Library intern Sarayne Forbes, 16, of Butler organizes returned books before putting them back on the shelves at the Butler Public Library.

Sarayne Forbes tucked yellow- and orange-jacketed books into their designated shelves as the setting sun's gold-dusted rays streamed through the Butler Area Public Library's windows.

“Libraries are definitely important for kids who might not be able to buy all the books they want to read and how libraries can influence the community in which they are — introduce new ideas communities might not otherwise be open to or know existed,” said Sarayne, 16, a cyberschool student who plays sports for Butler High School's Golden Tornado.

Sarayne has worked as the library's intern since June when she was selected by the library at 218 N. McKean St. for a paid internship opportunity through the Public Library Association.

For a second year, the library was awarded an internship opportunity through the Public Library Association's Inclusive Internship Initiative, a program that offers paid summer-long internships to high school students at their local public library, said Tiffany Harkleroad, youth services librarian.

The Butler library is one of the 48 public libraries hosting interns this summer.

This is an excerpt from a story appearing in Monday's Butler Eagle.