Student Engagement Interest Group - Preparing Students for the Library and Health Information Workforce

Background: The purpose of the Network of the National Library of Medicine’s (NNLM) Student Engagement Interest Group (SEIG) is to advance the mission of NNLM by sharing participating regional offices and center's (ROCs) student engagement-related activities and prioritizing those appropriate for national coordination. Additionally, the SEIG prioritizes students, high school age and older, from traditionally marginalized communities and those underrepresented in biomedical research when conducting student engagement activities.
Since the creation of the SEIG, the group has explored how NNLM can support students in acquiring experience in a professional setting, gaining access to mentors who can guide them in preparation to enter the library and information workforce and develop knowledge and skills to become better versed in health information resources.

Description: The SEIG consists of 10 members that meet once a month to identify and develop NNLM-wide strategies and metrics to advance student engagement, implement and evaluate strategies in increasing student engagement across the country, including those from underrepresented populations in biomedical research, and guide the development of programs that enhance skills of students in NLM resources and interest within the health professions, including health sciences librarianship.
Some examples the SEIG has discussed for promoting student engagement are sharing project ideas that would benefit the intern or practicum student’s overall experience and support their areas of interest, methods to engage with LIS and iSchool programs to recruit potential students for practicums and internships, and providing opportunities to acquire knowledge and tools for students that may not be able to obtain in their program.

Recently, an NLM fellow partnered with SEIG to further develop a page on the NNLM website that lists opportunities available within each of the ROCs, along with contact information for students to access when looking for potential sites to do a project or internship.

Conclusion: The SEIG made great progress in supporting LIS/iSchool students in acquiring knowledge and experiences to better prepare them for the library and information field. This progress led to hosting practicums and internships across several ROCs. For instance, the group collaborated with Region 1 to create a plan on how NNLM can support the University of Kentucky students participating in the Alternative Spring Break.
The committee also produced a draft of the student engagement handbook that NNLM ROCs can use as a guide to effectively recruit, host, and provide quality mentorship experiences for students choosing to spend their practicum or internship time with the NNLM program. The handbook is anticipated to be finalized and implemented in the coming year.