Nashville Public Library offers internships and library practicums for college and graduate school students.
In observance of the Christmas holiday, all library locations close at 1 PM Monday, December 23, and reopen Thursday, December 26.
College Internships & Library Practicum
About Internships and Library Practicums
Library Internships
Library internships are designed for college students with interests in many disciplines of the humanities, social sciences, arts, and education. Students engage in career exploration and complete well-defined projects, supervised by library staff who mentor and guide. Time commitment is usually 100-150 hours during a semester (10-15 hours per week). Available internships change each term.
High school students and youth seeking summer internships should check with the POWER Youth Summer Employment Initiative (formerly Opportunity Now), which offers internships, work experiences, and a job portal for youth ages 14-24.
Library Practicums
The Library Practicum is designed for MLIS/MIS graduate students preparing for library careers. It offers both breadth and depth of experience through a carefully structured sequence of assignments in different Nashville Public Library divisions and branches, followed by an extended assignment in an area of professional interest. The practicum is normally a 150 hour commitment within a semester (10-15 hours per week).
Application Process
Apply online using the form linked at the end of each position description. You may indicate interest in more than one position on the form. Applicants will be contacted to schedule a telephone interview and may be asked to submit additional materials. Applications undergo a thorough review and students will be notified of their status.
The Library offers internships and library practicums for spring, summer and fall terms. Position descriptions, requirements, and qualifications are posted for individual positions as they become available, up to one year in advance.
Internships and practicums are open until filled. Placement is competitive and not guaranteed. We are not able to accommodate late requests or applications.
Opportunities
Internship Available:
Spring 2025
Project Description:
The Metro Archives is seeking a motivated and detail-oriented intern to assist with processing and preserving historical collections. Duties will include inventorying, arranging, describing, and creating finding aids for a variety of collections, including personal papers and governmental or organizational records. These materials offer valuable insight into Nashville's political, community, and urban development.
Qualifications:
- Currently enrolled in a college or graduate program in History, Public History, Library Science, Archival Studies, English, Political Science, or a related field.
- Enthusiasm for history, political science, and archival work.
- Ability to work independently with strong attention to detail and accuracy.
- Knowledge of Excel, digital imaging, and basic document preservation techniques is preferred.
Position Type:
- In-person, weekday schedule with flexibility for additional hours if needed for academic credit.
- A valuable opportunity to gain hands-on experience in archival processing and historical preservation.
Internship Available:
Spring Term (120 hours)
Project Description:
Location
120 White Bridge Rd. #46 Nashville, TN 37209
Overview
The Collections and Technology division of Nashville Public Library is seeking a dedicated and enthusiastic TV Production Intern to join our NECAT (Nashville Education, Community, and Arts Television) team. The intern must be a current college student. This unpaid internship provides a unique opportunity to work alongside internal and external producers in a professional studio environment, gaining hands-on experience with production equipment and processes.
Key Responsibilities
- Assist internal and external producers during studio productions, contributing to various aspects of the production process.
- Operate and learn to use various television production equipment under the guidance of experienced studio staff.
- Gain familiarity with broadcast automation tools, such as Cablecast, and support their integration into production workflows.
- Maintain and organize studio and customer data using the ZOHO CRM platform, ensuring accurate and efficient record-keeping.
- Participate in production meetings and collaborate with team members to enhance creative concepts and execution.
- Help with general studio operations, including equipment setup, teardown, and maintenance.
What You Will Gain
- Hands-on experience in a professional television production setting.
- Insight into broadcast automation and production processes.
- Mentorship from experienced professionals in the industry.
- Networking opportunities within the television production community.
Qualifications:
- Experience or coursework in videography, video editing, animation, photography, or audio production.
- Familiarity with production equipment and software is advantageous, but a willingness to learn is essential.
- Basic knowledge of broadcast automation tools or similar systems.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite; experience with ZOHO CRM is a plus.
- Strong communication and teamwork skills, with an ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment.
- Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
Position Type:
Compensation: Unpaid however intern will receive Free NECAT Membership for a year following completion of Internship. Ability to produce and air their own projects on NECAT Network. Free use of production equipment for projects to be aired on NECAT Network during duration of internship and a year following completion.
Internship Available:
Spring 2025
Project Description:
The Metropolitan Archives in the Nashville Public Library seeks an intern to assist with social media accounts. Duties involve managing the Archives’ Facebook and Instagram accounts. This includes scheduling weekly content for socials, keeping up with content statistics, and creating a social media calendar for future posts. The current social media mission of the Archives is to share historic photographs, videos, and other records that help educate followers of Nashville’s historic past, and we do this also by following current social media trends. The internship duties will also include keeping track of current social media trends to create new themes/content for our socials to help continue this mission and grow our follower base/audience. Other duties might also include creating content for blog posts, newsletters, exhibits, and any other outreach needs.
Benefits
- Learn about archival practices, digitization, and preservation techniques.
- Opportunity to contribute to meaningful projects that educate the community about Nashville’s history.
- Exposure to various aspects of archival work, including research, collection management, and outreach.
Qualifications:
Education
- Currently enrolled in a college or graduate program in Social Media Management, Communications, Marketing, History, Library Science, Archival Studies, Political Science, Public Relations, or a related field.
Skills
- Strong interest in history, archival work, or social media management.
- Familiarity with Facebook, Instagram, and social media best practices.
- Ability to work independently and accurately with attention to detail.
- Basic proficiency in Microsoft Excel or Google Sheets for content planning and tracking.
- Strong written communication skills for creating engaging social media posts, blog content, and other outreach materials.
Qualities
- Curiosity about Nashville’s history or a willingness to learn more.
- Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple projects.
- Interest in archival work and learning about the processes behind preserving historical documents.
Position Type:
Flexible work hours (with a set schedule to be determined) and the chance to work with a collaborative, supportive team.