Preparing Tomorrow's Librarians Through Hands on Experience

For Ashley Lindsay, returning to the UTA Central Library felt like coming home. 

More than a decade ago, Lindsay spent countless hours in the library as a graduate student studying political science at UTA. This summer, she returned with a different purpose, not as a student searching for research materials, but as a Library Intern preparing for a career in academic librarianship.  

Working alongside Chloé Bennett, Creative Spaces and Services Librarian, Lindsay is completing her summer practicum in UTA Libraries' Creative Spaces and Services Department as part of her Master of Library Science program at Texas Woman's University. 

While the internship is a graduation requirement, it also reflects UTA Libraries' commitment to preparing the next generation of library professionals by providing meaningful, hands-on learning experiences that connect classroom instruction with the real-world. In turn, that work strengthens library services that benefit students, faculty, researchers and the broader community. 

"I spent many hours in this library," Lindsay said. "It was the only academic library I had experience with. When it came time to complete my practicum hours for my master's degree, I chose to come back here. So, I reached out to the library to ask if I could intern here." 

That decision quickly turned into an opportunity to contribute in meaningful ways. 

Lindsay was paired with Bennett, who welcomed the chance to mentor an aspiring academic librarian while giving her opportunities to make an immediate impact. 

"When I found out I was getting an intern for the summer, I was excited," Bennett said. "Ashley has been an absolute champion of the phrase, 'Sure, no problem.' She's jumped into everything we've asked of her and has already become a huge asset to the department." 

That willingness to learn has allowed Lindsay to work on projects that will have a lasting impact on student learning. 

One of those projects involved developing instructional materials for a doctoral-level course in Politics in Education. Lindsay drafted a lesson plan that Bennett is now using to teach students how to create a podcast miniseries as part of their coursework, helping them develop research, storytelling, and digital media skills while producing a published project. 

"The lesson is really the meat and potatoes of their course," Bennett said. "They're going to finish by publishing a podcast mini-series, which is really exciting." 

Beyond classroom instruction, Lindsay has also contributed to internal initiatives that will help shape the Libraries’ services. Drawing on more than a decade of experience in K through 12 education, she has assisted in implementing instructional standards across the Libraries by helping to develop surveys, and support projects that strengthen teaching and learning. 

Her background as an educator has made her a valuable addition to the department. 

Before pursuing librarianship, Lindsay spent more than 12 years teaching middle school students. Today, she serves as the librarian at J.P. Elder Middle School in Fort Worth while working toward completing her graduate degree. 

After years in public education, she decided it was time for a new challenge. 

"It feels like a giant shift," Lindsay said. "I've been thinking about making this career change for the last three years. Coming here was really about understanding what the academic library environment is like and seeing if it’s a fit." 

For Bennett, who also spent a decade as an elementary educator before joining UTA Libraries, Lindsay's experience highlights the value educators bring to higher education. 

"It's exciting to see people with educational backgrounds coming into academia," Bennett said. "They bring expertise in teaching and making information accessible that really benefits students. Ashley has already been an asset to us, and I think she'll be a tremendous asset wherever she goes." 

That perspective aligns with UTA Libraries' mission to create engaging learning experiences that extend beyond traditional library services. Whether through digital scholarship, multimedia instruction, makerspaces, or classroom partnerships, the Libraries continue to create opportunities that help students build practical skills and make information more accessible. 

For Lindsay, the internship has also been an opportunity to gain confidence. 

Like many professionals considering a mid-career career change, she admitted she initially questioned whether she belonged in an academic library. 

"I wondered if I was smart enough or qualified enough to be in this environment," she said. "Being here has helped answer those questions." 

Bennett remembers having many of the same feelings when she transitioned from public education into academic librarianship. 

"It feels huge and intimidating at first," Bennett said. "Then you realize academics are people too. You realize that you may have expertise they don't have, and they need it. That gives you a lot of confidence." 

Before the internship concludes, Lindsay and Bennett plan to co-publish several of the lesson plans they have developed together. The publication will mark Lindsay's first scholarly work and will share instructional resources that can benefit librarians and educators beyond UTA. 

"It's one of the things I've learned since being here," Lindsay said. "Everybody's talking about publishing something. Hopefully, that gives me a leg up when I'm looking for jobs." 

Bennett believes it will. 

"That's the plan," she said with a smile. 

Lindsay expects to graduate in May 2027 and hopes to transition into academic librarianship soon afterward. Looking back on the experience, she hopes others considering a career change will allow themselves to take that first step. 

"Don't be afraid to try something new and different," she said. 

As UTA Libraries continue to invest in experiential learning opportunities like internships and practicums, future librarians like Lindsay gain the experience, mentorship, and confidence needed to serve students, researchers, and communities for years to come. At the same time, their ideas and expertise help strengthen the innovative services that make UTA Libraries a place where learning extends far beyond the classroom.