UHM-Hamilton Library: Science & Technology

Location: Hamilton Library Science and Technology Reference
Supervisor: Eileen Herring
Phone: (808) 956-2543
Email: eherring@hawaii.edu

Description of library/collection

The Science Technology Reference Department has the largest and most extensive science collection in the state and represents the only major science research library in the Pacific region. The department supports teaching, learning, and research activities in the physical, biological and biomedical sciences programs. Six of the seven areas of excellence identified in the UH Strategic Plan are science programs.

Description of internship

This internship will allow students to gain experience working in a specialized collection of a large academic research library. The department's activities include reference service, instruction, collection development, and some specialized services for defined user populations. The department maintains a training manual to guide LIS students about procedures and policies. Normal department hours are 9:00am to 4:00pm Monday thru Friday. Duties include:
  • Reference Desk assistance alongside a regular staff member and later on their own.
  • Science database instruction. Interns will be trained to assist users. Special projects in conjunction with online database instruction may be undertaken (i.e. revising or developing new instructional materials for handouts or creating/updating subject LibGuides).
  • Interns may occasionally assist librarians in providing classroom instructional sessions.
  • Special projects may also be undertaken upon approval by the supervising librarian.

Required prerequisites/qualifications

Interest in science librarianship; completion of LIS 601 Introduction to Reference & Information Services

Desired qualifications

  • LIS 663: Basic Online/CD-ROM Database Searching
  • Undergraduate or graduate degree in a science field
  • Previous work in a library

Weekly schedule

Flexible between 9:00 am and 4:00 pm Monday through Friday

Learning/experiential goals or work outcomes expected

Working in a large university library with an active scientific research community will give interns the opportunity to experience the rigors and demands of a real-life working environment. After a semester, student should be familiar with:
  • Nature of librarian-patron interaction during a reference interview and service
  • Primary science online databases
  • A representative scientific reference collection
  • Policy and philosophical issues within an academic environment

Evaluation process/format

Interns will be evaluated on reliability, communication skills when interacting with patrons and staff, and cooperative attitude. Other components of the evaluation will include competence searching Hawaii Voyager, ability to locate resources in both electronic and print bibliographic databases, knowledge of reference tools, and quality of contribution to assigned projects.

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