Emerging Technologies and Education Commons Intern

Posted by Sally Mason on

Emerging Technologies and Education Commons Intern
AVAILABILITY: one position, early January to early May
SALARY: $15/hour; paid vacation and sick time.
HOURS: 15-20 hours per week, including regular weekly, weekend and evening shifts.

OVERVIEW:
An outstanding opportunity is available for a creative, energetic student of Library and Information Science. If you are interested in Web culture and new media literacy, new technologies, user experience and interaction, then we would like to hear from you!

The intern will work both in the Van Pelt-Dietrich Library Center and the Education Commons, reporting to the Coordinator of Digital Outreach Services and the Education Commons Librarian. Van Pelt is the largest library at the University of Pennsylvania, supporting the social sciences, humanities, and graduate schools of Education and Social Policy and Practice. The Education Commons is a new state-of-the-art study and information space that supports teaching and collaborative learning.

DUTIES:
After a period of training, the intern takes on the following duties as assigned:

  • Assist and advise remote and on-site researchers in using Penn’s digital and print resources, primarily through the Penn Libraries chat reference services.
  • Teach library patrons to effectively use software or research management tools.
  • Design and teach workshops.
  • Develop, implement, and analyze outreach initiatives.
  • Author content for social media, and research, monitor, assess social media impacts.
  • Keep current with, investigate, and test emerging apps and technologies for mobile initiatives.
  • Gather data, design, and produce Excel reports to assist in evaluation of library programs.

REQUIREMENTS:

  • Enrollment in a graduate degree program in Library or Information Science or a related field is required. Ideal for MLS/MLIS candidates with a largely online course load.
  • Ideal applicants will be available several nights per week and during the weekend.
  • Excellent interpersonal, communication, and organizational skills. Strong public services orientation.
  • Attention to detail and ability to juggle multiple tasks, learn quickly, and take initiative.
  • Comfortable with spreadsheets (Microsoft Excel), text messaging, Facebook, Twitter, other social media, smart phones and mobile technology.
  • Experience, or motivation to gain experience in, graphics, multimedia, and Web authoring applications desirable.
  • Prior academic research experience helpful.

Our extensive training program leads us to ask for a commitment through Spring Semester 2013, with preference given to applicants who could return the following year, September 2013-May 2014.

To apply, please send a cover letter and resume to:
Elizabeth Martin
martinev@pobox.upenn.edu
Email preferred. Please write “Emerging Tech Internship” in the subject line.