museum stores and restaurants
• Free or discounted entry to local venues including: National Museum of African American Music, the Opry, Ryman Auditorium, and more!
• Fun, friendly, and supportive learning environment

Black in Appalachia

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Location Description

Black in Appalachia: Research, Education & Support is a non-profit that works in collaboration with public media, residents, university departments, libraries, archives and community organizations to highlight the history and contributions of African-Americans in the development of the Mountain South and its culture. We do that through research, local narratives, public engagement and exhibition. Black in Appalachia is a community service for Appalachian residents and families with roots in the region.

Practicum Work Mode

Flexible / Hybrid

Semesters or Time Period Available

Ongoing, not limited to a specific semester

Location

8004 East Andrew Johnson Hwy
Whitesburg, TN 37891
https://www.blackinappalachia.org/

Contact

William Isom
Director
info@blackinappalachia.org
423-277-7162

Student Tasks

Practicum student would work to digitize, catalogue, clean-up and upload varied historic materials gathered from residents and regional institutions related to Black history. Utilizing the Omeka platform, items are then made available to the general public. There may be some opportunities for engagement and field work with residents in East Tennessee, Southwestern Virginia and Eastern Kentucky.

Type of Mentoring Provided to the Student

Mentoring provided will include familiarity with, context and scope of specific, project-related Black communities in the region, as well as community-led interpretation of materials and narratives. Additional mentoring will include file management, Photoshop, Adobe Acrobat techniques.

Student Interaction With Others at the Location

Student can work remotely with weekly check-in’s in person or via Zoom. Student can also choose to work and utilize office space at our Whitesburg Field Office.

Cheekwood Estate & Gardens

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Location Description

The mission of Cheekwood is to preserve a historical landmark where beauty and excellence in art and horticulture stimulate the mind and nurture the spirit. Ever since opening its doors in 1960, Cheekwood has been a leader in the local arts scene, sharing exhibitions with the public and caring for a permanent collection including works by noteworthy Tennessee artists Ralph E.W. Earl, Willie Betty Newman, and William Edmonson. Cheekwood’s role as a purveyor of visual art is accompanied by our history as a community anchor where multiple generations of Nashvillians have benefitted from our educational offerings and participated in our community programs. From the early 1960s until the early 2000s, much of this rich history was carefully catalogued and archived in our library. However, the past fifteen years of Cheekwood’s activities have not been preserved with the same care and attention.

Cheekwood’s archives have been essentially neglected since the departure of a full-time Librarian. The existing archives furthermore cannot remain in their current location, as the Art Library is being converted back into a 1930s recreation room as part of our historical initiatives. Within the past year, the museum staff at Cheekwood has assessed the situation and drafted a simple strategic plan for revitalizing our archival collections and increasing public access to this information. Interns will play a crucial role in helping to organize and establish archival holdings through the processing of collections and creation of online exhibits.

Practicum Work Mode

On site

Semesters or Time Period Available

Spring

Location

1200 Forrest Park Drive
Nashville, TN 37205
https://cheekwood.org/

Contact

Robert Spinelli
Archivist
rspinelli@cheekwood.org
(615) 354-6384

to apply: https://tinyurl.com/3ajv6vbk

[you will also need to fill out the practicum application to earn course credit]

Student Tasks

Cheekwood’s archives internship aims to fulfill its mission by working on archival processing and description or digital capture and metadata projects. We create effective internships by collaborating with students to create clearly defined goals, offering feedback on projects and performance in weekly meetings, and providing opportunities for students to reflect on their experiences. Archives stresses a standards-based approach to digitization and description and uses archival and digital asset management systems commonly adopted by galleries, libraries, archives, and museums (GLAMs) in the United States.

Duties may include:
• arranging and describing archival collections;
• authoring biographical and historical notes that provide context for archival materials;
• creating finding aids in compliance with Describing Archives: A Content Standard (DACS) and local practices using ArchivesSpace;
• creating descriptive metadata and developing digital collections using Omeka;
• curating web and physical exhibitions and creating exhibition panels and catalogs;
• conducting research and writing narratives for grant applications

Type of Mentoring Provided to the Student

Students will perform work both in conjunction with the archivist and independently. Progress will be monitored via weekly meetings and students should expect open communications at all times. Crossover work with museum staff including the curator and registrar is possible.

Student Interaction With Others at the Location

The Archives Intern will work closely with the museum archivist as well as with the Curator and Vice President of Museum Affairs. Their work environment will include working within a temperature controlled archival space in our historic Mansion as well as at our off-site storage facility. This intern will have the opportunity to spend time in Cheekwood’s gardens and mansion and gain appreciation for the particularities of working within a historic site.

Knoxville-Knox County Community Action Committee (CAC)

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Location Description

We are part of America’s poverty fighting network and have been in Knoxville since 1964. We have over 10 departments, 65 programs, and 450 employees.

The Knoxville-Knox County Community Action Committee (CAC) is a local public agency serving the community with a comprehensive range of federal, state, and locally funded programs. It is a part of the nation’s premier network in building communities, servicing families, and advocating opportunities for low-income people. CAC promotes family self-sufficiency and independent living for low-income and other vulnerable people through caring and efficient delivery of needed services and the development of partnerships at all levels.

Since 1964, when it was created by Knox County and the City of Knoxville, CAC has served to uphold its commitment: Helping People and Changing Lives. CAC is locally governed by a diverse group of citizens who represent the people served by CAC, low-income neighborhoods, government, and the community at large.

