Summary

Graduate students in Library and Information Studies are invited to spend a summer as an intern in a library in Botswana! Interns work with the librarian and paraprofessionals assigned to the library to develop and model proactive library services with academic support from the University of Botswana Department of Library and Information Studies.

In particular, the internship aims to:
1. assist in the development and support of library committees or boards to involve the community in the support of the library;
2. to develop programming, including basic computer and information literacy instruction and story times, for all ages of community members and to be proactive in engaging the community in planning for these programs; and
3. to assist in the development and management of appropriate collections to serve the communities.

Interns will be placed in rural villages outside of Gaborone and will stay with local families. Experiencing the contrasts between the traditional and the modern makes this a truly unique internship experience.

Academics

Students and their Botswana supervisors, as well as their UW-Madison SLIS supervisor, will complete an internship agreement outlining activities and planned learning outcomes. Participants will keep a journal (most likely in blog and/or wiki format) so that all parties can keep up with what is going on, as well as read appropriate materials before and during the internship experience. The culminating experience will be an evaluative paper included in a web based portfolio and a presentation.

Participants will earn 6 credits of LIS 620: Field Projects in Libraries and Information Agencies upon successful completion of the program.

The assessment of the students performance will have three parts: self-assessment, assessment by the supervisor at the University of Botswana in collaboration with the onsite librarian, and assessment by the UW SLIS instructor. Email or Skype or telephone or videoconferences will be set up at intervals during the summer so that the student has consistent and ongoing guidance and can communicate with and contribute to learning at SLIS.

Cost

Program cost information includes not only program fees, but out-of-pocket expenses with notes to help explain costs. Program fees are estimated and can be adjusted at any time. Accepted students receive cost sheets with confirmed program fees in their acceptance packets.

Summer 2008-09 Cost Estimate Sheet Summer 2009-10 Cost Estimate Sheet

Location

Interns will be placed in rural villages outside of the capitol city, Gaborone. Gaborone is often cited as the world's fastest growing city and is the seat of power for one of Africa's most successful economies. Currently, interns could be placed in the villages of Mmankgodi, 45 km from the capital of Gaborone; Kopong, 35km from Gaborone; and Ramokgonami, 250 km north of Gaborone. Libraries are also under construction at Matlhako, 250 km northeast of Gaborone; and Shakawe, in the far northwest corner of Botswana.

Student Life

Orientation:  Students are required to attend the pre-departure orientation at UW-Madison. When students arrive in Botswana, they will receive an orientation as well as a tour of the library and the town where they will be living.

Housing:  On-site staff in Botswana will make housing arrangements for participants. Students will be housed with a local family and will have their own bedroom and bed. Arrangements in a guest house or private housing may be possible.

Excursions and Activities:  There are a multitude of sites to visit in and around Gaborone including traditional cultural villages, small museums, a rural pottery project, rock engravings, and game parks including the world-renowned Chobe National Park, that boasts Africa's "Big 5" animals.

Botswana is a land of contrasts, where one can experience a wide variety of lifestyles. During free time, interns can travel from the busy urban centres, to rural villages, and even to the most remote life of the San people. Northern Botswana boasts the Okavango Delta which is the largest freshwater wetland in Africa and an oasis for one of the greatest concentrations of wildlife in Africa.