Advanced Cataloging Internship, State Library of Massachusetts, Boston, MA
Posted September 6, 2015
Special Collections Department
Fall 2015
The State Library of Massachusetts is offering an unpaid cataloging internship in its Special Collections Department. The internship will start after September 8, 2015, and will continue at least through the end of the fall semester, with the possibility of extension through the end of the academic year.
As part of a continuing effort to improve access to materials in special formats, including archival and manuscript collections, the intern will work with the Special Collections Librarian to create MARC records for both single items (broadsides, scrapbooks, images, photographs, manuscripts) and small manuscript collections. In addition, using guidelines created during an earlier phase of this project, the intern will process; create finding aids; and create or revise MARC records for small manuscript collections (4 to 20-item collections); and then deposit the finding aids in the State Library’s digital repository, DSpace.
Intern’s duties will include:
- Review documentation from Phase I of project to determine priorities for processing.
- Review status of unprocessed/uncataloged manuscript and special format materials.
- Process small manuscript collections, create finding aids, update MARC records, or if necessary, create new MARC records, deposit finding aids in DSpace.
- Create MARC records for all single manuscripts that do not currently have access through the State Library OPAC.
Intern may also assist with reference relating to manuscript collections, blog postings about the project, and development of a plan to further publicize the project as it nears completion.
This internship provides the student with valuable work experience in a unique library setting. The library is conveniently located in downtown Boston in the Massachusetts State House. We request a minimum commitment of eight hours per week, preferably in two four-hour shifts. Number of hours and schedule are negotiable but must be filled during the department’s public hours of Monday through Friday, 9am-5pm.
The State Library’s Special Collections Department includes items that need special care due to their age, fragility, or format. Holdings comprise rare books, manuscripts, broadsides, newspapers, tax valuations, architectural drawings, prints and photographs, scrapbooks, and souvenirs. The collection is particularly strong in nineteenth and twentieth-century city directories, maps, and atlases.
For more information, contact the Special Collections Department: [email protected], or 617-727-2595.
To apply for this internship, please send a cover letter and resume to [email protected].