On June 12, 2026, we had the opportunity to share our program as a WiLSWorld Shorts presentation. This one-hour panel explored what makes our internship program work, from both the student and host organization perspectives. Participants heard directly from graduate student interns and site supervisors who participated in the Recollection Wisconsin Digitization Initiative (RWDI). Funded by the state of Wisconsin and supported by WiLS and Recollection Wisconsin, the RWDI is a collaborative program that pairs Wisconsin graduate students with libraries, museums, and archives to digitize and share local history collections.
Panelists Sarah French (Whitewater Public Library), Magnolia Sandell (UW-Madison iSchool, student intern), Frank Violet Foss (Milwaukee Art Museum), and Julia Lalor (UW-Madison iSchool alumni, past student intern) shared real-world experiences, practical insights, and lessons learned, offering strategies for creating meaningful, hands-on internships that benefit both learners and organizations.
We are grateful for our panelists’ time and expert advice! You can view the panel presentation on the WiLS YouTube channel.
Building Successful Internships with Recollection Wisconsin Digitization Initiative
Visit the Recollection Wisconsin Digitization Initiative or contact vicki [at] wils.org for more information about this internship program.
