For immediate release | April 19, 2018

Public Library Association announces library cohort for 2018 Inclusive Internship Initiative

PLA's Inclusive Internship Initiative logo

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CHICAGO -- Today the Public Library Association (PLA) announced the libraries in its 2018 (III) cohort. Last summer, PLA piloted this first-of-its-kind internship program designed to present librarianship as a viable career option for the next generation of Americans. In 2017, PLA sponsored paid, mentored public library internships for 50 high school juniors and seniors at 39 host libraries across the U.S., including two tribal libraries and sites in Alaska and Hawaii.

For 2018, PLA is proud to offer this opportunity to 50 libraries, with support from IMLS’ grant RE-00-17-0129-17. Each participating library will recruit an intern who, with individual guidance from a mentor, will engage with multiple facets of library life this summer. Each intern will also complete a connected-learning project on behalf of their host library. The following libraries are participating in the summer 2018 Inclusive Internship program:

  • Algona (Iowa) Public Library
  • Anythink Library (Thornton, Colorado)*
  • Auburn (Georgia) Public Library
  • Austin (Texas) Public Library
  • Berwyn (Illinois) Public Library
  • Birmingham (Alabama) Public Library
  • Bridgton (Maine) Public Library
  • Brooke County (West Virginia) Public Library
  • Buffalo & Erie County (New York) Public Library
  • Butler (Pennsylvania) Area Public Library
  • Cabell County (West Virginia) Public Library
  • Casa Grande (Arizona) Public Library
  • Catawba County (North Carolina) Library System
  • Cecil County (Maryland) Public Library
  • Chapel Hill (North Carolina) Public Library
  • Charleston County (South Carolina) Public Library
  • Columbus (Ohio) Metropolitan Library
  • Everett (Washington) Public Library
  • Fremont County (Wyoming) Library System
  • Grand Rapids (Michigan) Public Library
  • Grants (New Mexico) Public Library
  • Greece (New York) Public Library
  • Indianapolis (Indiana) Public Library
  • Juneau (Alaska) Public Library
  • Kirkwood (Missouri) Public Library
  • Kokomo-Howard County (Indiana) Public Library
  • L.A. County (California) Library at East Los Angeles
  • Laurel (Delaware) Public Library
  • Lawrence (Kansas) Public Library
  • Lewis Cooper Jr. Memorial Library (Opelika, Ala.)
  • Lincoln Library (Medicine Lodge, Kansas)
  • Logan County (Kentucky) Public Library
  • Madison (Wisconsin) Public Library
  • Meridian (Idaho) Library District
  • Natchitoches (Louisiana) Parish Library
  • Niles-Maine (Illinois) District Library
  • North Miami Beach (Florida) Public Library
  • Pikes Peak Library District (Colorado Springs, Colorado)*
  • Poudre River Public Library District (Fort Collins, Colorado)
  • Prosser Public Library (Bloomfield, Connecticut)
  • Pueblo (Colorado) City-County Library District
  • Purcell (Oklahoma) Public Library
  • Rio Abajo Community Library (La Joya, New Mexico)
  • Salem (Oregon) Public Library
  • Santa Clara County (California) Library
  • Seminole County (Floridaa) Public Library
  • Siouxland Libraries (Sioux Falls, South Dakota)
  • Skokie (Illinois) Public Library
  • Springfield (Massachusetts) City Library
  • St. Louis County (Missouri) Library
  • Thorp (Wisconsin) Public Library
  • Ventress Memorial Library (Marshfield, Massachusetts)

The 2018 internship will begin with a kickoff event, June 14-16, in Washington, D.C. Welcome remarks will be given by Richard Reyes-Gavilan, executive director of the District of Columbia Public Library, and the interns will receive a broad overview of library work through a set of targeted master classes, conversations with mentors, and other activities.

Additional information about the Inclusive Internship Initiative can be found at .

*This library's participation in the 2018 III cohort is not funded by the IMLS grant.

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About PLA
The (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.

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Contact:

Laurence Deutsch

Manager, Communications

Public Library Association (PLA)

ldeutsch@ala.org

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