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Erica C. Vaughns NLS Aspiring Leaders Internship Program

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Knowledge is Power written on a mosaic wall

The Erica C. Vaughns NLS Aspiring Leaders Internship Program was established in 2020 through an endowment to provide legally blind individuals opportunities to work at NLS in areas of study or interest. It is named in memory of Erica Vaughns, who created and managed the program and was a dedicated NLS employee for nearly 20 years until her death in 2023.

The program runs for 12 to 15 weeks during the summer. Currently enrolled undergraduate and graduate students and those who have graduated within the past five years from an accredited two-year or four-year college or university are eligible to apply.

Intern Responsibilities

Under the guidance of mentors, interns work on selected tasks and projects within one of the five main divisions of NLS: the Office of the Director, Business Operations Division, Collections Division, Patron and Network Engagement Division, and Program Delivery Division. Visit NLS Authority, Functions and Responsibilities, and Operational Structure to learn more about the functions and responsibilities of each of these divisions.

Typical assignments will assist with the mission and goals of the Library and NLS.  These may include but are not limited to:

  • Data input and migration of information for the Braille Certification Learning Management System
  • Development and scanning of braille music material
  • Writing and editing content for NLS-produced material
  • Translating written content into various international languages
  • Braille proofreading and transcription
  • Project management assistance

In addition, interns will be required to participate in orientation sessions about NLS, its network of regional and subregional libraries, and brown-bag discussions.

Areas of Study or Interest

NLS administers a national program that requires staff with a diversity of skills and educational backgrounds. Therefore, NLS seeks interns with a background in fields of study including but not limited to:

  • Accounting and Finance
  • Audio and Sound Engineering
  • Business Administration
  • Communications and Media Studies
  • Computer Science
  • Contracts and Procurement
  • Engineering
  • Facility Management
  • International Languages
  • General Studies
  • Human Resources
  • Information Technology and Accessibility Design
  • Library Information Science
  • Music
  • Policy Analysis and Development
  • Project Management

Qualifications and Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Currently enrolled undergraduate and graduate students and those who have graduated within the past five years from an accredited two-year or four-year college or university are eligible to apply. In addition, applicants:

  • Must be a US Citizen
  • Must be legally blind
  • Must be able to work remotely

The knowledge, skills, and abilities an intern needs for this program include:

  • Knowledge of word processing and spreadsheet programs, such as Microsoft Office Word and Excel
  • Knowledge of braille
  • Ability to assist in planning, reviewing, researching, and collecting information

Work Schedule and Compensation

During the session, interns work part-time, 20 hours a week.  Schedules are flexible and the days and hours worked are determined between the intern and supervisor. Interns for this program serve as a GS-4 Program Support Assistant. The position offers no health benefits or insurance.

Application and Program Period

The NLS Aspiring Leaders Internship Program operates during the summer, between June and September.  Applications must be received by the deadline of November 1.

Complete Application Package

A complete application package will include:

How to Apply

A complete application package should be sent to NLSInternships@loc.gov.

Please send your questions concerning the Internship Program to NLSInternships@loc.gov.

In Their Own Voices: Black Authors Narrating Their Own Work

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Authors reading their own works is nothing new. For centuries poetry was passed down through an oral tradition. In the nineteenth century numerous writers—including Charles Dickens and Mark Twain—went on enormously popular lecture tours reading their work. Those written words have survived but not the author’s voice. Today it is easy to hear an author’s voice with so many appearing on social media and television, but there is something very personal about listening to authors read their own words. Being able to sense which parts authors emphasize and which parts they seem to particularly relish can give an added dimension to the work.

This minibibliography features Black authors narrating their own work. The books cover a wide range of subject matter and include memoirs by Maya Angelou, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and Lenny Kravitz. Among the children’s books are titles by performers like Lupita Nyong’o and Kevin Hart along with Ruby Bridges’ account of being the first African American child to integrate a Louisiana public school. Among the literary works are poetry by Langston Hughes and Amanda Gorman and fiction by Toni Morrison and Terry McMillan. Political works cover the range from Stacey Abrams to Candace Owens.

All titles in this minibibliography can be requested from your local cooperating library. The digital talking book titles can be downloaded through the NLS BARD (Braille and Audio Reading Download) website. Contact your local cooperating library to register for BARD. Registered users can also download titles on iOS and Android devices using the BARD Mobile app. To find your local cooperating library, go to www.loc.gov/nls/braille-audio-reading-materials/find-a-local-library or call toll-free 888-NLS-READ (888-657-7323)

Click here for titles in this min-bibliography >>>>>