Internships at the American Library in Paris

The American Library in Paris offers intern placements throughout the year for students studying library/information science or looking to pursue a career in non-profit management, providing an opportunity to gain critical on-the-job training and experience. 

Although the majority of our interns come with a library science background, we also welcome interns from Erasmus programs, as well as students currently enrolled in a college or university program with a focus in a related discipline.

As a non-profit association, not funded by either the French or American governments, the American Library in Paris is unable to offer paid short-term internships. Long-term internships, those exceeding two months full time, are remunerated. Regardless of the length of your internship, the Library is unable to offset the cost of transportation to/from Paris, accommodation, or other related costs while in Paris. However, the Library does provide a meal voucher for every 8 hour work day and will assist in covering a portion of public transportation costs during the course of your internship. 

Due to the volume of applications we receive, only short-listed candidates will be contacted for an interview.

To apply, please complete the internship application below and upload your one-page letter of motivation and CV in the form. Questions may be directed to internships@americanlibraryinparis.org.

Internship Opportunities

Advancement Intern

This internship opportunity at the American Library in Paris offers a dynamic experience in supporting various administrative functions within a cultural non-profit organization. In this role, interns will engage in a range of tasks aimed at contributing to the library’s fundraising efforts, database management, communications strategies, and event coordination. The internship provides exposure to the vibrant cultural landscape of Paris and the operations of a small, collaborative team.

Internship Dates: March – May 2025

Application Deadline: Applications reviewed on a rolling basis

Under the supervision of Library staff, key responsibilities include:

  • Fundraising Assistance: Supporting the production, operations, and post-production of the library’s fundraising events.
  • Database Management: Assisting in maintaining and updating databases related to donors, supporters, and organizational contacts.
  • Communications Assistance: Aiding in marketing and communications efforts through research, copywriting, and copyediting, and on various platforms such as social media, the website, and our e-newsletter.
  • Programs Assistance: Supporting the coordination of workshops, author events, concerts, and other interdisciplinary and multimedia activities. Assisting in production, publicity, audience outreach, and communication with relevant stakeholders such as publishers, publicists, and speakers. Handling logistics related to event planning and execution.

Through these tasks, interns will develop valuable skills in flexibility, multitasking, effective communication, and enthusiasm for literature. The internship fosters a spirit of collaboration and provides an opportunity to work closely with colleagues across multiple departments. Candidates for this internship should demonstrate a genuine passion for literature and cultural engagement, along with the ability to thrive in a fast-paced, collaborative environment. The internship promises exposure to the inner workings of a cultural non-profit organization and the unique cultural offerings of Paris.

Applicants are required to complete the online application form and submit a CV and motivation letter.

For more information contact the Internship Coordinator at
internships@americanlibraryinparis.org.

Front of House Intern

The American Library in Paris is looking for a motivated, dynamic, and friendly person to be our Front of House Intern. A few of the duties include assisting patrons and staff in both the Member Services and in the Children’s and Teens’ Services Departments, processing memberships, and shelving. 

The ideal candidate is interested in pursuing a career in libraries and is looking to gain experience across various service points. This person should be organized, flexible, and great at working with members of all ages. 

Internship dates: April – July 2025

Application Deadline: Applications reviewed on a rolling basis until March 1, 2025

Under the supervision of Library staff, Front of House intern responsibilities include:

  • Staffing the Member Services and Children’s and Teens’ Services desks
  • Creating, renewing, and revising membership accounts in multiple databases
  • Familiarizing new members with the Library and the use of its online and in-person services
  • Responding to email, phone, and in-person queries
  • Processing fines, fees, and lost items
  • Gathering and maintaining statistical data
  • Shelving and shelf reading
  • Creating and supplementing attractive and timely book displays
  • Ensuring users’ comfort, health, safety, and enjoyment of the facilities

Applicants are required to fill out the online application form and submit a CV and letter of motivation.

For more information contact the Internship Coordinator at
internships@americanlibraryinparis.org.

Member Services Intern

The American Library in Paris is looking for a motivated, dynamic, and friendly person to be our Member Services Intern. A few of the duties include assisting patrons and staff at the Member Services desk and processing memberships.

The ideal candidate for this position is interested in pursuing a career in libraries or non-profits. This person should be organized, flexible, and have exceptional customer service skills. 

Internship dates: August – November 2025

Application Deadline: Applications reviewed on a rolling basis until June 1, 2025

Under the supervision of Library staff, Member Services intern responsibilities include:

  • Staffing the Member Services and Welcome desks
  • Creating, renewing, and revising membership accounts in multiple databases
  • Responding to email, phone, and in-person queries
  • Familiarizing new members with the Library and the use of its online and in-person services
  • Processing fines, fees, and lost items
  • Managing printing and copying services
  • Technical processing of magazines, newspapers, and books
  • Gathering and maintaining statistical data
  • Assisting with shelving, book displays, and stacks maintenance
  • Ensuring users’ comfort, health, safety, and enjoyment of the facilities

Applicants are required to fill out the online application form and submit a CV and letter of motivation.

