The Ask A Librarian Internship Program enthusiastically welcomes the Fall 2026 cohort to Columbia University Libraries. The Ask A Librarian Internship provides Master of Library and Information Science students with paid, hands-on experience in academic librarianship. Interns receive training and support from a librarian supervisor at Columbia in order to assist users through the Ask A Librarian chat service. Additionally, interns work in collaboration with their supervisor to conduct a project. Please join us in welcoming Andrew, Brittney, and K’Lah to Columbia!
Andrew Shillingford (he/him/his) is a student in the MLIS program at Pratt Institute. He is currently obsessed with “The Peace” by Underscores and thanks that song for getting him through the toughest moments of his graduate degree program. As a Lehman College, City University of New York (CUNY) alumni, he is proud to represent the Bronx in the world of librarianship. When he’s not at work or in class, he’s determined to continue his journey of becoming fluent in Haitian creole because it has been a goal he has had his sights on for a while. He enjoys exhaustively talking about art in all forms and getting to know people in the process. He used to have trouble talking to new people and getting to know them, but now he recognizes that as one of the more exciting aspects of life and looks forward to each opportunity he gets to meet someone new. He also loves helping people and is very excited to assist you through the Ask A Librarian chat services or in person for reference services.
Brittney Johns (she/her) is an MLIS student at Queens College, CUNY. Before pursuing librarianship, she was an account manager at Taylor & Francis. She received her BA in Anthropology from the University of Virginia and her MS in Media Management from The New School. She hopes to transfer her skills from supporting librarians with collection development to helping patrons with their research and reference questions. When she is not studying or interning, she enjoys coffee, visiting art galleries and museums, or reading a good book.
K’Lah Yamada (she/her) is a second year MLIS student at the University of Denver. Her academic background consists of an undergraduate and graduate degree in comparative literature with a focus on Spanish and Brazilian Portuguese literatures. She is passionate about assisting students with their research processes and teaching them about information literacy.
Do you have questions about the Ask A Librarian Internship? Please contact AskALibrarianInternship@library.columbia.edu for more information.