Worlds of Words Educational Guide Intern

Deadline

Job description

Worlds of Words Center of Global Literacies and Literatures builds global understandings through children's literature. We seek a highly-motivated individual with an interest in children’s and young adult literature for an Educational Guide internship in our collection located on the fourth floor of the College of Education. This internship allows individuals to participate in all areas of WOW’s programming with an emphasis on our dedication to sharing this exemplary collection of globally representative and culturally authentic books with the public. Worlds of Words is currently the largest collection of its kind in the United States and occupies a local, national, and international presence. Though the position emphasizes facilitating youth engagement, there will be opportunities for other skill building experiences.

Duties include:

  • Understand and present the mission and vision of WOW to the public;
  • Contacting local schools and other organizations to promote the youth programs;
  • Liaising with UArizona units for classroom tours;
  • Run standard presentations on global children’s literature and art;
  • Administer the Reading Ambassador programs;
  • Ensure the safety and well-being of children present in the Center;
  • Preparation and clean up for all youth events, including inventory of materials;
  • Participation in the Tucson Festival of Books with youth programs & in the WOW Center exhibitor booth;
  • Exhibit maturity, diplomacy and common sense in working with educators, parents, children, staff and others.

Duties may include:

  • Creating new presentations for the public;
  • Preparing social media updates;
  • Creating rotating book displays in the center;
  • Collaborating with and assisting other members of the WOW outreach team;
  • Writing articles for wowlit.org and other platforms;
  • Providing patron service in person, on the phone and online;
  • Assisting co-workers with events and duties.

Reports to:

  • The Educational Guide Intern reports to the WOW Associate Director.

Qualifications:

  • Must obtain fingerprint clearance to work with children prior to starting the internship (WOW can cover costs).
  • Ability to type 40+ wpm.
  • Strong Internet research skills.
  • Strong interest in current events around the globe.
  • Ability to meet deadlines.
  • Ability to work effectively on a team.
  • Familiarity with Office Suite.

Hours:

Worlds of Words operates between the hours of 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Mondays through Fridays and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturdays. WOW observes Federal holidays and UArizona closures. Interns will be scheduled for 8.5 to 9 hours each week (according to their class schedule) including one Saturday per month. Interns must be available the entire weekend of the Tucson Festival of Books.

Compensation:

Interns must be enrolled in 3 internship credit hours through the college of their choice and will receive a $500 stipend for the semester.

Benefits:

Experience working with young people. Exposure to authors and illustrators, the book industry and current literary climate. Previews of unpublished and newly published books for children and teens. Networking opportunities and job skills development. Possible publication by-lines. Relevant skills in online platforms. A fun and engaging work environment located on campus.

Application Process:

Send a cover letter with resume. E-mail preferred: Send e-mail with Word or PDF attachments to Rebecca Ballenger at rklb@arizona.edu. Please put “Educational Guide” as the subject header. We will contact you only if you have been selected for an interview. Please do not call. Thank you for your understanding.

About Worlds of Words:

Worlds of Words is committed to creating an international network of people who share the vision of bringing books and children together, thereby opening windows on the world. We encourage thoughtful dialogue around global literature so that children can reflect on their own cultural experiences and connect to the experiences of children across the globe.

Worlds of Words holds an estimated 36,000 volumes of children’s and adolescent literature focusing on world cultures and Indigenous peoples. Housed at the University of Arizona, College of Education in a recently renovated center, Worlds of Words has a large collection space along with a special collections room, studio, offices, visiting scholar office, and a classroom. The space is open to the public and used for a variety of events and functions.

These resources are used to:

  • promote intercultural understanding and global perspectives.
  • identify excellent culturally authentic literature about children’s lives around the world.
  • provide resources for adults who share a passion for connecting readers with books.
  • share the stories of children’s dialogue and interactions around global literature.
  • encourage the integration of global literature into the curriculum.