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Summer Internships, U.S. Department of Transportation, Washington, DC

Posted November 18, 2014

The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) Research Library and National Transportation Library (NTL), both located in the Washington, D.C. area, are seeking students pursuing MLS degrees (or equivalents) for paid, full-time internships for the period June 8 – August 15, 2015. These internships are being offered as part of the United States Department of Transportation’s Summer Transportation Internship Program for Diverse Groups (STIPDG). The internships include a $5,000 stipend, along with travel (relocation) arrangements and shared housing for participants whose permanent residences are more than 50 miles away from their assignment locations. The deadline for submitting an application is January 16, 2015. For more information on the program, including requirements and application instructions, please see: http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/education/stipdg.cfm. If you have further questions about applying, please send an email to [email protected].

When applying, please select your interest areas as the Federal Highway Administration (with specialty Library Science) and the Research and Innovative Technology Administration (with specialty Library Science).

The following are potential internship projects. Responsibilities may be modified depending on the number of accepted applicants and the interest areas of the candidates.  For more information about individual projects, please contact Deena Adelman at [email protected] or 202-493-3058.

CATALOGING INTERN (Federal Highway Administration Research Library, McLean, VA; Note: vehicle is required for commute)

Responsibilities:

  • Create catalog records for a print technical sub-collection; perform simple and complex copy cataloging; assist in the creation of original cataloging records; assign subject headings and call numbers
  • Create and modify authority records in the library’s integrated library system (ILS)
  • Review donated publications to determine whether materials should be added to the collection based on established criteria

Desired Qualifications: Coursework and/or experience in cataloging; familiarity and/or experience with MARC, RDA, AACR2, and LC Subject Headings, Authorities, and Classification System; excellent communication, organizational, and analytical skills; willingness to adapt to changing situations and take on new tasks; ability to meet established deadlines with products that reflect professionalism.

HISTORIAN’S ARCHIVAL COLLECTION INTERN (National Transportation Library, Washington, DC)

Responsibilities:

  • Prepare collection of DOT Historian’s papers for conversion to publicly accessible online archive. Promote awareness of the collection by creating photographic, video, and social media content; write articles and announcements for distribution. Continue ongoing project to apply Library of Congress subject headings; arrange and label the physical archive.
  • Review DOT Historian’s webpage for content updates and/or reorganization.  Recommend improved layouts and organization for the site; investigate and recommend new content/features for the site.
  • Process DOT technical reports in preparation for digital conversion.  Check for quality incoming scans to NTL Digital Repository.

Desired Qualifications: Coursework towards a specialization in archives and /or museum studies; familiarity and/or experience with archival practices; familiarity and/or experience with Microsoft Access; knowledge of LCSH and MARC;  familiarity and/or experience with photographic and video archival practices and social media; strong organizational, analytical, and written/verbal communication skills; willingness to adapt to changing situations, take on new tasks, and meet established deadlines with products that reflect professionalism; experience conducting historical research.

For more information about the libraries, please see the following web sites:

FHWA Research Library: http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/research/library

NTL U.S. DOT site: http://ntl.bts.gov

NTL Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/nationaltransportationlibrary (includes information on past interns’ experiences)

Opportunities for Current Students