Field Placement Information


Submitted by Leslie Williams


Danielle Quinnette, Editor


Have you thought of a field placement? If so, you may have questions.
Who can give me more information and details about field placement requirements? Dawn Patton, Administrative Secretary for DLIS, has information sheets detailing the application procedure and academic requirements for field placements, which are done for course credit. Rachel Callison, the new Assistant to the Chair, who begins February 1, will also have information on this topic.
How do I find a field placement site? This article will give you information about people in the area who know about field placements, but there are many more opportunities in the Pittsburgh area than can be listed in this article. Faculty members can offer suggestions. It is also helpful to speak with students currently involved in a field study or who are working in an area library. Also, don't hesitate to explore new territory. Be sure to get a copy of the field placement application before going through a great deal of effort to arrange a placement. Lastly, make sure you have completed an prerequisites and have your faculty advisor approve the placement, because they will act as your DLIS monitor for the field placement.

The following are comments made by field placement representatives who spoke at the field placement workshop last fall.
Denise Gelormini, Administrative Coordinator, Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh
The Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh has numerous field placement opportunities in departments such as science and technology, humanities, and children's. Placements are also available in the Business Information Center located downtown, the Beginning with Books program, and the Electronic Information Network (EIN). There is a fact sheet available on the 6th floor that will give further information about each of the departments. Denise is more than happy to talk with potential field placement candidates. She can be reached by phone at 622-8874 or via e-mail at gelorminid@clpgh.org

Charlene Hovatter, Internship Coordinator, Hillman Library
Hillman Library provides field placements and internships for students interested in academic librarianship. Students work in the main reference area and are given a basic orientation as well as a weekly training session every Friday from 10 am to 12 noon. Hillman accepts students for either its internship program (paid) or its field placement program (nonpaid, credit only). Contact Charlene at 648-7723 or by e-mail cehova+@pitt.edu for more details

Nancy Tannery, Assistant Director of Public Services, Falk Library
According to Nancy, medical librarianship is one of the fastest growing areas of library and information services. She and the staff at Falk Library would like to work with students to help them get experience in this competitive area. Experience in reference, technology, and other special projects are an example of what a student can look forward to in working at Falk. For more details, e-mail Nancy at nht2120+@pitt.edu or call her at 648-9688.

Missy Harvey, Computer Science Librarian, Carnegie Mellon University
CMU has two sorts of placements. The first is the Information Assistant program in which SIS graduate students are employed to work in the Hunt Library Information Center, Engineering and Science Library, and the Mellon Institute Library. The second kind of placement is non-paying for course credit. In the past, CMU has had interns in Fine Arts and Special Collections, Technical Services, Reference, and Archives. This particular opportunity is customized for each student. Missy can be reached at harvey@andrew.cmu.edu For the Information Assistant positions and non-paying placements, contact Adele Barsch at adele@andrew.cmu.edu

Ted Bergfelt, Coordinator of Public Services, Grace library, Carlow College
Carlow College has developed a field placement program that will provide students with an opportunity to gain experience in all aspects of public service in a small and busy academic library. Interns will be involved in reference services, bibliographic instruction, and circulation services. To apply, contact Ted Bergfelt at Grace Library, Carlow College, 3333 Fifth Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15213. His phone number is 578-6139 and his e-mail is tberg@carlow.edu

This is by no means a comprehensive listing of field placement opportunities. If your area of interest was not mentioned, contact your faculty advisor.