Senior inspires young readers and gains experience as library intern
Senior Nellie Morf spent her summer with lots of books and plenty of children as the first Lisbon Public Library intern.
From working the circulation desk to sorting books and leading story time with area children, she’s been busy learning how local libraries operate.
“I like the whole organizational aspect of the library,” said Morf, who is from Mount Vernon. “Plus, I’ve always liked to read, and I like working with kids and inspiring them to learn to read.”
This opportunity, which will serve as one of Morf’s Ingenuity in Action experiences, started with one of her Cornell professors. Megan Goldberg, assistant professor of American politics and member of the Lisbon Public Library Board, knew about Morf’s passion for libraries and put in a good word with Lisbon’s new library director.
“I was a politics major for a little while and Megan Goldberg was my previous advisor,” Morf said. “She talked with the librarian, Elizabeth Hoover de Galvez, and told her about me. I’m grateful that Megan helped me secure this internship.”
Hoover de Galvez, who started as the library director in February 2024, says this is the first time the library has had an intern, and she’s thankful for Morf’s input.
“I was very excited because this is my first year doing children’s programming,” Hoover de Galvez said. “I came from the Des Moines Public Library as an adult services librarian. When Nellie said she was interested in children’s librarianship I was thrilled to have someone who was excited to do kids programming. It’s been really good to bounce ideas off Nellie.”
Morf says it took her a while to find her current career path, but she says she is right where she needs to be. She started as a politics major. While she enjoyed it, she said she felt like something was missing, so she decided to create an individualized major–art history, literature, and material culture.
“I made that switch and it felt pretty natural,” Morf said. “I feel pretty at home where I’m at right now.”
Morf also enjoys working in the archives at Cornell’s Cole Library and digging into the history of places she enjoys spending her time. She also recently put up a Little Free Library at the First Street building in Mount Vernon, where she continues to curate and seek donations of diverse children’s books.
“I just think she brings a lot of knowledge from her experiences and education to this internship,” Hoover de Galvez said.
Morf will spend her senior year finishing her classes at Cornell and plans to enroll in a master’s program to study librarianship after she graduates.
Hoover de Galvez said she’s looking forward to seeing more Cornell students intern and volunteer at the library, which is just a seven-minute drive from campus. Students can email her at elizabeth@lisbon.lib.ia.us