Practicum Work Mode

Flexible / Hybrid

Semesters or Time Period Available

Ongoing, not limited to a specific semester

Location

2247 Western Avenue
Knoxville, Tennessee 37705
http://www.knoxcac.org/newweb/

Contact

Lisa Higginbotham
Special Projects Director
lisa.higginbotham@knoxcac.org
8655463500

Student Tasks

We need an Information Sciences Student to help us in several areas:
*Organize and archive our extensive history including helping coordinate staff interviews, community stories, and create an interactive timeline to result in a print publication
*Help us create internal office 365 Teams/Sharepoint HUBs for both training archives and HR documents (policy, forms, etc).
*Source data for our Needs Assessment and grants
*Design infograhics related to data/ research for our website

Type of Mentoring Provided to the Student

The CAC Special Projects Director, Lisa Higginbotham, MSSW would provide supervision.

Student Interaction With Others at the Location

We have over 10 departments, 65+ programs, and 450+ employees. Our service areas include low to moderate income Knoxville-Knox County residents seeking social services. We serve persons experiencing life-domains such as homelessness, housing instabililty, aging, mental health, limited income, etc. Services include:
Utility Assistance
Rental Assistance
Office on Aging
Nutrition
Urban Agriculture
Housing and Energy
Neighborhood Centers
Employment/ Workforce Developement
Head Start
AmericCorps
Free Income Taxes

John C. Hodges Library, 1015 Volunteer Blvd., Knoxville, TN 37996

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Location Description

The Health Sciences Librarian (HSL) Team is based at John C. Hodges Library, located in the center of the UT Knoxville campus. Most of the practicum hours will be completed on-site at Hodges Library, in an office area where 16 librarians and library staff also work. Some practicum hours can be completed remotely, as determined by the HSL Team. Students will be supervised by two Health Sciences Librarians.

Practicum Work Mode

Flexible / Hybrid

Semesters or Time Period Available

Ongoing, not limited to a specific semester

Location

1015 Volunteer Blvd.
Knoxville, TN 37996
https://www.lib.utk.edu/

Contact

Melanie Dixson & Niki Cobb
Health Sciences Librarians
hslibs@utk.edu
865-974-4700

Student Tasks

Students will gain hands-on experience with various aspects of health sciences librarianship, including providing reference services and research support for health sciences programs (including Nursing, Nutrition, Public Health, and Audiology & Speech Pathology). Under the direction of the HSL Team, students will learn how to develop high-level search strategies in subject-specific databases for researchers studying various health-related topics. Students will also assist the HSL Team with tasks related to collection development, synchronous online and in-person instructional sessions and consultations, research guides, and online tutorials. Students will also have opportunities to learn more about emerging technologies surrounding health sciences, including the Anatomage Table and related anatomy-based learning tools. Additionally, students will attend select library committee and health sciences departmental meetings as opportunities arise.

Type of Mentoring Provided to the Student

Liaison Programs foster a collaborative and supportive environment, and liaison librarians frequently mentor students interested in academic librarianship. The Health Sciences Librarian Team will train and mentor students in areas vital to health sciences librarianship, including advanced research support, library instruction, collection development, scholarly communication, and professional development. In addition to training, students will regularly meet with the Health Sciences Librarians to ask questions and discuss practicum progress.

Student Interaction With Others at the Location

Students will interact with other liaison librarians and library staff within Liaison Programs and other library departments. Students may also correspond with university students and faculty in health sciences and departments by email, phone, or chat as needed.

Blount County Public Library

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Location Description

Adult Services Department
Blount County Public Library
508 N. Cusick St.
Maryville, TN 37803

Practicum Work Mode

On site

Semesters or Time Period Available

Fall

Location

508 N. Cusick St.
Maryville, TN 37804
https://www.blounttn.org/197/Public-Library

Contact

Kathleen Christy
Adult Services Manager
kchristy@blounttn.org
8653874647

Student Tasks

• Provide excellent face-to-face customer service to support the information access and educational needs of customers
• Provide one-on-one technological instruction and assistance to patrons as needed, including but not limited to: troubleshooting computer problems; scanner; databases; internet searches and genealogy research
• Under the oversight of a professional librarian, the student will work on a project which will be decided by the Manager of the Adult Services Department and the student based on the student’s needs and goals.

Possibilities include:
• Assess reference collection, make recommendations for weeding, and provide suggestions to replace the weeded items
• Prepare and teach adult workshops on technology and library resources
• Update current library guides / instructions

Type of Mentoring Provided to the Student

The student will work with other librarians while at the reference desk. This will allow the student to gain from their varied experiences. He/she will learn how to become part of a team.
Depending on the project chosen, the student will work under the guidance of a specific librarian.

Student Interaction With Others at the Location

As a public library, we serve patrons from a variety of ages, interests and technological skills, allowing the student to develop skills interacting with a wide variety of people.
The student will interact with a supportive department, and I anticipate that his/her experiences interacting with the other library departments will be a positive experience.

Acquisitions & Continuing Resources, University Libraries, UT Knoxville

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Location Description

Acquisitions & Continuing Resources (ACR) is responsible for purchasing, licensing, assessing accessibility, receiving, and providing access to library materials in all formats. ACR is located in John C. Hodges Library on the UT Knoxville campus. Hours may be completed in a hybrid format, with initial training occurring in-person. In-person work will occur at Hodges Library, in an office area where 20 librarians and library staff also work. Student will be supervised by the Head of Acquisitions & Continuing Resources.

Practicum Work Mode

Flexible / Hybrid

Semesters or Time Period Available

Summer

Location

1015 Volunteer Boulevard
Knoxville, TN 37919

Contact

Elyssa Gould
Head, Acquisitions & Continuing Resources
egould1@utk.edu
865-974-6908

Student Tasks

The student will learn about key areas of the electronic resources lifecycle and assist with small projects in this area. Most time will be spent on a larger project to assess licensing terms in current license agreements and update these terms in the Alma system in order to appear to users in the library catalog (OneSearch).

