Practium Opportunities

Collection Development

This practicum provides an opportunity for a library and information science student to participate in collection management activities and projects for the humanities, sciences, and social sciences at an academic library. Possible activities and projects include, but are not limited to:

• Evaluating and making recommendations on specific collections
• Using GOBI software for local and consortial collection development
• Working with selectors on subject-specific collection management tasks

The student will gain hands-on experience in striking a balance between user needs and the constraints of physical space and money. Additionally, the library and information science student may attend Collection Development Department and/or subject team meetings to participate in discussions and activities.

Instruction

This practicum provides an opportunity for a library and information science student to participate in the University Libraries’ active instruction program in the humanities, sciences, and social sciences. Instruction activities could include, but are not limited to:

• English Composition in-class reference assistance
• Observing and assisting with for-credit library skills and media creation classes
• Participating in other librarian-taught courses
  
• Creating research guides for specific courses or assignments

Additionally, the library and information science student may attend Reference and Instruction Department meetings and participate in discussions and activities.

Outreach

This practicum provides an opportunity for a library and information science student to participate in the University Libraries’ outreach program specifically to first-year students and distance learning students. Outreach activities could include, but are not limited to:

• Assisting with creating and providing programming for library introductions in first-year seminars and learning communities
• Creating online tutorials to highlight library programming and library services
• Participating in other librarian-taught courses
  
• Creating print promotional materials (flyers, etc.) to highlight library programming and services

Additionally, the library and information science student may attend Reference and Instruction Department meetings and participate in discussions and activities.

Reference

This practicum provides an opportunity for a library and information science student to be immersed in the reference services in an academic library. The student will provide reference service to faculty, graduate and undergraduate students, and community users in a variety of formats, which may include:

• First line assistance at an Information Desk
• In-depth reference and instruction on the reference floor
• Chat and instant message reference services
• English Composition in-class reference assistance

Additionally, the library and information science student may attend Reference and Instruction Department meetings and participate in discussions and activities.

Technical Services

This practicum provides an opportunity for a library and information science student to gain experience in a working technical services department in a medium-sized academic library. Possible activities and projects include, but are not limited to: professional-level copy cataloging of gift materials, government documents, web resources, or other materials; writing macros to automate technical services processes; authority record processing; and creating metadata for digital collections. Additionally the student may attend Technical Services unit and department meetings and participate in discussions and activities.

WSU Practicum Opportunities