Preface: By Douglas Rendell, Director, Peabody Institute Library, Danvers It has been real pleasure working with Danielle Ambrose as part of the Pilot Internship Program created by Susan Babb and NMRLS. Danielle has had the unique experience of "trying out" a career prior to making a decision about her future. As a result of her experiences here in Danvers, Danielle has decided to pursue a career in libraries. All of us here are thrilled. Danielle has worked with the Library administration, the Children's department, and the Reference department. We know that she has learned a lot but so have we. We have looked at our projects and policies through new eyes and we have gained insight into how we are viewed by our younger patrons. Danielle has become a popular member of the staff. We will be sorry to see her leave but we are excited to know that she will be a future librarian. We know that the future of our profession is in good hands, indeed.

My Experience As An Intern at Peabody Institute Library in Danvers
By Danielle Ambrose

I knew that I wanted to do something different for the last semester of my senior year, something that would be more practical than just taking classes to fill up requirements. So, after brainstorming about some of the things that I love to do, I came up with: interacting with and helping people of all ages and reading books. Working at a library seemed to be the perfect answer. Through the Gordon College Career office, I was given Susan Babb's name and the rest of the puzzle pieces quickly fit together! Before I knew it, I was in a meeting with Doug Rendell, Director of Peabody Institute Library in Danvers, and Department Heads Donna Maturi and JoAnne Dearin, planning the time that I would spend there over the next few months!

It was really important to all of us that I got a well-rounded and broad experience of the Library. So, we then decided that I would split my time between projects in each of their areas of expertise. I would learn the "Behind the Scenes" view of the Library from Doug, involving paperwork, numbers and lots of copying and collating jobs. They weren't always the most glamorous tasks, but I was quick to learn that without them, the Library would not work as smoothly! It was really interesting for me to work on projects involving our Budget, I was really able to get a sense of the realistic view of how much running a library costs, salaries and other expenses.

Working with Donna Maturi, the Head Reference Librarian was really a pleasure! She has so many great ideas for the YA population of the Library! From the beginning, we brainstormed for the "perfect event" to hold this spring, in conjunction with the Homework Center. Our answer was to hold an "Open Mic Poetry Coffeehouse" for the Middle School Students of Danvers. We dove in headfirst and began planning in late January. I earned valuable experience, (and got over a large case of phone phobia) by sending out letters and calling local businesses to donate prizes and refreshments, and notifying the local schools of the event. Donna's connections to the Dunn Middle School Librarian, Ann Distasio, helped us to get the teachers on board with support and promises of extra credit for their students in attendance. I created postcard fliers to circulate at our library, DMS and St. Mary's School in Danvers for publicity and contacted the newspapers. I didn't really know what to expect, wondering if I would have success with numbers or even if the students would be interested!

All my worries were needless! Over 115 students attended our Poetry Coffeehouse on April 11, 2003 from both schools! Forty-four students bravely read, while the rest respectfully listened. It was a relaxing night of their original poetry, refreshments and listening to local Gordon College band "Cedar Lane Connection", who opened and closed the evening. All of the hard work paid off! It is inevitable that next year, students will be looking forward to the National Poetry Month, for another event at their library!

"Five green and speckled frogs, sitting on a speckled log, eating some most delicious bugs, YUM YUM!!!…" Monday and Wednesday mornings were some of my favorite time at the Library, because of Story Hour! I was so fortunate to be allowed to read stories and sing with some of the Library's most active and excited patrons. It was so fulfilling to see the kids run to the story pit, laugh at the silly stories and songs, and to see the parents relaxed, enjoying the time as well. I loved the opportunity to spend time interacting with patrons, and always felt special when asked to help them find a book or recommend a similar author or book. It really was a blessing to join JoAnne Dearin, Kim Barker, and Joan Catanzano in this fun and rewarding time!

In addition to Story Hour in the Children's Room, I was able to lead a book group for 2nd- 3rd grades Danvers students. When we advertised, seventeen kids signed up, but the actual group ranged monthly in size from five to eleven, and always ended up being only girls! We had a great time reading Charlotte's Web and Stuart Little by E.B White, Superfudge by Judy Blume and Matilda by Roald Dahl, meeting once a month for four months. Over refreshments, the girls and I would discuss our likes and dislikes of each book, the characters, alternate endings, and the positive/negative differences between the movie and the book versions. I tried each time to provide a crossword puzzle or word search as an extra activity also. I really learned a lot from the girls, about their interpretations of the novels, their short attention spans, and their need for lots of refreshments!

Overall, I have learned so much from my experience at the PIL, I have really enjoyed the staff, and gleaning from each of them bits and pieces of knowledge. My time here has solidified my desire to pursue further schooling in Library Science, especially helped me to see that I think my place belongs in working with young adults and children. Thank you Susan Babb, Doug Rendell and everyone at the Library for helping me to have a great and fruitful last semester at Gordon College! I've loved every minute!