6
FROM THE SHELF
JULY 27�AUG. 3, 2022
CHECKING OUT THE
WORLD OF BOOKS
Teen interns shine at local libraries
By Erin McCusker
For Go! Magazine
Public libraries often tell of their challenges to reach
out and engage with teens. Several Umatilla County public
libraries hired teen interns this summer to connect with
the teens in their communities.
Stephanie Partida, director of Athena Public Library,
chose to hire a teen intern this year to help with the sum-
mer workload and to create an opportunity for a teen to
learn how a library operates, experience a professional
work environment and grow their resume.
James Simpson, assistant director at Pendleton Pub-
lic Library, shared that they decided to host interns this
summer because they saw the benefi t of extra hands
during the Summer Reading Program events.
Susana Sotelo, director of Umatilla Public Library,
wanted to get teens into the library. The library’s hope
was that by hosting a teen intern, they would be able to
gain an insight into what teens need and want to see at
their library.
Partida and Sotelo both applied for and received a
Teen Internship Grant from the State Library of Oregon.
This grant provided funding for a summer teen intern
at the library. The goal of the grant was for the teen to
create a program, event or resource that refl ects their
interest while providing a community service.
In Athena, teen intern Luna Dennett has been expand-
ing the library’s outreach to the community by delivering
a learning program at the local Tuesday Farmers Market.
In Umatilla, teen intern Jocelyn Silvani came to the
library with the idea of an Anime Club for teens.
She planned a weekly program that will run for a
month. She also took the lead on creating fl yers, budget-
ed for the program and advertised in the community and
on social media.
In Umatilla, teen intern Jocelyn Silvani came to the
library with the idea of an Anime Club for teens. She
planned a weekly program that will run for a month.
She also took the lead on creating flyers, budgeted
for the program and advertised in the community
and on social media.
While Pendleton Public Library did not apply for the
grant, they chose to hire teen interns to provide two high
school students with professional job experience, in addi-
tion to having the extra help during a very busy time of year.
All three librarians have seen the benefi ts of having
teen interns in the library.
Partida shared that having a teen in the Athena
Library has provided insight into how to better serve the
teen community, improved the library’s media presence
and gave them a view through teen eyes. Additionally,
they were able to see how valuable an internship has
been to the library and opened the door to future intern-
ships.
Sotelo shared that the Umatilla Library has made con-
nections with new teens, as well as provided an opportu-
nity for a teen to develop professional skills and to learn
what providing a service to the community is all about.
Simpson said that both interns have been great at
assisting with prepping and helping to run the Pendleton
Library’s story times and events, as well as helping with
the Parks & Recreation Summer Camp groups.
The following books were recommended by the teen
interns — pick them up at any library in Umatilla County:
• “The Bell Jar” by Sylvia Plath
• “Big Magic” by Elizabeth Gilbert
• “Fight Club” by Chuck Palahniuk
• The Percy Jackson Series by Rick Riordan
• “Sea of Tranquility” by Emily St. John Mandel
Welcome
HotRod-A-Rama
Erin McCusker/Contributed Image
Umatilla County libraries hired teen interns this summer
who developed a variety of programs, including an
Anime Club at the Umatilla Public Library.
• “Simple Murder” by Linda Castillo
Find more information at www.ucsld.org/.
Erin McCusker is the district director of the Umatilla
County Special Library District. Reach her at 541-276-
6449 or director@ucsld.org.
Latin Dance Night
w/ DJ Big Wispr
August 5th
Audio & E-Books Available
Pendleton
Hermiston
241 S Main Street 201 E Main Street
(541) 377-2434
(541) 371-4114
Locations open 11am - 8pm every day!
Doors at 8PM, DJ starts at 9PM.
21 and Up, $5 Cover.
Jump onto the dance floor and let’s party!
See
for more info
Electric Sundown
14 SE 3rd Street, Pendleton
Hours:
Tue-Sat 10am-6pm
1813 Main St, Baker City, OR
(541) 523-7551
https://bettysbooks.indielite.org