<table cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" border="0" ><tr><td valign="top" style="font: inherit;">This has been an interesting discussion and I wanted to chime in. <br><br>I'm a student in Emporia State's Portland cohort. I'm working to build up my professional experiences in regards to librarianship. In November started working at a regional library system, where I live in Western Washington, as a public services assistant-tech. Previously, I was a daily newspaper reporter. <br><br>
I don't think it's unprofessional to have a discussion about library issues, provided it's
respectful. Discussion inform us as to both sides of the issues. Even when we
disagree, we can learn. <br><br>I have really enjoyed this discussion and think it is an important one to have. I also appreciate the tone that everyone has been using.<br><br>Regarding volunteer opportunities and internships, a lot depends on the organization where the intern is working and the school or professor who is supervising the intern. It also depends on the volunteer's motivations. <br><br>I personally have a problem with a business making a decent profit, claiming that they can't afford to pay interns. It's not about affordability, it's about choices in how money is spent. Obviously, finances are different for public libraries, many nonprofit organizations, and even for some special libraries within profitable businesses. <br><br>I think for an internship or a volunteer opportunity to be successful for both the volunteer/college student and the organization, the organization needs to have a well-thought out program. <br><br>Likewise, the
college should have strict guidelines of what is acceptable for interns and similar positions. (Emporia State's and University of British Columbia's library science programs are among many good examples of this.) The best results occur when both the organization and the university are on the ball. The college also needs to communicate these requirements to students. <br><br>Even if an organization doesn't have an internship or volunteer program, for a project of there should be at least a written agreement between the organization and the volunteer (or college and student) regarding what is expected, time commitment, how to resolve conflicts, etc. <br><br>As someone who wants to build her skills and experiences, I welcome volunteer opportunities that will allow me to do that. I also seek them. However, I'm picky. I don't want to be thrown into the deep end of the pool to sink or swim, like the Providence Center volunteer job would do, I want to work on
projects with people where I can develop my skills. For instance, assisting the person who is setting up the collection would be a better student job. <br><br>To me, setting up a library seems to be more more appropriate for a contract employee, not a student intern. As another poster said, this will require a lot of professional expertise. I also think it may need a mini-community analysis to ensure that the organization's needs are met. <br><br>That said, there are people in my cohort who have the experience to do this job because they were library or archival professionals prior to seeking their master's. <br><br>I feel that internships opportunities at nonprofits and businesses need to follow federal and state labor laws. For instance, The Oregonian story cited at sixth-month, 520-hour internship at Seattle Magazine, which seems excessive. As a journalist and a library student, the internships I've seen range from around 120 to 240 hours.
<br><br>Here's some links that address internships and the labor laws; however, they are not specific to Oregon, Washington, or libraries, or nonprofits:<br><br>- NY Times story on the issue: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/03/business/03intern.html?_r=1<br><br>- U.S. Dept. of Labor site: http://www.dol.gov/whd/regs/compliance/whdfs71.pdf<br><br>- Blog post from a California law firm specializing in employment issues: http://laborlaw.typepad.com/labor_and_employment_law_/2007/11/unpaid-internsh.html<br><br>Best,<br><br>Marta Murvosh<br><br>--- On <b>Wed, 1/12/11, D Cohen <i><dcohen@dcoheninfo.com></i></b> wrote:<br><blockquote style="border-left: 2px solid rgb(16, 16, 255); margin-left: 5px; padding-left: 5px;"><br>From: D Cohen <dcohen@dcoheninfo.com><br>Subject: Re: [Libs-Or] Volunteer Opportunity<br>To: "'KendraSchwindt'" <kendraschwindt@hotmail.com>, libs-or@listsmart.osl.state.or.us<br>Cc: satya.jaech@providence.org<br>Date:
Wednesday, January 12, 2011, 11:15 AM<br><br><div id="yiv6711099">
<div dir="ltr" align="left"><span class="yiv6711099218195918-12012011"><font color="#0000ff" face="Arial">I think the discussion is useful, as well. No tomatoes! Discusssing
the library profession is one thing within the confines of a conference or
private meeting. But, we also have to put this issue "out
there".</font></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" align="left"><span class="yiv6711099218195918-12012011"><font color="#0000ff" face="Arial"></font></span> </div>
<div dir="ltr" align="left"><span class="yiv6711099218195918-12012011"><font color="#0000ff" face="Arial">I have three comments on what you have said:</font></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" align="left"><span class="yiv6711099218195918-12012011"><font color="#0000ff" face="Arial">1. From my <span class="yiv6711099500345301-12012011"><font color="#0000ff" face="Arial">experience many times non-professionals think that a "library"
situation is very simple when it is more complex. Unless someone with a
professional eye has evaluated the situation I would not put complete faith in
what the original poster assumes is needed.</font></span></font></span></div>
<div><span class="yiv6711099218195918-12012011"><font color="#0000ff" face="Arial"><span class="yiv6711099500345301-12012011"></span></font></span> </div>
<div><span class="yiv6711099218195918-12012011"><font color="#0000ff" face="Arial"><span class="yiv6711099500345301-12012011">2. It's one thing to volunteer for a small non-profit
with no funds, quite another an organization such as this. Assuming their
professionally designed website is a reflection of the institution, I would
doubt that Providence must barter for what they are asking.