Type of Mentoring Provided to the Student

ACR is a collaborative and supportive environment. The student will work one-on-one with ACR staff to learn the acquisitions and licensing workflows common to the electronic resources lifecycle. Training and mentoring will be provided by several ACR staff. Weekly meetings will be scheduled with the Head of ACR for Q&A and project monitoring.

Student Interaction With Others at the Location

The student will primarily work with ACR staff who work with licensing electronic resources. By doing so, the student will receive an overview of electronic resources librarianship.

Woodward Library / Austin Peay State University

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Location Description

Woodward Library is an academic library that serves the students, faculty, and staff at Austin Peay State University and the Austin Peay Center at Fort Campbell. Austin Peay State University is located in Clarksville, TN, approximately 50 miles north of Nashville.

Practicum Work Mode

On site

Semesters or Time Period Available

Ongoing, not limited to a specific semester

Location

601 College St
Clarksville, TN 37044
https://library.apsu.edu/

Contact

Nicole Wood
Resource Management Librarian
woodn@apsu.edu
931-221-7387

Student Tasks

Woodward Library recently inherited 70 bound volumes and a box of microfilm from the Robert F. Sink Memorial Library. The content of the collection is largely composed of archival copies of the Fort Campbell Courier, a weekly newspaper published by the Public Affairs Office of Fort Campbell, KY. The practicum student will create bibliographic and item records for these serials under the guidance of Woodward Library faculty and staff. If time permits, the student may also help create bibliographic records for born-digital theses.

Type of Mentoring Provided to the Student

The student will work in collaboration with the Resource Management Librarian. On their first day, the student will shadow the Resource Management Librarian. After this, the student will be able to create records on their own, while the Resource Management Librarian provides direct feedback. Options for mentoring include instruction on MARC records, cataloging standards, and OCLC Connexion, depending on the student’s level of expertise.

Student Interaction With Others at the Location

The student will work primarily with the Resource Management Librarian. They may occasionally work with library’s IT Analyst.

Collections at Virginia Tech University Libraries

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Location Description

The University Libraries plays an essential role in furthering Virginia Tech’s mission as a global land-grant university by providing access to a plethora of resources in varying disciplines.

We strive to share information and knowledge regardless of geographic, institutional, or financial barriers, through our growing open data and research repositories.

Overall, our goal is to foster innovation, discovery, creativity, and collaboration through our spaces, technology, services, and people.

Practicum Work Mode

Flexible / Hybrid

Semesters or Time Period Available

Ongoing, not limited to a specific semester

Location

Carol M. Newman Library, Virginia Tech 560 Drillfield Drive
Blacksburg, VA 24061
https://lib.vt.edu/

Contact

Nitra Eastby
Collections Strategist
neastby@vt.edu
540-231-8936

Student Tasks

The student will, research the communities served by a defined collection in the University Libraries, explore methods to assess a collection through the lens of diversity, equity, and inclusion, gather necessary data and define metrics for a collection assessment, apply collection analysis methods to a defined collection, report on findings, and make collection development recommendations.

Type of Mentoring Provided to the Student

The student will meet with the Collections Strategist and the Life Science, Agriculture, and Scholarly Communication Librarian to establish practicum goals and objectives. On a biweekly basis, the student will meet with the Collections Strategist to discuss progress towards the project goals and identify what additional support is needed.

Student Interaction With Others at the Location

The student may work on-site, remotely, or any combination of the two, and will have regular meetings with the Collections Strategist. The Collections Strategist is also readily available to provide information and answer questions the student may have. Communication with the others in the University Libraries or in the broader Virginia Tech community is not a requirement, but it is welcomed if such communications are beneficial for meeting the project goals.

Jonesborough Storytelling Resource PLace

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Location Description

“The Storytelling Resource Place located in Jonesborough is a nonprofit center that holds storytelling materials including books, records, audio cassettes, and other materials relating to storytelling and the history of storytelling.

Most, if not all work will be done at this location.”

Practicum Work Mode

On site

Semesters or Time Period Available

Ongoing, not limited to a specific semester

Location

200 E. Sabin Drive
Jonesborough, TN 37659

Contact

Richard Griffin
Library Director
rgriffin@wclibrarytn.org
4237531800

Student Tasks

“A student could be expected to assist with cataloging or indexing storytelling-related materials as well as digitizing oral storytelling cassettes.

There may be some programing related duties but this should be limited. ”

Type of Mentoring Provided to the Student

Most of the mentoring will be done by the Storytelling Resource PLace Director as needed but I will be available to any student intern as needed.

Student Interaction With Others at the Location

“The Storytelling Resource Place has a director who is a retired professor from ETSU and a staff librarian. There will also be a number of volunteers and storytellers.

The Washington County Library will provide any assistance as needed.”

Upper Cumberland Development District

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Location Description

The work site is an office building.

Practicum Work Mode

On site

Semesters or Time Period Available

Fall, Spring

Location

1103 England Drive
Cookeville, TN 38501

Contact

Chuck Sutherland
Director of Informatics
csutherland@ucdd.org
931-265-8752

Student Tasks

The student is expected to gather, clean, visualize, and analyze spatial and aspatial data to be displayed on a web portal using ESRI platforms, Google Suite, and possible Tableau.

Type of Mentoring Provided to the Student

The student will learn basic data mining techniques and statistical analysis using demographic and economic data.

Student Interaction With Others at the Location

The student will be working with the communications team (three individuals), as well as myself.

Rockvale High School

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Location Description

The work site is a public high school in Rockvale, TN. We are the newest and largest school in the Rutherford County school system.

