USF Libraries Internships

Project Description:

This project is a large, ongoing initiative aimed at completing a comprehensive inventory of the University of South Florida (USF) Tampa campus library’s physical general collection. The intern will play a key role in ensuring the accuracy of the library’s catalog by comparing the actual physical items on the shelves with the records in Alma, the library’s integrated library system. Key responsibilities include entering data collected by student assistants into Alma, identifying discrepancies between the catalog and the physical collection, and confirming specific aspects of reports, such as missing or mis-shelved materials. When issues such as missing items or cataloging errors are identified, the intern will take appropriate corrective action or escalate the problem to library staff as needed. This project is critical to maintaining an accurate, up-to-date catalog, ensuring that resources are readily accessible and available to patrons. By improving the accuracy of the catalog, the project enhances the library’s overall services and supports efficient resource discovery and access for users.

Anticipated Outcomes/Benefits:

Participating in the Library Stacks Project at the University of South Florida Library offers a range of benefits for student interns, both in terms of library-specific experience and broader professional development.

Library-Specific Experience:

• Hands-On Cataloging and Inventory Management: Interns gain practical experience working with Alma, a leading library management system, by reconciling the physical collection with the library’s digital catalog. This valuable skill set is highly transferable to future roles in libraries and archives.
• Problem-Solving in Library Operations: Interns develop skills in identifying and resolving cataloging discrepancies, such as missing or mis-shelved items. Learning how to troubleshoot and escalate issues helps interns better understand the operational challenges of managing a large library collection.
• Understanding Collection Maintenance: The project provides exposure to the processes involved in maintaining a large academic library’s general collection, including how physical and digital records are managed to ensure resource accessibility for patrons.
• Collaboration with Library Staff: By working alongside librarians, student assistants, and other staff, interns develop strong communication and teamwork skills within a professional library environment, which is essential for future roles in the field.

General Professional Development:

• Data Management Skills: Interns sharpen their data entry and management abilities, learning to work with large sets of information accurately and efficiently—skills that are valuable in many fields beyond librarianship.
• Attention to Detail: The task of ensuring the catalog’s accuracy hones the intern’s attention to detail, a critical skill for any professional setting, where precision and thoroughness are essential.
• Project Management Experience: Interns gain firsthand experience in managing time and resources while handling multiple tasks, such as catalog reconciliation, error reporting, and issue resolution. This contributes to the development of project management skills useful in any career.
• Critical Thinking and Decision Making: Through the process of identifying and addressing discrepancies in the collection, interns enhance their critical thinking and decision-making abilities, learning to assess situations and take appropriate action.
• Exposure to Information Science Tools and Practices: Interns gain valuable insight into the technologies and practices used in libraries today, including the importance of maintaining accurate metadata and resource accessibility, which are key elements of modern librarianship. This internship not only provides students with a deep understanding of library operations but also equips them with a diverse skill set that is applicable across various professional domains.

This internship not only provides students with a deep understanding of library operations but also equips them with a diverse skill set that is applicable across various professional domains.

Special Skill Sets:

• Attention to Detail: Interns must demonstrate a high level of accuracy and attention to detail when comparing physical items with catalog records and identifying discrepancies.
• Data Entry Proficiency: Interns should be comfortable with data entry, ensuring that collected information is accurately entered into the Alma system.
• Excel Proficiency (Preferred): A basic to intermediate level of comfort with Microsoft Excel is preferred for managing data, running reports, and assisting with inventory tracking.
• Familiarity with the Library of Congress Classification System (Preferred but not Required): Prior experience or familiarity with the Library of Congress Classification (LCC) system is preferred, as it will help with locating and shelving items during the inventory process. However, training can be provided if the intern lacks this experience.
• Comfort with Library Management Systems: While prior experience with Alma or other integrated library systems is not required, interns should be comfortable learning and navigating digital systems.
• Effective Communication: Interns must be able to communicate effectively with library staff, student assistants, and other team members to coordinate tasks and resolve issues.