91´«Ã½
Applications due February 1st
CHICAGO — The Public Library Association (PLA) is now accepting applications from public libraries interested in participating in PLA's (III) for the summer of 2019. In alignment with PLA’s related to Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Social Justice, III was piloted in 2017 as a pathway program to increase diversity in public librarianship. The initiative has been a tremendous success, and PLA is proud to offer III once again with the support of the (grant RE-00-17-0129-17). to view photos from the 2018 Wrap-Up Event.
Through III, PLA will sponsor paid, mentored summer internships at public libraries for 50 high school juniors and seniors. With individual guidance from a mentor, each intern will engage with multiple facets of library life, from administration to programming to user services, while also completing a connected-learning project on behalf of their host library.
In addition to identifying an appropriate intern, participating libraries must:
- Assign a staff person to serve as a mentor
- Develop a connected learning project in conjunction with the intern
- Offer approximately five hours per week of one-on-one mentoring and coaching
- Attend a June kick-off event in Chicago, Ill. and a September wrap-up event in Washington, D.C.
- Share their successes, challenges, opportunities across the III cohort, within the library, and to community stakeholders
- Comply with applicable nondiscrimination laws, including but not limited to those in the Assurances and Certifications, throughout the grant award and the intern application and selection process
The 2019 application for host libraries can be found . All public libraries, regardless of PLA membership, are eligible. Small, rural, and tribal libraries are strongly encouraged to apply. Applications must be received by 5 p.m. Central Time on Friday, Feb. 1, 2019.
For more information, please see the and answers to . If your questions isn't addressed in the FAQ, please contact PLA at plinterns@ala.org. PLA will also host an on Monday, Jan. 14, to give interested libraries a chance to learn more and ask questions.
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About PLA
The Public Library Association (PLA) is the largest association dedicated to supporting the unique and evolving needs of public library professionals. Founded in 1944, PLA serves nearly 10,000 members in public libraries large and small in communities across the United States and Canada, with a growing presence around the world. PLA strives to help its members shape the essential institution of public libraries by serving as an indispensable ally for public library leaders. For more information about PLA, contact the PLA office at 1 (800) 545-2433, ext.5PLA, or pla@ala.org.
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