</span></font></span></div>
<div><span class="yiv6711099218195918-12012011"><font color="#0000ff" face="Arial"><span class="yiv6711099500345301-12012011"></span></font></span> </div>
<div><span class="yiv6711099218195918-12012011"><font color="#0000ff" face="Arial">3. Please see
this article from the Oregonian last May:</font></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" align="left">
<h1><font size="2" color="#0000ff" face="Arial">"The insidious rise in unpaid
internships can run afoul of federal guidelines"</font></h1>
<h1><font size="2"><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.oregonlive.com/news/oregonian/steve_duin/index.ssf/2010/03/the_insidious_rise_in_unpaid_i.html">http://www.oregonlive.com/news/oregonian/steve_duin/index.ssf/2010/03/the_insidious_rise_in_unpaid_i.html</a></font></h1></div>
<div dir="ltr" align="left"><span class="yiv6711099218195918-12012011"><font size="2"></font></span> </div>
<div dir="ltr" align="left"><span class="yiv6711099218195918-12012011"><font size="2"></font></span> </div>
<div dir="ltr" align="left"><span class="yiv6711099218195918-12012011"><font size="2"></font></span> </div>
<div dir="ltr" align="left"><span class="yiv6711099218195918-12012011"><font size="2">Donna</font></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" align="left"><font size="2"></font> </div>
<div dir="ltr" align="left"><font size="2"></font> </div>
<div dir="ltr" align="left"><font size="2"></font> </div>
<div dir="ltr" align="left"><font size="2">Donna L. Cohen, MLIS, MEd, Information
Management Consultant<br>D. L. Cohen Information Services<br>Portland,
Oregon<br>503-737-1425<br>dcohen@dcoheninfo.com<br>www.dcoheninfo.com<br>Managing
your organization's information and knowledge. Information is power...if you can
find it!</font> </div>
<div> </div><br>
<blockquote style="border-left: 2px solid rgb(0, 0, 255); padding-left: 5px; margin-left: 5px; margin-right: 0px;">
<div dir="ltr" class="yiv6711099OutlookMessageHeader" align="left" lang="en-us">
<hr tabindex="-1">
<font size="2" face="Tahoma"><b>From:</b>
libs-or-bounces@listsmart.osl.state.or.us
[mailto:libs-or-bounces@listsmart.osl.state.or.us] <b>On Behalf Of
</b>KendraSchwindt<br><b>Sent:</b> Wednesday, January 12, 2011 10:24
AM<br><b>To:</b> libs-or@listsmart.osl.state.or.us<br><b>Cc:</b>
satya.jaech@providence.org<br><b>Subject:</b> Re: [Libs-Or] Volunteer
Opportunity<br></font><br></div>
<div></div>
<div><font size="2" face="Arial">Hmm, I actually pondered this for a while before
finally deciding to post here (deciding if indeed I might look good covered in
tomatoes):</font></div>
<div><font size="2" face="Arial"></font> </div>
<div><font size="2" face="Arial">On the one hand, I *wished* for something
like this when I was starting out. College provided only the disjointed big
picture. I desired the process, the detail. As
someone who loves organization/organizing/creating, I continue to
give and volunteer of myself in these areas as my time permits. Volunteering
makes me feel good, I meet new people, gain valuable knowledge, and generally
have a good time as there is less pressure (no office politics, more flexible
schedule, no evaluations, etc). Volunteering allows us to shift from
"it's all about me" to recognizing everything and everyone else out there that
is struggling too, including businesses.</font></div>
<div><font size="2" face="Arial"></font><font size="2" face="Arial"></font> </div>
<div><font size="2" face="Arial">Yet, I am painfully aware that the bottom line
drives everything in business....and a library *is* a business and as a
business we have to think of ways to continue to spend responsibly and within
our means. Bartering has been and always will be an accepted
mechanism to get what we want. </font><font size="2" face="Arial">In spite of
the economy today, there are still folks that love to give of their time and
talents and there will continue to be businesses that desire those
folks. </font></div>
<div><font size="2" face="Arial"></font> </div>
<div><font size="2" face="Arial">I think this is a prime example of
"the glass is half full/half empty" syndrome and I see </font><font size="2" face="Arial">nothing wrong with their posting this
opportunity. I also see nothing wrong with a little spirited
discussion. </font></div>
<div><font size="2" face="Arial"></font> </div>
<div><font size="2" face="Arial"></font><font size="2" face="Arial"></font> </div>
