Two Health Science Librarian Apprenticeships Available, North Atlantic Health Sciences Libraries (NAHSL) regional chapter of MLA, (Worcester, MA & Farmington, CT)

Posted May 6, 2023

Are you an MLS or MLIS student who needs library experience for your resume? Do you want to get additional, specialized training in health sciences librarianship?

About North Atlantic Health Sciences Libraries:

North Atlantic Health Sciences Libraries (NAHSL) is a regional, professional organization of librarians and individuals representing Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Maine. NAHSL is also a regional chapter of the Medical Library Association (MLA). We were established in 1958, and we became a regional chapter of MLA in 1981. We are committed to professional development, networking, promoting excellence, and advancing the interest of health science libraries and librarians. https://nahsl.libguides.com/c.php?g=774707&p=5557666

Apprenticeship Description:

NAHSL seeks applicants for two apprenticeship positions for the pilot year of the NAHSL Health Sciences Library Apprenticeship Program (HSLAP). We are offering this program to better prepare students seeking jobs in the medical library profession.

HSLAP is a 6-month [summer/fall] internship/apprenticeship for graduate students enrolled in a MLS (or equivalent) degree program who have completed at least one full-time or two part-time semesters of course work. We will provide 12 weeks of remote educational opportunities, a one week on-site practical learning experience with a health sciences librarian mentor, NAHSL membership, and free attendance to the 2023 virtual NAHSL meeting on November 15, 2023.

There are two sites available for the one week on-site component (Fall 2023, exact week to be determined by mentor and mentee):

UConn Health Sciences Library (Farmington, CT)
Focus on liaison librarianship (expert searching & instruction)
Project: Create a libguide; curriculum development & support for a medical or dental course
Lamar Souter Library at the University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School (Worcester, MA)
Focus on scholarly communications and instruction
Project: Create a 15-minute tutorial on a scholarly communications topic

As this program involves one week of full time on-site work in a library with a mentor, applicants must be able to travel to either Farmington, CT or Worcester, MA daily. HSLAP provides a per diem for daily travel expenses and workday meals, but does not reimburse for expenses such as flights or lodging. Curriculum materials, NAHSL membership for the 6 months, and NAHSL meeting registration are provided as a part of the program.

The program has four main components.

Twelve weeks of didactic learning (est. 3 hours/week) that include:

a. Network of the National Library of Medicine CE courses

b. Medical Library Association courses

c. Journal club (the opportunity for a group to gather and discuss recent literature published in the field)

d. Online discussion

e. Reflection opportunities

f. Time to complete a final project or presentation

g. Check-ins with mentors and project directors

2. A week-long practical learning experience on-site with a mentor

3. Completion of a project that could be highlighted in job application (see site descriptions above)

4. Attendance at the 2023 virtual NAHSL conference on November 15, 2023

a. Meet a community of health sciences and medical librarians from academic, hospital, and government libraries

b. Jumpstart networking with potential future employers and colleagues

Requirements:

Graduate students enrolled in a MLS (or equivalent) degree program who have completed at least one full-time or two part-time semesters of course work
An interest in Health Science/Medical Librarianship.

How to Apply

To apply, please visit: https://unh.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_9TwdN1mDYg0a30a. Please note that this application requires a current CV/resume, and the application should take about 15 minutes to complete.

Questions? Contact the HSLAP team at [email protected], [email protected], or [email protected].

Applications are due May 29, 2023 at 11:59 pm EDT