Check out this great interview with Charlotte Skolasky, one of our summer interns.
-What made you choose to intern with The Maryland Book Bank?
I wanted to be an intern at the Maryland Book Bank because I have a love for books. I’ve loved reading ever since I was young, and this past spring I interned at the Free Library of Philadelphia, using their rare books to design informative display cases. Going into this summer, I knew that I wanted to do something that involved books. This opportunity at the Maryland Book Bank combined books and non-profit work, an area that I was interested in learning more about.
-What has been your most impactful experience while interning at the Maryland Book Bank?
My most impactful experience was probably one of my first Bookmobile visits that I went on, when we went to Yorkwood Elementary. Poe, the Ravens mascot, went on that visit with us, and it was so cool to see the kids get so excited. They all wanted to show their books to Poe! One of the great things about the Bookmobile is that it gives kids the power to choose the books they want, and I loved helping them pick out books that they were looking forward to reading. Almost as soon as the kids finished on the Bookmobile, they would sit down outside and begin to read. Seeing how happy the kids were and being a part of bringing the Book Bank’s mission to life was incredibly meaningful. From that point I knew I would really enjoy this summer.
-Describe a day or two in the life of an MBB intern.
A lot of times I would go out on the Bookmobile for visits to deliver books, and my responsibilities would include setting up the Bookmobile, communicating with sites, and helping run the visits. On days when I was at the Book Bank, I would have a wide variety of responsibilities, including working with volunteer groups, sorting books, shelving, designing book displays, and sending emails. Everyday I got to do something different!
-What would be one piece of advice you would give an incoming MBB intern?
I think the best piece of advice is to look at everything as a learning opportunity. Everything you do and everyone you meet is an opportunity for learning. At the Book Bank, you’ll gain a lot of experience in many aspects of running a non-profit, including direct service and answering emails and creating promotional flyers. No matter what your pre-existing experience in these areas is, it’s great to get out of your comfort zone and put your best foot forward in order to learn.
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