Practice Made (More) Perfect

Educating the next generation of librarians requires a combined effort involving practicing librarians, library educators and the programs that they represent, and the profession represented through its many allied organizations. This chapter will examine the practicum program at the library and information science (LIS) program of the University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG). First accredited by the American Library Association in 1982, the program focuses primarily on libraries, archives, and similar information organizations as the place where people and information connect through services provided by professional librarians. About one-third of the students specialize in service to higher education institutions at the community college, four-year liberal arts, and university levels. The program recently instituted a requirement for studentsto complete hours in a workplace setting as part of a capstone course, but this chapter is based on reports from students who completed a 120-hour practicum elective (also sometimes called an internship, field experience, or other names, depending on the institution).1 Through the use of a survey and gathered testimonials, the students reported on their experiences with learning while doing in the field