Practicum Work Mode

On site

Semesters or Time Period Available

Fall, Spring

Location

6545 Hwy. 99
Rockvale, TN 37153

Contact

Xan Lasko
Library Media Specialist
laskox@rcschools.net
615-848-6500

Student Tasks

“Rockvale High School Archival Project Parameter

This project entails archiving objects from the past and present of Rockvale High School. This high school is unique in that it was opened in 1920’s, through WWII, and closed in the 1970’s. It was reopened with us as the newest high school in Rutherford County again at the beginning of the 2019-2020 school year. We have kept the connection to the community. The graduates that are still around from the original high school come to games and special events even today. To that end, we have received a lot of memorabilia from families that have been in the community. What we would like to do is preserve and catalog these memorabilia that include video interviews, pictures, trophies, spirit flags, yearbooks, etc. We were hoping to possibly even identify some people in the school pictures as well. All of these treasures have either been donated by individuals, families, or were stored at the Rockvale Community Center.
The next portion of the project would be to set up a system to connect this project of Rockvale’s past with the current school. Our principal, Mr. Luker, wants to add on our current school memorabilia and artifacts from last year’s inaugural reopening class and moving forward. Finally, we’d like to have all these things from Rockvale’s past and present online for the community to see – kind of like a community service. Some of these videos are posted on our website, however, I don’t think they are cataloged anywhere. I might also pull or get access to reopening articles for the current school. There was a lot of publicity about it. This might also entail working with our yearbook sponsor too. We have a student that has done all the video recordings since 2019, who is still attending school and might be a good resource as well. ”

Type of Mentoring Provided to the Student

I will be with the student each step of the way. As needed, I will guide the student in locating, archiving, and cataloging the information. I believe this will be a great learning opportunity for a hands-on learning experience.

Student Interaction With Others at the Location

The student will have access to our administrative staff, namely Principal Steve Luker, as well as the faculty and students. Our hope also is to have some involvement with former students of the first Rockvale High School.

University of Memphis Lambuth Library

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Location Description

The University of Memphis Lambuth Library is situated on the University of Memphis Lambuth campus in Jackson, TN. The library provides an extension of academic library services to Lambuth patrons including library instruction, circulation, and reference. It houses a collection of approximately 70,000 monographs.

Practicum Work Mode

On site

Semesters or Time Period Available

Spring

Location

705 Lambuth Blvd.
Jackson,, Tennessee 38301

Contact

Lisa Reilly
University of Memphis Campus Librarian
lisa.reilly@memphis.edu
731-425-1983

Student Tasks

Some of the tasks the practicum student will be expected to perform are organizing items in the archives, digitizing selected items, and assisting with weeding of items from the regular circulating collection.

Type of Mentoring Provided to the Student

I will provide direction and assistance with all processes. As the student feels comfortable more independence will be offered.

Student Interaction With Others at the Location

The student will mainly be interacting with me and potentially the university Special Collections Librarian. On occasion the student will be interacting with other library staff especially during the weeding process.

East Tennessee PBS

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Location Description

East Tennessee PBS is a non-profit, public television station located in East Knoxville. This fully equipped media station contains a production studio, editing suites and a podcast studio. There is an additional Field Office in Whitesburg, rural Hamblen County.

Practicum Work Mode

Remote

Semesters or Time Period Available

Ongoing, not limited to a specific semester

Location

1611 East Magnolia Avenue
Knoxville, TN 37917

Contact

William Isom II
Director
info@blackinappalachia.org
423-277-7162

Student Tasks

Practicum student would work to catalogue, clean-up and upload varied historic materials gathered from residents and regional institutions related to Black history. Utilizing the Omeka platform, items are then made available to the general public. There may be some opportunities for engagement and field work with residents in East Tennessee, Southwestern Virginia and Eastern Kentucky.

Type of Mentoring Provided to the Student

Mentoring provided will include familiarity with, context and scope of specific, project-related Black communities in the region, as well as community-led interpretation of materials and narratives. Additional mentoring will include file management, Photoshop, Adobe Acrobat techniques.

Student Interaction With Others at the Location

Largely dependent on current community health needs and pandemic requirements, student should be able to work remotely with weekly check-in’s in person or via Zoom. Student can also choose to work and utilize office spaces at our Knoxville studio and Whitesburg Field Office.

International Soil Carbon Network (ISCN)

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Location Description

The International Soil Carbon Network is an international organization of soil researchers organized around creating data products.

Practicum Work Mode

Remote

Semesters or Time Period Available

Ongoing, not limited to a specific semester

Location

n/a

FL 32611

Contact

Katherine Todd-Brown
Data coordinator (ISCN) and Assistant Professor (ESSIE, UFlorida)
ktoddbrown@ufl.edu
207-240-3238

Student Tasks

The student will assist in creating meta data, registering data products with a repository like EDI or ESS-DIVE, and continued development of an R package to access data products. Related project that are mutually agreed upon may come up over time.

Type of Mentoring Provided to the Student

I will provide weekly mentoring meetings with the student as well as be available daily via email and Slack for any questions concerning the work.

Student Interaction With Others at the Location

Student will meet with the ISCN steering committee regularly and present their work to the broader ISCN community during a community call. The student will also be involved specialty calls around soil ontology development that are being lead by the ISCN and involve researchers from ESIP, DataOne, and the international community.

Oak Ridge Public Library

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Location Description

Oak Ridge Public Library is an independent, full service, public library in downtown Oak Ridge,TN. Student will assist in the Patron Services department, which largely serves adults and teenagers. Student will provide excellent customer service, field calls, create, modify, and reconcile patron accounts, assist patrons with fine and fee payments, and help them navigate microfilm, computers, copiers, and other library equipment. There may occasionally be other duties as assigned, such as shelving or assisting with departmental projects.

Practicum Work Mode

On site

Semesters or Time Period Available

Ongoing, not limited to a specific semester

Location

1401 Oak Ridge Turnpike
Oak Ridge, Tennessee 37830

Contact

Virginia Bayne
Patron & Community Services Librarian
gbayne@oakridgetn.gov
(865) 425-3455

Student Tasks

Tasks include learning basic Patron Services tasks, such as providing Reader’s Advisory, maintaining the accurate flow of materials, assisting patrons, locating items, placing holds, renewing items, and paying fees. Practicum student will work closely with Patron Services staff and have multiple supervisors teaching him/her frontline desk staff skills and evaluating the work product.

