Library residencies and internships as indicators of success: evidence from three programs

This paper discusses post-master's degree internships in three very differe nt organizations; the University of Illinois at Chicago, the National Libra ry of Medicine, and the Library of Congress. It discusses the internships u sing several questions. Do the programs serve as a recruitment strategy? Do the programs develop key competencies needed by the participant or organiz ation? Do the programs develop leaders and managers? Is acceptance into a p rogram an indicator of future career success? A survey was mailed to 520 pe rsons who had completed internships in one of the three programs. There was a 49.8% response rate. Responses to fifty-four questions were tabulated an d analyzed for each program and for the total group. The results confirm th e value of internships to the career of participants.