For more information contact the Internship Coordinator at
internships@americanlibraryinparis.org

Collections Intern

The American Library in Paris is looking for a motivated, dynamic, and friendly person to be our Collections Intern position. A few of the various duties include participating in collections projects and assisting patrons and staff at the Member Services desk.

The ideal candidate for this position is interested in pursuing a career in libraries or archives. This person should be organized, flexible, and have some familiarity with library cataloging systems. 

Internship dates: January – April 2026

Application Deadline: Applications reviewed on a rolling basis until October 1, 2025

Under the supervision of Library staff, Collections Intern responsibilities include:

  • Assisting in the maintenance of book and periodical collections
  • Cataloging of books and periodicals 
  • Inventory
  • Maintenance of periodical archives
  • Maintenance of special book collections
  • Answering reference questions 
  • Technical processing of magazines, newspapers, and book
  • Assisting with shelving, book displays, and stacks maintenance
  • Creating, renewing, and revising membership accounts in multiple databases
  • Familiarizing new members with the Library and the use of its online and in-person services
  • Responding to email, phone, and in-person queries

Applicants are required to fill out the online application form and submit a CV and letter of motivation. 

For more information contact the Internship Coordinator at
internships@americanlibraryinparis.org

Children’s and Teens’ Services Interns: Outreach/YAFF

The American Library in Paris seeks a dynamic, creative, and enthusiastic intern who has a passion for English-language literature for children and teens, and who believes that creative writing plays an important role in literacy development. Our ideal intern would spend six months in Paris getting to know our unique library and its diverse membership, and promoting the benefits of creative writing within the English-language community.

The American Library in Paris, established in 1920, is the largest English-language library on the European continent, serving 5,000 members, about half of them American and a quarter French. The Children’s and Teens’ Services Department’s collections consist of more than 20,000 books for young people, as well as e-resources, and the department hosts over 200 events a year for the community. The American Library in Paris is proud to be the organizer of the Young Authors Fiction Festival (YAFF). YAFF is free of charge and open to all students ages 5–18 in France who write in English.

The Children’s and Teens’ Services Intern will report to the Children’s and Teens’ Services Manager, and will work closely with the department’s team members in:

  • Creating activities and workshops for ages 0-18 to promote YAFF
  • Assisting with outreach efforts to promote YAFF
  • Creating and supplementing attractive and timely book displays
  • Shelving and shelf reading
  • Assisting members in accessing online resources
  • Providing customer service in the Children’s and Teens’ Services Department
  • Assisting with the Library’s social media outreach efforts for children and teens

The Intern will work for a six-month period (November 2024 through May 2025) for
approximately 21 hours per week on the following days:
Wednesdays from 10h00-18h00
Fridays from 12h00-19h00 or from 14h30-21h30 (depending on weekly programs)
Saturdays from 10h00-18h00

Candidates must be currently enrolled in a bachelor-level or masters-level program in order to be eligible for this internship position. The ideal candidate will be pursuing a Masters in Library Science, have a passion for English-language literature for children and teens, and experience working with young people. Knowledge of French is a plus!

Applicants are required to fill the online application form and submit a CV and motivation letter.

Applications are being accepted through 1 September 2024 for this role!
Finalists will be interviewed by video call or telephone.

For more information contact the Internship Coordinator at
internships@americanlibraryinparis.org.

 

Children’s and Teens’ Services Interns: Programs and Collections

The American Library in Paris seeks a dynamic, creative, and enthusiastic intern who has a passion for programming and for English-language literature for children and teens, and would like to spend six months in Paris getting to know our unique library and its diverse membership.

The American Library in Paris, established in 1920, is the largest English-language library on the European continent, serving 5,000 members, about half of them American and a quarter French. The Children’s and Teens’ Services Department’s collections consist of more than 20,000 books for young people, as well as e-resources, and the department hosts over 200 events a year for the community.

The Children’s and Teens’ Services Intern will report to the Children’s and Teens’ Services, and will work closely with the department’s team members in:

  • Providing support for programming for children and teens, with a specific focus
    on literacy development
  • General collection maintenance tasks
  • Creating and supplementing attractive and timely book displays
  • Shelving and shelf reading
  • Assisting members in accessing online resources
  • Assisting with Collection Development research
  • Providing Readers Advisory services in the Children’s and Teens’ Services
    Department
  • Assisting with the Library’s social media outreach efforts for children and teens
  • Preparations, promotion and outreach for the Halloween Extravaganza

The Intern will work for a six-month period (Friday 17 May through Wednesday 13 November) for approximately 21 hours per week on the following days:
Wednesdays from 10h00-18h00
Fridays from 12h00-19h00 or from 14h30-21h30 (depending on weekly programs)
Saturdays from 10h00-18h00

Candidates must be currently enrolled in a bachelor-level or masters-level program in order to be eligible for this internship position. The ideal candidate is pursuing a Masters in Library Science, and will have a passion for English-language literature for children and teens, and experience working with young people. Knowledge of French is a plus!

Applicants are required to fill the online application form and submit a CV and motivation letter.

Applications are being accepted through 1 March 2024 for this role!
Finalists will be interviewed by video call or telephone.

For more information contact the Internship Coordinator at
internships@americanlibraryinparis.org.