Library Apprenticeship Feature: Amari Brown
“I didn’t realize how much business and libraries connected. There are ways you can do librarianship from a business background, and I just never knew that.” - Amari Brown
Meet Amari Brown, a college student studying Business Management at the University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh. The library apprenticeship was introduced to Amari through her school DEI advisor, and once she learned that she could apply her business skills and interests to the apprenticeship, she eagerly accepted the opportunity. Amari completed her apprenticeship at the Appleton Public Library in Wisconsin and was mentored by Yee Lee Vue, Adult Services and Community Engagement Librarian. Amari worked closely with Yee to design services that enhanced the library’s Small Business - Big Impact Initiative, which supports business startup, retention, and expansion efforts for people of color and immigrants.
In this podcast episode Amari and Yee share the following:
1:20 - Introductions
5:10 - Overall apprenticeship experiences
9:20 - Supporting services for Small Business - Big Impact Initiative
17:50 - Favorite apprenticeship moments
19:45 - Apprenticeship takeaways
22:55 - Perceptions of public libraries
25:15 - Suggested apprenticeship improvements
28:00 - Closing remarks
Amari loved that she was given the creative autonomy to make this experience her own. Although sad that the apprenticeship is over, Amari now realizes she wants a future job that is community driven. If you have any follow up questions or comments, reach out to Amari Brown at brownam08@uwosh.edu and Yee Lee Vue at yvue@apl.org.
Thank you for supporting our mission. Libraries are stronger when we have a workforce that is representative of our diversifying communities. Follow along as we capture the various ways in which libraries bloom, impacting the environment around them.