LIBRARY TEEN OUTREACH INTERN

Job Overview

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Compensation

Type:
Hourly
Rate:
Exact $16.00
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Benefits

Starting pay of 15.92 per hour or 16.40 per hour for City residents
Experience in library and community engagement
Opportunities for professional development and mentorship
Flexible part-time schedule with after-school and weekend hours
Exposure to technology and Makerspace resources
Networking with library staff and community partners
Valuable skills in project management communication and leadership

Job Description

The City of Milwaukee is committed to fostering a diverse workforce dedicated to delivering outstanding service to its residents. As a governmental entity, the City offers dynamic opportunities for individuals passionate about public service and community engagement. One such opportunity exists within the Milwaukee Public Library (MPL), an essential community resource that supports learning, growth, and connection among people of all ages. MPL is renowned for providing inclusive, innovative library services and spaces designed to empower youth and adults alike. The library’s mission and vision focus on creating access to information, technology, and culture, while promoting lifelong learning within Milwaukee’s diverse neighborhoods.Show More
This part-time role specifically targets high school students passionate about youth engagement and community service: the Teen Outreach Intern position. Interns contribute significantly to MPL’s "Connected Learning for Teens" initiative, a program designed to involve teens actively in library services and programs tailored to their needs. This internship is a unique chance for young individuals to become integral voices for MPL, fostering peer mentorship, leading creative projects, and helping design new teen-centered programs and spaces. Through this position, interns gain valuable career and life skills including project management, public speaking, marketing, and leadership.

Working an average of 10 hours per week during the school year, with some flexibility including after-school and weekend hours, interns rotate among various Milwaukee Public Library branches such as Mitchell Street, Good Hope, Martin Luther King, and Washington Park. The role extends beyond traditional library tasks by incorporating the operation and promotion of Makerspaces, supporting arts initiatives, and engaging in community outreach activities. Interns have the opportunity to learn technical skills like Adobe Creative Suite, social media marketing, and grant writing, while also building competencies in communication, professionalism, and teamwork.

The City of Milwaukee offers a starting hourly wage of $15.92, with a resident incentive raising this to $16.40 per hour for city residents. The selection process includes interviews and background checks, ensuring candidates are dedicated and qualified. This internship is ideal for motivated high school students aged 16 to 18 who want to make a meaningful impact, develop 21st-century literacies, and expand their career horizons within a supportive environment committed to inclusivity and excellence.

Joining MPL as a Teen Outreach Intern means becoming part of a community that values diversity, creativity, and public service. The program supports youth development while addressing the evolving needs of Milwaukee’s teenagers through innovative learning experiences and hands-on involvement in library programming. This is more than just an internship; it is a pathway towards positive personal growth, community connection, and professional readiness—equipping teens to lead, inspire, and contribute to their neighborhoods effectively.Show Less

Job Requirements

  • Currently enrolled in high school
  • Must be at least 16 years old at time of application July 18 2025 and may not be more than 18 years old on the starting date of the internship September 1 2025
  • Must have reliable transportation to and from work

Job Qualifications

  • Currently enrolled in high school
  • Able leadership experience in school and other relevant activities
  • Genuine interest in helping peers to develop 21st-century literacies
  • Ability to learn technology fundamentals including the Adobe Creative Suite
  • Ability to learn communications and marketing principles particularly social media
  • Basic project management skills
  • Planning organizational and time management skills
  • Ability to read work-related documents in English
  • Ability to express oneself well in writing
  • Ability to speak clearly and confidently
  • Ability to develop rapport with peers parents and community partners
  • Ability to work well both independently and in a team
  • Commitment to positively representing the MPL
  • Ability to serve as an effective steward of City resources

Job Duties

  • Develop and implement projects designed to engage teens in all that MPL has to offer including building citywide programs targeted to teens spearheading major teen initiatives hosting events and drop-in programs for teens and consulting on new models for teen services at the library
  • Help facilitate daily Open Making Time in MPL Makerspaces
  • Work closely with patrons to help them engage with equipment programming and instruction in the Makerspaces
  • Assist with grant writing tours and presentations to support the continued growth of MPL Makerspaces
  • Consult on the design for new teen spaces and services in collaboration with other teens in the community
  • Create placemaking art for Makerspaces and help engage families and educators in using library resources
  • Help promote library events and programs for teens
  • Serve as a liaison to peers using social media and other effective strategies to engage teens in MPL programs and resources
  • Learn how gaining experience as a library intern supports future plans and help peers connect the dots between internships and their future by hosting college and career readiness programs
  • Work closely with colleagues in the internship program MPL staff and community members to achieve the mission and serve the community Provide advice on multiple library projects that target teens and their related markets
  • Document activities measure progress and report on accomplishments as coached by MPL staff

Job Location

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