Name: Wilhelmina Lawher-Lawher
Class Year: 2028
Internship Organization: Library and Technology Information Services (LITS),
Bryn Mawr College
Internship Title: Summer Library Resident
Location: Bryn Mawr, PA
What’s happening at your internship? We would love to hear what kind of work you are doing!
From left – I, Sunny(’25) & Jess(’25) at our second Books on Wheels event as part of our summer reading program
This summer, I’m one of six Summer Library Residents working full-time with the Library and Technology Information Services (LITS). This program is designed to allow students to learn more about the field of library and information science by gaining hands-on job training and working experience with librarians. No two days are the same, and that’s what makes it exciting. I’ve been rotating through departments and learning about different aspects of library work, from front-facing public services to technical and behind-the-scenes operations. Some of my day-to-day responsibilities include assisting patrons at the Canaday and Carpenter circulation desks, shelving books, labeling and processing new materials, inventorying collections, and helping with large-scale measuring and shifting projects. These tasks have shown me how much coordination and attention to detail are required to maintain a functional and accessible library. Beyond the daily operations, I’m working on two larger, collaborative projects with the other residents. First, I’m working with two other residents to design and launch an info kiosk in Canaday Library. We created informative trifold brochures covering topics like how to find a book and using Tripod, where to find different study spaces, how to use EZBorrow/ILL, and how to connect with research and subject librarians, among others. In creating this info kiosk, we thought carefully about the location of the kiosk and how to make the information visually engaging and accessible. We hope the info kiosk will make a real difference in how all students feel and interact with the library. As an extension of LITS’ Summer Reading Program, we designed and launched the Summer Reading Bingo Game, as well as hosted two Books on Wheels events, all of which were open to students, faculty, staff, and alumni/ae, to encourage participation and reading. The bingo sheets we created had fun prompts like “read a book in a swimsuit” or “read a book by a non-American author.” Participants who complete a row win prizes. It’s been so satisfying to see people across the Bryn Mawr community engage with our Bingo game, as we see it as a small but joyful way to build reading culture.
Why did you apply for this internship?
I’ve always viewed libraries as more than just study spaces. For me, they’ve been places of community, curiosity, and discovery. As someone who values accessibility and educational equity, I wanted to explore how libraries serve not just individuals but entire communities. When I saw the Library Summer Residency posting, I thought of it as an opportunity to both gain work experience and learn more about the field of library and information science. As a Bryn Mawr student, I also appreciated that this internship would let me see the inner workings of the very libraries available to me. This program has added a new layer of appreciation for the spaces that have supported my academic journey so far.
What has been your favorite part of this internship?
Hands down, working on the info kiosk project has been my favorite part. It allowed me to be creative and practical at the same time. My group was responsible for identifying gaps in knowledge that new students might have about library resources, then translating that into approachable and visually friendly brochures. We spent time writing, designing, choosing colors and layouts, and mapping out the kiosk’s placement to make it as accessible and welcoming as possible. We contemplated questions like: Where do students naturally pause in the library? What kind of language feels inviting instead of intimidating? The whole process, from research to design to implementation, felt like a real-world application of user-centered design, something I didn’t expect to be doing in a library setting but thoroughly enjoyed.
What is something you have learned from your internship that you didn’t expect?
I didn’t expect to learn just how many different career paths exist within Library and Information Science. Through weekly discussions, I’ve gotten to speak with archivists, catalogers, digital scholarship specialists, research librarians, and even with Chris Barth, our new CIO/Director of Libraries. What surprised me the most is how interdisciplinary libraries are today. I must admit that no two people have the same background or career path. I used to think of libraries primarily as solely book-centered spaces, but this internship has shown me that they’re evolving into hubs for digital access, activism, and scholarly communication. Additionally, this internship has helped me strengthen both technical and interpersonal skills in ways I didn’t anticipate. For example: Customer service: Working the circulation desk taught me how to assist patrons efficiently and kindly. Attention to detail: Whether it’s labeling materials accurately or shelving in precise call number order, this work has enhanced my focus and patience. Project planning and collaboration: From brainstorming and designing the info kiosk to organizing the Summer Reading Bingo program, I’ve had the chance to collaborate with my colleagues to plan and execute our projects as well as learn to work independently when necessary. Adaptability: Tasks and priorities shift daily, and being able to adapt and remain flexible has been an important skill I have improved on. These skills have taught me how to work in collaborative, service-driven environments, which I believe will benefit me in future endeavors. I encourage every member of the Bryn Mawr College community, from students, staff, faculty, to alumnae, to make full use of the library. Some resources and services often go unnoticed, but once you start exploring, you’ll be amazed by how much easier, richer, and more fulfilling your academic and even personal journey can become. Whether you need research support, a quiet study space, reading recommendations, or help with interlibrary loans, Bryn Mawr College’s libraries are here for you.