Library Internships Rewarding for Teens

This summer, the Sonoma County Library offered an eight-week-long internship for teenagers interested in exploring library careers and developing work skills. The paid internship began with training, where the teens learned goal setting and identifying leadership styles, while earning a California ServSafe food handler certificate.

Intern Everest Zahner summarized their training by saying, “All I can say is my mom is very grateful for the new cleaning habits.”

The interns ran the Lunch at the Library program at the Cloverdale, Healdsburg, Northwest Santa Rosa, Petaluma, Rohnert Park-Cotati, Sebastopol, and Sonoma Valley branches, where they ordered, set up, and distributed meals, played games with children and created arts and crafts projects.

“The lunch at the library setting provided challenges that required quick thinking and effective solutions,” said teen intern Laurel Hager. She added, “It was very nice to be able to hear people say that they love the library, and that they can’t wait to come back.”

When asked about their experience, the teens reported that the internship taught them responsibility, communication, relationship building, social confidence and customer service.

“I found myself looking forward to the workplace, the friendly staff, and the peace the building holds. Before this summer, I hadn’t considered working in a library and now I’m considering it,” said intern Janelle Chavez Espinoza.

For most of the interns, the most gratifying part of the internship was the opportunity to be creative when they planned crafts and games, including teeth care trivia, slime day, and a vibrant and colorful chalk art caterpillar hopscotch game that also gave kids a chance to practice their numbers.

“I have come to love helping my community—it was great seeing a kid get hyped up over a wooden dinosaur,” said teen intern Luno Portillo.

Even those interns who may not end up pursuing a library career found that watching children enjoy their lunch, learn something, and make new friends made them realize they wanted a career working with young people.

Dylan Sanchez Cortez spoke for many of the interns when he said, “Almost every day was something different, whether it was the people, the activities, or the memories they created. As the end of the internship approached, I realized how quickly it was going by and wished we had more time. Only then did I realize that time is precious.”

Lunch at the Library is a project of the California State Library, supported with funds from the State of California.