Since fall 2010, the Library of the Health Sciences-Chicago at University of Illinois at Chicago has collaborated with Rush University Medical Library to offer a health sciences librarianship practicum with a focus on public services. This joint practicum gives library school students an opportunity to compare and contrast a private versus a public institution. I view my involvement with this practicum as a way to give back to my profession.

Health sciences librarianship was not a career path that I envisioned. My background was in the humanities and I was only familiar with public libraries. Then, while I was getting my Master’s in Information Science, I worked in a health sciences library. Initially, I viewed my position as an opportunity to add experience to my resume and for tuition reimbursement. However, I discovered how fascinating disciplines like medicine and nursing are, and I decided that I wanted my librarianship career to be in the health sciences.

As I have gotten further into my career, I wanted an opportunity to work more with library school students and give them a snapshot of my experience. The joint practicum became the perfect opportunity. Not only do students get to experience two different health sciences libraries, they also are able to network with librarians and staff from various departments within each library. Students have had the opportunity to observe classes and research consultations, attend committee or department meetings, attend morning report, and learn about library departments.

The students also have worked on projects such as creating online or paper tutorials, building LibGuides, or teaching classes. At the end of the practicum, the students make presentations about their experience and note the differences between the institutions. My colleagues and I even published an article with our first student on the joint practicum.

My experience with the practicum has been one of the most rewarding things that I have done in my career. I have enjoyed my collaboration with Rush University Medical Library and working with the students in developing a practicum experience that will match their interests.

I encourage health sciences libraries to host a library school student, and to collaborate on a practicum with librarians from other institutions. Library school students bring an enthusiasm that is invigorating and a fresh perspective to the library. Health sciences librarianship practicums also may show students an aspect of librarianship that may not be fully addressed in their curriculum. The practicum may be the only opportunity the students have to fully build their health sciences knowledge base.

Health sciences librarians need to collaborate with library school programs to develop opportunities to showcase health sciences librarianship as a wonderful career option.