Intern promotes importance of libraries
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.
Both years, the library was the only facility in the state chosen, Harkleroad said.
“It's been a great experience,” Harkleroad said.
The program gives high school students the opportunity to learn different aspects of working in a library and highlights diversity, whether through age, gender or other category, she said.
In June, Sarayne traveled to Chicago for an introduction to the program where she met the other interns from across the country.
Career readiness, soft skills, a sense of accomplishment, and an understanding of how libraries work are among the lessons Sarayne will takeaway, Harkleroad said.
In the program, each intern works with a library mentor on a community-based learning project over the course of the summer.
Later this month, Sarayne will travel with Harkleroad and Lori Hinderliter, the library's executive director, to Washington, D.C., where she and the other interns will present and share information about their projects.The position has been a great first job experience, Sarayne said.At age 11, Sarayne's enjoyment of reading led her to volunteer at the library where she has since offered her services, she said.When she was 12, Sarayne attended a creative writing class at the library where she was inspired by how the course was presented, she said.That experience led her to create her own six-week creative writing workshop and curriculum for ages 9 to 13as her internship project.Each week the course will feature a different genre, she said, adding that the first week's focus is science fiction. Attendees will have the opportunity to write short stories weekly based on the specific genre.At the end of the workshop, attendees will participate in a fiction-writing contest. The winner's writing submission will be included in the time capsule as part of the library's 125th anniversary.Sarayne, who said she enjoys writing, keeps a journal filled with ideas she thinks of throughout the day and writes based on that material, she said.Additionally, her daily tasks in the library include shelving books and processing and organizing materials.In the future, Sarayne plans to pursue psychology, sociology and/or writing and play college basketball, she said.Through the opportunity offered at the library, she said she has gained more trust and confidence in herself to accomplish tasks.Although job experience and a resume item are a plus, Sarayne said she would recommend teens try an internship or volunteer opportunity.“It's always good to give back to your community,” she said.
Here are events at the Butler Area Public Library for tweens and teens. For more information, contact Tiffany Harkleroad at tharkleroad@bcfls.org or call 724-287-1715:WORKSHOPWHAT: A six-week creative writing program for ages 9 to 13 conducted by library intern and student Sarayne Forbes of ButlerWHEN: Starts at 6 p.m. Oct. 17 and for five Thursdays after that, except Thanksgiving week.NOTE: The session is limited to 10 spots. Participants are expected to attend half the sessions. Registration is required.VolunteerWHAT: A program for tweens and teens from fourth grade to 12th grade to drop in for volunteer sessions to work on small projects to help the library, while they socialize with friends.WHEN: 4 to 6 p.m. Oct. 10 and Nov. 7.