<div><font size="2" face="Arial">...one moment while I take my position on the
stage....yes, okay, I'm ready for the lobbing of delicious, red ripe
fruit. After all, red is a power color and I make one darn tasty
salsa!</font></div>
<div><font size="2" face="Arial"></font> </div>
<div><font size="2" face="Arial">Kendra Schwindt</font></div>
<div><font size="2" face="Arial">1st Career: College Information Manager
</font></div>
<div><font size="2" face="Arial">2nd Career: still figuring that out and
available for loan (contact <a rel="nofollow" title="mailto:paulw@wintersassoc.com
CTRL + Click to follow link" ymailto="mailto:paulw@wintersassoc.com" target="_blank" href="/mc/compose?to=paulw@wintersassoc.com">paulw@wintersassoc.com</a> for more
information about "Executives on Loan")</font></div>
<div><font size="2" face="Arial"></font> </div>
<div><font size="2" face="Arial"></font> </div>
<div><font size="2" face="Arial"></font> </div>
<div style="font: 10pt Tahoma;">
<div><br></div>
<div style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgb(245, 245, 245);">
<div style=""><b>From:</b> <a rel="nofollow" title="mailto:acordle@pcc.edu
CTRL + Click to follow link" ymailto="mailto:acordle@pcc.edu" target="_blank" href="/mc/compose?to=acordle@pcc.edu">Alan Cordle, PCC Library</a> </div>
<div><b>Sent:</b> Wednesday, January 12, 2011 9:35 AM</div>
<div><b>To:</b> <a rel="nofollow" title="archx@reed.edu" ymailto="mailto:archx@reed.edu" target="_blank" href="/mc/compose?to=archx@reed.edu">Xan
Arch</a> ; <a rel="nofollow" title="libs-or@listsmart.osl.state.or.us" ymailto="mailto:libs-or@listsmart.osl.state.or.us)" target="_blank" href="/mc/compose?to=libs-or@listsmart.osl.state.or.us%29">(libs-or@listsmart.osl.state.or.us)</a>
</div>
<div><b>Cc:</b> <a rel="nofollow" title="satya.jaech@providence.org" ymailto="mailto:satya.jaech@providence.org" target="_blank" href="/mc/compose?to=satya.jaech@providence.org">satya.jaech@providence.org</a> ; <a rel="nofollow" title="dcohen@dcoheninfo.com" ymailto="mailto:dcohen@dcoheninfo.com" target="_blank" href="/mc/compose?to=dcohen@dcoheninfo.com">D Cohen</a>
</div>
<div><b>Subject:</b> Re: [Libs-Or] Volunteer Opportunity</div></div></div>
<div><br></div>Rather than preying on desperate library school students,
Providence should hire a librarian, experienced in starting a library from
scratch. The paid librarian could then recruit an intern (preferably
paid and/or offered credit) to assist.<br><br>Since when is it "professional"
for a librarian not to have a public opinion on the de-professionalization of
librarianship?<br><br>Also disappointed,<br>Al<br><br>
<div class="yiv6711099gmail_quote">On Wed, Jan 12, 2011 at 9:15 AM, _____<span dir="ltr">></span> wrote:<br><br>
<blockquote style="border-left: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); margin: 0pt 0pt 0pt 0.8ex; padding-left: 1ex;" class="yiv6711099gmail_quote">Dear Alan and Donna,<br></blockquote>
<div> </div>
<blockquote style="border-left: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); margin: 0pt 0pt 0pt 0.8ex; padding-left: 1ex;" class="yiv6711099gmail_quote">. . . I'm very disappointed with your public
condemnation of this posting.<br>Without background knowledge of the center
and its funding, besides what you find on the web, it would be far more
professional for you to let well enough alone. I know many of the library
students in the area are interested in additional work experience on their
resume and this could be a great opportunity for them.<br><font color="#888888"><br></font>
<div>
<div></div>
<div class="yiv6711099h5"><br>On 1/12/11 8:52 AM, Alan Cordle, PCC Library wrote:<br>
<blockquote style="border-left: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); margin: 0pt 0pt 0pt 0.8ex; padding-left: 1ex;" class="yiv6711099gmail_quote">"The center houses an endowed chair in applied health
care ethics and two endowed lectureships: The Curtis R. Holzgang, M.D.,
Visiting Scholar and the Goldman-Berland Lectureship in Palliative Care
Education." Instead of dismissively asking for a "volunteer"
librarian, the Center should instead consider an Endowed Librarian --
especially since the expectation is to set up a
library.<br></blockquote><br></div></div></blockquote></div><br>
<p>
</p><hr>
<p></p>_____________________________________________________<br>Libs-Or
mailing
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