Ainsley was a Folklore Student Intern for BYU Library during Winter 2026.
Briefly explain what you did and the result of your internship.
I reappraised a smaller folklore collection to create a more detailed inventory of the items in this collection, improving ease of access to the collection as well as flagging potential privacy concerns in these items. I also helped plan and carry out several outreach events, fostering a greater connection between the archive and the community it serves.
What did you learn on your internship that you were not expecting to learn?
I learned just how complex the folklore archive can be, especially when trying to navigate privacy and consent concerns within a collection with multiple contributors. I was not expecting the folklore archive to be riddled with so many complex questions and issues surrounding its organization and accessibility, so this internship gave me a chance to dive deeper into archival practices, FERPA guidelines, and more.
How have your future plans changed because of what you learned from your internship experience?
I already knew that I wanted to go into archival work, but this internship has given me a deep fascination with the specific overlap between folklore studies and archival management. I now am seriously considering a dual masters' degree in Library Sciences and Folklore Studies so that I can continue pursuing this niche.
Please share how your experience led to personal inspiration or insightful revelation.
Much of my day-to-day work centered around reading legends to summarize them in my reappraisal, so I got to spend hours at a time reading folklore from various communities, much of which was spiritual in nature. This experience gave me a greater appreciation for different cultures and how they perceive the world around them. These legends made me recognize that culture, nature, and spirituality are extremely interconnected, and we can use folklore to get a glimpse of how all three function within a community.
Would you recommend this internship to other students?
I would highly recommend this internship to others, especially if they are interested in pursuing a career in archival work. This internship gave me experience in both the front-facing and behind-the-scenes work that archivists do, giving me a holistic perspective on the career field.
Is there anything else you would like to say regarding your internship?
There is no better place to work than Special Collections. The environment is one of the most uplifting places I have ever been, and it gives you an experience that few other places can offer, even within the library.
