Practicums for Library School Students

We opened a state-of-the-art new building in January of 2008, a great place to get real-world experience before graduation. We’re a fast-paced place, serving all kinds of people with a focus on high-demand materials and lots of free events. We have a branch too, along with this ALA award-winning website, offering you a wide range of experiences.

A Practicum Is a Great Way To:

  • acquire experience to make your resume stand out
  • get mentoring now — and job references later
  • learn practical skills
  • find out if public libraries are for you

Choose Your Focus

Adults & Teens

  • Help answer real reference questions
  • Help patrons with computers
  • Help everyone from middle school students to seniors
  • Recommend books, movies, and music
  • Build online content
  • Experience the energy of kids in grades 6 to 12 in our fantastic TeenSpace
  • Work with interesting collections, including graphic novels and video games
  • Develop booklists and more for our award-winning website
  • To learn more:
    Contact Betsy Su, teen librarian, at 217/403–2086 or bsu@champaign.org

Technical Services

  • Practice cataloging in a variety of formats
  • Learn how to work with vendors to acquire materials
  • Help improve access to library materials through special projects
  • To learn more:
    Contact Nanette Donohue, technical services manager, at 217/403–2014 or nwargo@champaign.org

Children

  • Focus on birth through grade 5
  • Help develop our tremendously popular children’s collection
  • Go with us to classrooms and daycares
  • Work in our beautiful program room and discovery area in our new library
  • Recommend books to children — and parents, too
  • Offer reference services to kids, teachers, and caregivers
  • Learn about children’s programs and reading clubs (we have lots of them!)
  • To learn more:
    Contact Stephanie Edwards, children’s services manager, at 217/403–2030 or sedwards@champaign.org

Douglass Branch Library

  • See what’s unique about a neighborhood-focused branch library
  • Get a great range of experiences; branch staffers get to do everything!
  • Our branch is humming with programs and activities, especially for children
  • Be on a first-name basis with a diverse group of patrons
  • To learn more:
    Contact Amanda Raklovits, children’s librarian, at 217/403–2090 or araklovits@champaign.org

Helpful librarian

Special projects

Up to one-fifth of your time will be spent on a specific project. We’ll work with you to match your interests and skills. At the end, you’ll have a real sense of accomplishment.