University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa

Library and Information Science Program

Month: January 2021

  • Hilo Public Library, Hawaiʻi State Public Library System

    Location: 300 Waianuenue Ave., Hilo, HI 96720

    Website

    Internship Description

    The intern will assist and shadow the supervising librarian with reference duties and work with the librarian on selection and weeding of materials. The intern will also learn basic circulation and collection maintenance practices.

    • Library Basics & Maintenance (i.e. shelving, item inspection, training, etc.)
    • Collection Development
    • Outreach/Implementation

    Library/Collection Description

    Hilo Public Library serves as the regional branch for the Island of Hawaiʻi. Our library is the largest on the island and opened on January 20, 1951. The Naha, one of two historic stones located in front of the library, is believed to be what King Kamehameha lifted to affirm the prophecy that he would united the Hawaiian Islands.

    Required Qualifications

    • LIS 601 Introduction to Reference & Information Services

    Desired Qualifications

    • Ability to work with diverse patrons
    • Effective communication
    • Basic knowledge of library services
    • Ability to adapt to changing situations in the work environment

    Weekly Schedule

    The weekly schedule must fall within the operating hours of Hilo Public Library:

    Tuesday 11am-7pm
    Wednesday 11am-7pm
    Thursday 9am-4pm
    Friday 11am-4pm
    Saturday 9am-4pm

    Regular hours are expected.

    Goals and Outcomes

    This is a unique opportunity to learn important aspects of professional librarianship in a large public library. The focus will be on reference and collection management skills applied in hands-on situations. The intern will learn more about the types of materials available and populations served in a large regional branch.

    Evaluation Methods

    Periodic formal and informal evaluations and discussions. Students must also prepare a mid-term progress report, a final written report, and an evaluation of the supervising librarian.

    Evaluation Schedule

    The supervising librarian will complete the LIS 690 evaluation form at the end of the semester.

    Contact Information

    Justin Rajkowski – Supervisor

    E-mail: justin.rajkowski@librarieshawaii.org

    Telephone: (808) 933-8890

    Posted:

    , Last Updated:

  • UH Mānoa LIS Students Speed Networking with Hawai‘i LIS Professionals at the 2020 HLA/HASL Conference

    UH Mānoa LIS Students Speed Networking with Hawai‘i LIS Professionals at the 2020 HLA/HASL Conference

    On December 5, 2020, 18 UHM LIS students, along with 10 LIS professionals from academic, school, public, and special libraries on Oahu, participated in a virtual speed networking event. Students had an hour to move among Zoom breakout rooms, in the hopes of connecting with as many professionals as possible in a meaningful way.

    UH Mānoa LIS student Stephanie Robertson worked with LIS instructor Meera Garud to plan and run this event. To make sure conversations stayed focused, Robertson and Garud provided two questions relevant to students in the midst of crafting their careers during this unprecedented time: “How has your role in the library pivoted because of COVID 19?” and “What skills have you needed to sharpen or gain as a result of that shift?” Students were also free to ask and discuss other questions they brought to the event.

    In the end, the LIS professionals made this event a success, using this event as a platform for LIS students to make meaningful connections, in spite of the challenges of Zoom fatigue and uncertainty in the profession because of the pandemic. The LIS professionals facilitating the breakout rooms, many of whom were alumni, generously shared the knowledge they had developed over time. When surveyed, the students reported feeling comfortable, inspired, and motivated to work hard in order to be a successful member of the thriving library community in Hawai‘i.

    Huge thanks are due to the following LIS professionals who made this event a success!

    Annie Thomas, Acting Head Librarian at the Kapiolani Community College Library
    Brian Huffman, Electronic Services Librarian at the UH Mānoa William S. Richardson School of Law
    Darren Tanaka, Librarian at Kailua Elementary School
    David Wee who is Mid-Pacific Institute’s (Pk-12 independent school) Director of Library and Media Services
    Helen Wong Smith, Archivist for University Records at the University of Hawai’i at Mānoa
    Janel Quirante, Head Archivist at ‘Ulu‘Ulu Moving Image Archive University of Hawai‘i – West O‘ahu
    Mary Campany, Collections Librarian at the Japanese Cultural Center of Hawai‘i
    Natalie Wahl, Instruction Librarian from the Leeward Community College Library
    Sheryl Lynch, Branch Manager at Waianae Public Library
    Tamara King, Branch Manager at Kahuku Public and School Library