My first week interning at the Lisbon History Center and Library has come to a close. Within this first week, I learned where the books are kept, how to use the online card catalog, how to renew and check out books, how to check in books, how to set up a library card for someone, how to look up a library card, how to do an interlibrary loan, and how to lead a storytime for kids of different ages. I helped manage the desk, and I helped lead storytimes. I led storytimes for kindergarten through fourth graders. These students visited with their classes from the Lisbon schools. I learned how to manage students who may have intellectual or developmental disabilities. I also learned how to tailor a story time to a specific age group. What was appropriate for one group, wasn’t necessarily age appropriate for another. It allowed me to be quick on my feet and change things within minutes. I also completed some online training for the summer reading program. I helped come up with ideas for summer reading events for children through adults. At the history center, I am researching different topics of interest to write blog posts on. These will hopefully be posted on social media later on in the summer. So far, I have just been pursuing topics of interest. I have started officially researching a topic for a blog post. I’m considering doing something in theater, since the Tony Awards are in June. I also helped prepping smores kits for the first campfire reading event. My first week was a great introduction for what is to come this next week.
This opportunity has really solidified my plans to be a children's librarian. I plan to go to grad school after I graduate for an MLIS degree. I have met a lot of people on the library board, as well as parents and other members of the community. This is helping me network for future opportunities. Most people seem excited there is an intern at the library and are excited to interact with me. I’ve found people that would be great for storytime, if I am ever a librarian in the future. I’ve also found lots of local businesses that would be great to support if I had prizes for summer reading programs. I’ve also found some great people to write me recommendation letters. I’m learning a lot about professionalism and reliability within my interactions with people. I need to be reliable and professional when I’m around kids. While my dress code is more relaxed because I work with kids, my language cannot be. I need to keep any swear words away from children. I need to be respectful and trustworthy. Part of that is using child-friendly language and modeling good behavior. 
The culture of librarians seems very welcoming and respectful. It seems to just be a lot of people who love books and want to share that love with other people. My boss found her way into this field by accident, and is learning along with me. I feel so welcomed by everyone. I love being able to pour my love for books into children and make them feel seen, comfortable, and valued. I also love getting to help kids find their interests.