Type of Mentoring Provided to the Student

The student will be mentored by many staff members with a wide depth of experience and longevity in librarianship. The student will gain first hand knowledge and experience of best practices in desk operations, cash handling, and skillfully handling a wide array of patron interactions.

Student Interaction With Others at the Location

The student will work alongside other frontline staff members, be given the opportunity to attend staff meetings and be included in other departmental projects and processes, when appropriate.

UTHSC Library Historical Collections

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Location Description

The University of Tennessee Health Science Center Library’s Historical Collections include rare and antiquarian books, manuscript collections, documents, photographs, and artifacts documenting the history of the health sciences, particularly in Tennessee and Mid-South region.

Practicum Work Mode

On site

Semesters or Time Period Available

Ongoing, not limited to a specific semester

Location

877 Madison Ave. Room 312
Memphis, TN 38163

Contact

Jennifer Langford
Archivist/Special Collections Librarian
jwelch30@uthsc.edu
901-448-5051

Student Tasks

“Students will have the opportunity to participate in numerous archival processes, including arrangement, description, cataloging, and digitization, and conducting reference research. Specific tasks include:
Processing manuscript collections
Creating DACS-compliant finding aids
Scanning photographs and documents
Creating delimited metadata
Researching individuals
Assisting in policy development and refinement
Physically organizing collection materials
Creating indexes of materials
Rehousing materials
Uploading materials to the campus institutional repository ”

Type of Mentoring Provided to the Student

Students will receive guidance and instruction on all assignments that demonstrate the archival theories and standards used in assignments. Students will also receive detailed feedback on all assignments.

Student Interaction With Others at the Location

The UTHSC Library is a team-based environment. Practicum students will work primarily with the archivist, but will have the opportunity to work on projects with other faculty and library staff.

Newman Library at Virginia Tech

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Location Description

“The University Libraries play an essential role in furthering Virginia Tech’s mission as a global land-grant university by providing access to a plethora of resources in varying disciplines.

We strive to share information and knowledge regardless of geographic, institutional, or financial barriers, through our growing open data and research repositories.

Overall, our goal is to foster innovation, discovery, creativity, and collaboration through our spaces, technology, services, and people. ”

Practicum Work Mode

On site

Semesters or Time Period Available

Ongoing, not limited to a specific semester

Location

560 Drillfield Drive
Blacksburg, Virginia 24060

Contact

Inga Haugen
Agriculture, Life Sciences, and Scholarly Communication Librarian
ihaugen@vt.edu
540-231-7546

Student Tasks

Creating robust metadata and other framing information/finding resources for the digital objects we’re creating as we digitize the items from the founding of FFA. This is a unique collection that will need specific resources built for it. The specific needs of the collection and how to best serve them will surface as we get into the project.

Type of Mentoring Provided to the Student

Negotiable with the student- at a minimum there will be a weekly touch base about the project, and 2 specific meetings to talk about professional development. Currently, I envision a supervisory relationship in connection to the project, and a mentoring/coaching connection along side the project for the student’s needs as they move to being a peer in the field.

Student Interaction With Others at the Location

Variable, but at a minimum, one person in Special Collections and one person in Digital Imaging within the Library, and Inga Haugen as the liaison and project lead. Additionally, at least one person in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. The student can have the opportunity to interface more- and potentially attend other events the Library and College host- some of them are offered for remote attendees.

Heard Libraries, Vanderbilt University

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Location Description

Academic library, research university: this practicum will engage multiple library venues (digital scholarship and scholarly communications, liaisons and outreach), but will be based in the Divinity Library at Vanderbilt University (which is connected to our Central Library, the largest branch).

Practicum Work Mode

On site

Semesters or Time Period Available

Ongoing, not limited to a specific semester

Location

419 21st Avenue South 215A
Nashville, TN 37212

Contact

Bobby Smiley
Acting Director, Divinity Library, Heard Libraries, Vanderbilt University
bobby.smiley@vanderbilt.edu
323-496-7140

Student Tasks

The practicum is designed for those who are interested in scholarly communication and digital scholarship, focusing principally on institutional repositories and metadata. The student would be assigned to an extant, but developing project on faculty publications. The work encompasses anything from creating metadata for faculty work, producing MODS records, exploring copyright, and learning about the operational side of maintaining and publicizing an IR, such as ingesting new material and promoting resources. Naturally, student interest in allied areas would be supported, and ad hoc activities could be arranged.

Type of Mentoring Provided to the Student

As part of the practicum, the student would have regular (ideally fortnightly, if not weekly) meetings with a mentor librarian(s). The goal is to help students to leverage the intellectual labor of library school in an applied environment, while also introducing them to academic library culture, and professional advancement and development in this context.

Student Interaction With Others at the Location

The student will work closely with our IR and Scholarly Communication Librarian, Data Curation Post-Doc, the Acting Director of the Divinity Library, as well as our metadata specialists in the Divinity Library. Additionally, the practicum will introduce the student to our Digital Scholarship team and the Divinity Library staff, and encourage attendance at departmental meetings when appropriate.

University Libraries, UT Knoxville

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Location Description

The John C. Hodges Library on the UT campus is a bustling library serving over 28,000 students and 1,700 faculty. Most of the practicum hours will be on-site at Hodges Library, in an office area where 10 librarians and library staff also work. Students will be supervised by the scholarly communication librarian. There is an option to complete 1/3 of all work hours off-site.

