Public Library Internship

Libraries are places where people:

• Developing digital skills
• Working on basic skills
• Meeting and learning from one another
• Gaining access to knowledge and culture

More and more often, they are at the heart of a village or town. And as a trainee, you can make a direct contribution to that.

Does this sound familiar?

• You've graduated, but you're not quite sure yet which job is right for you.
• You want more than just a typical entry-level position.
• You want to discover what you're good at.
• You want to do work that makes a difference.
• You want to learn and do at the same time.

Then this traineeship might be the perfect start for you.

What is the traineeship?

The Public Libraries Traineeship is a two-year development program for recent graduates of community colleges and universities. You’ll not only work on social issues but also actively focus on your personal development.

Over the course of these two years, you’ll work at three different libraries in North and South Holland, spending eight months at each location. This will help you discover what suits you best and grow both professionally and personally.

What sets this traineeship apart is that you combine strategy with execution, make an immediate social impact, work with multiple organizations, and receive intensive guidance on both a professional and personal level.

Our offerings

• Contract from September 2026 through August 2028
• Starting salary: €3,159
• 36-hour workweek
• Vacation pay + year-end bonus
• Laptop and phone
• Travel allowance or NS Business Card
• Pension Plan
• Option to purchase additional leave

Here's what the traineeship looks like

• 3 8-month work placements
• Working on real-world problems and collaborating in teams
• In-depth study of the subject matter
• Human skills training focused on personal development
• Coaching and peer review
• Group assignment with fellow trainees

You have one training session every two weeks.

This is what your work looks like

During your internship, you’ll work four days a week as part of a team at the library. You’ll participate in day-to-day operations and also take on a specific project to work on independently. In your role, you’ll interact with colleagues, partners, and visitors, and work step by step toward a concrete result or recommendation. At the end, you’ll present your work to stakeholders.

You’ll combine strategic thinking with hands-on work and have plenty of opportunity to take the initiative and assume responsibility.

What issues are you working on?

To give you an idea of the issues you can tackle, take a look at the following challenges from the trainees:

• How do you bring citizenship to life in the library?
• How can you make the library collection more relevant to the neighborhood?
• How can you make the library appealing to young people?
• How can you demonstrate the library’s impact?
• How can you help multilingual children with reading?

Read a trainee's story

Find out why a library director recommends this internship

Who are we looking for?

This traineeship is a good fit for you if:

• You have a bachelor’s or master’s degree (obtained within the last 2 years)
• You are socially engaged
• Ready to get started on your professional and personal development
• You are curious and independent
• Be confident
• Preferably lives in North or South Holland
• You are willing to commute daily for work (the libraries are located from Den Helder to Goeree-Overflakkee)

Whether you have a background in the social sciences, education, economics, or business administration, your perspective is welcome. Diversity of perspectives makes us stronger.

Ready to find out what's right for you?

Would you like to not only start working but also discover what you’re good at? There are 8 spots available. Apply by May 24, 2026. Instead of a cover letter, we ask you to answer a few questions. This helps us get to know you better. Want to learn more first? Call or text Esmée Beekman, Talent Manager, at 06 10 81 21 52. She’d be happy to help.