Iron Ridge, Hustisford Libraries Selected for State Teen Internship Grant

The Iron Ridge Public Library and the Hustisford Public Library are among eight Wisconsin public libraries selected to receive the 2026 Summer Teen Intern grant, a program funded through the Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) and administered through the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction.
The grant provides up to $2,500 to each recipient library to offer a paid, mentored internship to a high school-aged student over the summer. Each of the libraries awarded the grant is eligible to hire one intern.
Iron Ridge Library Director Michelle O’Brien said the opportunity to give a local teen a meaningful look at library operations was a driving force behind the decision to apply.
“It offered a unique opportunity to showcase how a library operates behind the scenes and specifically the important role it plays in our community,” she said. “We were excited about the chance to invest in a local teen by providing meaningful work experience and mentorship.”
The application process took less than a month, and this marks the first time the Iron Ridge Public Library has received the grant.

The internship is set to begin on June 2. Interns will develop practical skills, including communication, organization, and teamwork, while also completing a Connected Learning Project — a core component of the program that interns design and implement themselves. According to the DPI, Connected Learning Projects are grounded in personal relevance, meaningful relationships, civic engagement, and a sense of purpose, and are largely shaped by the intern’s own perspectives, interests, and experiences.
Library staff said they hope the experience will leave a lasting impact beyond the professional.
“We hope our teen intern will gain a well-rounded understanding of how a library runs and serves its community, giving them valuable professional experience in a supportive environment,” O’Brien said. “Personally, we want this experience to help our teen intern to feel more connected to their community and recognize the important role they can play within it.”
Interested teens are encouraged to watch the library’s social media accounts in April for the official announcement and application. Interviews are scheduled for May. Those with questions may also contact O’Brien directly or visit the library’s website for more information.