Practicum Work Mode

Remote

Semesters or Time Period Available

Ongoing, not limited to a specific semester

Location

1015 Volunteer Blvd.
Knoxville, TN 37996-1000

Contact

Rachel Caldwell
Scholarly Communication and Publishing Librarian
rachelcaldwell@utk.edu
8659746107

Student Tasks

“Under the direction of the scholarly communication librarian, students will use data and services from ORCID, Sherpa Romeo, dissem.in, and the like in order to communicate with UT faculty about submitting research publications to the university’s open archive (institutional repository), TRACE.

Upload files to the repository after checking copyright status and publication agreement terms.

Search faculty pages and/or scrape websites to identify faculty who serve as reviewers and/or editors of academic journals.”

Type of Mentoring Provided to the Student

Students will receive training and mentoring related to copyright in academic publishing, open access publishing and archiving, institutional repositories, and interpersonal communication. In addition to training, students will meet weekly or biweekly with the scholarly communication librarian to discuss progress and ask questions.

Student Interaction With Others at the Location

Students will work near other librarians and library staff. Students will communicate with university faculty in various colleges and departments by email and/or phone.

Virginia Tech University Libraries

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Location Description

“The University Libraries play an essential role in furthering Virginia Tech’s mission as a global land-grant university by providing access to a plethora of resources in varying disciplines.

We strive to share information and knowledge regardless of geographic, institutional, or financial barriers, through our growing open data and research repositories.
Overall, our goal is to foster innovation, discovery, creativity, and collaboration through our spaces, technology, services, and people. ”

Practicum Work Mode

On site

Semesters or Time Period Available

Ongoing, not limited to a specific semester

Location

560 Drillfield Dr
Blacksburg, VA 24061

Contact

Inga Haugen
Agriculture, Life Sciences, and Scholarly Communication Librarian
ihaugen@vt.edu
540.231.7546

Student Tasks

Projects can span a spectrum within scholarly communication, including IR and digitization. Other areas of work are historical preservation of unique materials, particularly of Extension and AREC (research farms) areas; creation of online modules for extended campus stakeholders; collection assessment; teaching and pedagogy.

Type of Mentoring Provided to the Student

One on one peer mentoring, tailored to the project. Projects will be directed by student’s interests, and project metrics will be co-created with the student and myself.

Student Interaction With Others at the Location

This depends on the nature of the project; it could be extensive, or limited to a few people.

Blount County Archives

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Location Description

Blount County Archives is located in Maryville, TN. Our storage space holds 7,500 linear feet of material in a temperature controlled environment. We also have research and work space for patrons and staff.

Practicum Work Mode

On site

Semesters or Time Period Available

Spring

Location

1229 McArthur Road
Maryville,Tennessee 37804-2685
https://www.blounttn.org/178/Records-Management

Contact

Amanda Touchstone
Archivist & Records Manager
atouchstone@blounttn.org
865-380-4296

Student Tasks

Practicum students will have the opportunity to closely engage with many aspects of archives and records management work. Projects and tasks include, but are not limited to:
-Reference work
-Collection inventory
-Collection processing
-Reviewing retention schedules
-Administrative duties
-Shifting, re-boxing, and organizing

Type of Mentoring Provided to the Student

Practicum supervisor will provide on-site work space and work closely with the student throughout the duration of the semester. Supervisor will tailor the work assignments as much as possible to the type of archival work experience desired by the student. The practicum supervisor is a graduate of the SIS program at UTK and previously worked for UTK Special Collections for six years.

Student Interaction With Others at the Location

Student will be working closely with the practicum supervisor, but will have their own work space. There will also be interaction with other staff and/or students.

The Bottom Knoxville

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Location Description

Named after the Black neighborhoods and business centers in East Knoxville that were demolished in the 1950s by urban renewal and institutionalized racism, The Bottom now stands as a place to reclaim community. The Bottom stands as a multi-use place to foster change and provide comfort. The Bottom is a hub to get plugged into the local black community, whether you're local or new to town. The Bottom is currently home to The Community Podcast Studio, Bookshop at The Bottom & a workshop for our Sew It Sell It youth program. This practicum will be focused on the newly created Elandria Williams Research and Reading Room, which will house community archives and a reference collection.

Practicum Work Mode

Flexible / Hybrid

Semesters or Time Period Available

Spring

Location

2340 E Magnolia Ave
Knoxville, TN 37917
https://www.thebottomknox.com/

Contact

Ericka Patillo
volunteer
epatillo@utk.edu
865-974-2148

Student Tasks

-Based on the mission of The Bottom and the Elandria Williams Research and Reading Room, create a collection development policy for the community archives and reference collection; include a gift policy and create a deed of gift form.
-Evaluate the current collection (less than 200 donated books; determine if they fall in the scope and mission. There is no use of the collection to evaluate yet).
-Complete a community analysis to help determine the scope and use of the collections.
-Determine a feasible cataloging system for the collections, and catalog the monographs currently held in the reference collection.

Requires a student who has completed 560 Development and Management of Collections and/or 564 Archives and Records Management. There is some flexibility in the specific tasks, for example, if you are more interested in archives, the practicum can focus on that aspect of the collection.

This practicum is relevant to MSIS Program Outcomes 3, 6, 8, and 9.

Type of Mentoring Provided to the Student

The work will be facilitated by Dr. Ericka Patillo, long-time academic librarian and instructor of INSC 560 Development and Management of Collections, who volunteers weekly at The Bottom. The student will be advised throughout the entire process but will also be able to work independently. The practicum deliverables are similar to many parts of the DYC from 560. Dr. Patillo will be available to the student up to 2 hours per week to discuss and review standards and deliverables.

Student Interaction With Others at the Location

The student will be able to and will be encouraged to interact with employees, volunteers, and community members at The Bottom. For example, many of these people will be available to interview as part of the community analysis. These are some of the folks who built The Bottom, and who will be using the collections.

