Student Stories

This summer we joined the Library Environments department for an internship focused on exploring the meaning of library as a place in different countries and cultures, in order to help the U-M Library make its spaces more welcoming and inclusive for our international students. The objective of this project was to learn how scholars in other countries engage with library spaces: the kinds of spaces available, and norms for their use. In this blog post we reflect on our experiences in the internship.

This past summer, I had the opportunity to work with the U-M Library Copyright Office (LCO) to develop a resource on international copyright law. As a rising senior who was still unsure of what I wanted to do after college, I am constantly looking for experiences to help guide me to a decision. This internship did just that. Interning with the Michigan Library Scholars Program not only helped me decide what I want to do once I graduate, but it aided my professional and academic growth.

Graduating senior Meggie Brody shares what she learned from working in a variety of positions at U-M Library, and says, "If I can leave future U-M students with one piece of advice, it would be this: don’t be afraid to ask."

EARTH-RISE is a multidimensional project focusing on bridging the gap between high school and tertiary education in STEM, particularly earth sciences, and addressing the leaky pipeline for students in high schools that are under-funded and lack resources. The earth sciences are generally excluded from most high school curricula. Many earth science majors discovered the track upon entering college; most people are unaware it is a discipline throughout secondary school and beyond. In order to attract the attention of more students, it is important to strengthen earth science secondary (and primary) education. Additionally, two of the major components that promote retention through college and beyond is whether students identify as a member of the scientific community, and whether students have access to mentors they respect who are also enthusiastic. This project hopes to rectify both issues by introducing major topics in earth sciences in an accessible and exciting way (in the high-school classroom, in the laboratory, and in the field).

This program focuses on hands-on experiences (in-class, research and in field) for high school students to encourage retention in earth sciences. EARTH-RISE is designed to form a long-lasting relationship between Ypsilanti Community High School (and Ypsilanti public schools in general), Detroit public schools, and the University of Michigan Earth department. It focuses on encouraging high school students to engage in hands-on activities and research in Earth Sciences. The students at Ypsilanti Community High School received little science education in middle school and, lacking enthusiasm and encouragement from teachers during formative years, have ruled out pursuit of STEM in later years.

BLUElab Thailand unites students from multiple disciplines at the University of Michigan in pursuit of creating sustainable solutions for flood mitigation in our partner district of Mae Chan, Thailand with the collaboration of Chiang Mai University students and faculty in the PURPLElab organization as well as Michigan-based supporters such as BLUElab, the Center for Socially-Engaged Design and University of Michigan faculty.

Our ultimate goal is to create viable, sustainable solutions that satisfies two specific flood-related needs of the Mae Chan community. Currently, we are in the process of creating and selecting designs. We are translating these designs into physical concepts and prototypes, testing them with our newly built pipe-simulation test rig.

When did you first learn about the function of a library? What did you learn was the role of a library? Library Communication and Marketing Intern Meggie Brody surveyed undergraduates in her search for the cause of library anxiety.

My experience as a Michigan Library Scholar during the summer of 2018. The project entitled "Asian Studies Centers Publication Program" had the goal of making backlist publications in Asian Studies from the University of Michigan Press more widely available. Through this program, I was able to gain new experiences and learning opportunities through the library, Michigan Publishing, and the Michigan Press.

My experience with Michigan Library Scholars Internship program was one of professional growth, acquiring knowledge, and refining critical thinking skills. From May until the end of July, I worked on creating and promoting my project: a library research guide for the international performing arts.

This past summer, I was a part of the Michigan Library Scholars program, where I worked a librarian mentor to complete a capstone project with a global or international focus. My project was the International News Resources Assessment Project, whose goal was to explore the kinds of news content the library is able to provide, more effectively document the process of acquiring international news resources, and have a better of understanding of the news landscape internationally.

Meghan Brody reflects on her internship for the Living Library program as a Michigan Library Scholar. She discusses progressive librarianship, social justice, and fostering a more compassionate library community through conversation about identity.