Information International Associates

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Location Description

Information International Associates (IIA) is a contractor for the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Scientific and Technical Information (DOE OSTI). DOE OSTI, a unit of the Office of Science, fulfills agency-wide responsibilities to collect, preserve, and disseminate both unclassified and classified scientific and technical information (STI) emanating from DOE-funded research and development (R&D) activities at DOE national laboratories and facilities and at universities and other institutions nationwide. OSTI provides access to DOE STI through a suite of web-based, searchable discovery tools and through other commonly used search engines, offering ever-expanding sources of R&D information to DOE, the research community, and the science-attentive public.
As the information repository for DOE-funded STI, DOE OSTI has many of the same functions as a digital library. We have a team of information scientists focused on curating their extensive collection of DOE research results, including accepted manuscripts, technical reports, patents, and theses.

Practicum Work Mode

Remote

Semesters or Time Period Available

Fall 2021 and/or Spring 2022

Location

1 Science.gov Way
Oak Ridge, TN 37830
https://www.osti.gov/

Contact

Daphne Evans
Team Lead, Information Science and Quality Assurance
evansd@osti.gov
865-201-0245

Student Tasks

Contribute to the curation of metadata for various types of research products, including accepted manuscripts, technical reports, and patents.
Contribute to the curation of metadata for images extracted from research products.
Participate in various information science research projects as needed.
Review and contribute to the creation of collection curation guidance.
Various projects related to collection improvement.

Type of Mentoring Provided to the Student

The student will be mentored by multiple members of the information science team. Many of our team members are graduate of the program.

Student Interaction With Others at the Location

Currently, we are in full telework mode. We communicate frequently daily via Teams, Zoom, email, and phone. At some point, we may change to onsite, but that has not been decided yet. A practicum student would work very closely with the information science team.

King Family Library

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Location Description

Location is the King Family Library in Sevierville, TN. The facility is 48,000 square feet over 3 floors, with specialized service desks throughout the building including: first floor circulation, business center, meeting rooms, and cafe; second floor first reference desk (adult fiction), children's room, teen room, grand reading room with volunteer station, and meeting room; third floor with makerspace/creative commons, second reference desk (adult non-fiction), history center, study rooms, meeting room, and Friends book store. We have an outdoor green space with a community garden and pergola/sitting areas.

Practicum Work Mode

On site

Semesters or Time Period Available

Ongoing, not limited to a specific semester

Location

408 High Street
Sevierville, TN 37862
https://www.sevierlibrary.org/

Contact

Rhonda Tippitt
Sevier County Public Library System
rtippitt@sevierlibrary.org
865-365-1416

Student Tasks

The students would have the opportunity to work at all of the service desks, learning the variety of tasks (circulation duties, reference research, reader's advisory, children's, teen, and adult programs, technology including basic to robotics/media lab, and more) performed in each area by staff and have the opportunity to interact with patrons on a real time basis, assisting them to find answers to meet their needs. Students would also have the option to work with the library director to create a specialized experience that targets areas of interest or study focus. This could be in conjunction with the overall experience after visiting and working at all our service points or as a stand alone program.

Type of Mentoring Provided to the Student

Mentoring will be provided at every level of the student's experience, including meetings with the director to answer questions and explore the library system with a thorough tour and discussion. The manager and supervisors at service points would provide training and guided experience in all aspects of library service that we provide as well as answer questions and provide feedback throughout the experience. We will be happy to provide a project opportunity if the student wishes to take on a leadership role for a program or significant task that is occurring during their time with us.

Student Interaction With Others at the Location

The student will be 100% hands on with patrons at each service desk and will be working side by side with staff every during every step of the program. They will have full access to ask questions and learn all that they want to learn.

University of Tennessee at Chattanooga Library – Special Collections

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Location Description

The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga Special Collections is responsible for acquiring, processing, digitizing, and preserving unique, primary source materials. In particular, the materials focus on the university, Chattanooga, the state of Tennessee, and the American South.

Special Collections is a team of three librarians and up to 25 student assistants, interns, and volunteers working in a collaborative environment that stresses a standards-based approach to the acquisition, processing, and digitization of rare books, manuscripts, and university archives. Special Collections consists of the George C. Connor Reading Room, the Joseph Jackson Visiting Scholar Room, digitization and processing room, and a climate-controlled secure stacks consisting of compact and fixed shelving and flat file cabinets. Special Collections houses more than 2,500 linear feet of manuscript and archival material and more than 13,000 books and theses. Additionally, Special Collections manages digital repositories powered by ArchivesSpace, CONTENTdm, and Digital Commons by working collaboratively with Library IT and Collections Services as well as campus partners and vendors.

Practicum Work Mode

On site

Semesters or Time Period Available

Ongoing, not limited to a specific semester

Location

600 Douglas Street
Chattanooga, TN 37403
https://www.utc.edu/library/special-collections

Contact

Carolyn Runyon Runyon
Director of Special Collections
carolyn-runyon@utc.edu
423-425-4503

Student Tasks

Practicum students play a critical role in Special Collections by helping the repository create digital collections, finding aids, and exhibits of cultural heritage resources. duties may include:
• arranging and describing archival collections;
• authoring biographical and historical notes that provide context for archival materials;
• creating finding aids in compliance with Describing Archives: A Content Standard (DACS) and local practices using ArchivesSpace;
• conducting and transcribing oral history interviews;
• creating descriptive metadata and developing digital collections using CONTENTdm;
• applying controlled vocabularies, including LCSH, LCNAF, AAT, and RightsStatements.org, to describe digital objects;
• curating web and physical exhibitions and creating exhibition panels and catalogs;
• authoring lesson plans and instructional materials, including video tutorials, featuring local primary sources for K-12 audiences;
• conducting research and writing narratives for grant applications;
• and developing Buzzfeed quizzes, blog posts, and other outreach initiatives.

Type of Mentoring Provided to the Student

Practica students help Special Collections achieve fulfill its mission by working on archival processing and description or digital capture and metadata projects, and outreach initiatives including exhibitions and programming. We create effective internships by collaborating with students to create clearly defined goals, offering feedback on projects and performance in weekly meetings, and providing opportunities for students to reflect on their experiences. Special Collections stresses a standards-based approach to digitization and description, and uses archival and digital asset management systems commonly adopted by galleries, libraries, archives, and museums (GLAMs) in the United States.

Practica students who successfully complete projects in Special Collections gain important transferable skills and exposure to professional software applications that help prepare them for graduate studies or careers in archival administration and records management.

Student Interaction With Others at the Location

Practica students in Special Collections typically work closely with one of the faculty archivists in Special Collections and the Director of Special Collections. They work in an open space with other interns and student assistants completing assignments in Special Collections.

Fountain City Branch, Knox County Public Library

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Location Description

Fountain City Branch is one of the large branches of the Knox County Public Library. Patrons use this branch for information, recreational reading, home-schooling, tutoring, computers, and more. It hosts/offers a variety of programming for adults, teens and children. The manager, when possible, enjoys outreach programs with area schools.

Practicum Work Mode

On site

Semesters or Time Period Available

Ongoing, not limited to a specific semester

Location

5300 Stanton Road
Knoxville, TN 37918
https://www.knoxlib.org/about/hours-and-locations/fountain-city-branch-library

Contact

Elizabeth Nelson
Manager, Fountain City Branch, Knox County Public Library
enelson@knoxlib.org
865-689-2681

Student Tasks

The student would basically be shadowing the manager (me). He/she would provide reference service, readers' advisory, computer help, and more to our patrons. I am on the Children's Collection Development Committee; the student would be welcome to attend a meeting & be expected participate. I do 2 – 3 storytimes each week; the student would be welcome to observe and participate. When possible, I provide outreach programs to area schools; again, the student would be welcome. I would expect the student to create a book display based on a theme of his/her choosing. Other activities, as needed.

Type of Mentoring Provided to the Student

Other than having them follow me around, work the circulation desk, participate in programs/outreach/committee meetings, I have the student read selected sections of our Policy Manual, to get an idea of the kinds of policies & procedures that public libraries have. I also have the student read "Black Belt Librarian" by Warren Graham, for an overview of security issues that public libraries face. This is a "fling them in the deep end & hope they swim" kind of mentoring — they learn by observing and, more importantly, doing. Yes No No, I'm ready to submit the form. Unknown

Student Interaction With Others at the Location

They would work with the rest of the staff here — special projects, shadowing, etc. If they attend any meeting(s) with me, they would meet & interact with other library staff.

Acquisitions and E-Resources – Jean and Alexander Heard Libraries – Vanderbilt University

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Location Description

Acquisitions and E-Resources (A&E) is responsible for purchasing, licensing, processing, and providing access to library materials in all formats. The office is located on Vanderbilt campus in the Baker Building, but during the pandemic, all work would be handled remotely.

Practicum Work Mode

Remote

Semesters or Time Period Available

Ongoing, not limited to a specific semester

Location

110 21st Avenue South Suite 700 Baker Bldg
Nashville, TN 37203
https://www.library.vanderbilt.edu

Contact

Julie Glascock
Director, Acquisitions & E-Resources
julie.glascock@vanderbilt.edu
615-343-5879

Student Tasks

The student will complete small projects encompassing key areas of the electronic resource lifecycle, assist with troubleshooting user-reported access problems, and also assist with a larger project to update licensing terms in the Alma system which will appear to users in the library catalog.

Type of Mentoring Provided to the Student

The student will work one-on-one with A&E staff to learn basic order, access, and licensing workflows common to the e-resource lifecycle, and receive basic training required to troubleshoot electronic resource access issues reported by users and other library staff. In addition to one-on-one training, relevant webinars and reading materials will be assigned. Regular meetings will be scheduled for training, Q&A, and project monitoring.

Student Interaction With Others at the Location

The student will have extensive interaction with the A&E staff, but in particular with those working with electronic resources. The library staff is committed to providing an overview of the work involved in Electronic Resources Librarianship in a collaborative and supportive environment.

DAAC – Oak Ridge National Laboratory

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Location Description

The ORNL DAAC is a NASA-funded data operation focused on Terrestrial Ecology. ORNL DAAC staff are primarily located in Building 4500N at Oak Ridge National Laboratory.

Practicum Work Mode

Flexible

Semesters or Time Period Available

Ongoing, not limited to a specific semester

Location

1 Bethel Valley Road Building 4500N
Oak Ridge, TN 37831
https://daac.ornl.gov/

Contact

Bruce Wilson
ORNL DAAC Manager
manager@daac.ornl.gov
865-574-6651

Student Tasks

The exact tasks vary depending on the ORNL DAAC’s needs, student background, and student learning objectives. Tasks typically involve on-line research to identify relevant information, such as papers citing ORNL DAAC datasets, scripting and similar tasks to reformat and quality assure data, and data analysis and visualization. The general focus of the work is improving the completeness, quality, and process of identifying the documents (particularly journal articles) which cite ORNL DAAC-published data.

Type of Mentoring Provided to the Student

Mentoring will depend on student background and educational objectives. It may include coaching on scripting and other data manipulation or data analysis tasks. Mentoring will typically also include requirements analysis, effective communication, and personal project management skills. Mentoring may also include scientific metadata and specialized skills related to scientific data management.

Student Interaction With Others at the Location

The student will typically have one ORNL DAAC staff member assigned as the primary mentor, with some interaction during each work day. There will typically be at least weekly interactions with the ORNL DAAC Manager and/or ORNL DAAC Deputy Manager.