History Room/Archives Internship, Avon Public Library, Avon, MA
Posted April 14, 2017
The Avon Library preserves the history of Avon, Connecticut, through its collections in the Marion Hunter History Room. This collection, comprised of photos, primary documents, and books, is a complement to the Avon Historical Society’s collection of objects and artifacts.
The Avon Library’s history collection completed a “Report of Preservation Needs” in February 2016; this assessment was funded through a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities. In September 2016, a Connecticut Traveling Archivist visited to provide further guidance and instruction for care and handling of the collection. The reference and technology librarians at the Avon Library have been actively (and properly!) repackaging and storing the items within the Marion Hunter History Room, and scanning items (digitizing) to the Connecticut Digital Archive (CTDA).
This internship is designed to provide practical, in-the-archives experience for those pursuing archive and history studies. Applicants must have completed at least four graduate level library science/MA history program courses before the start date of their internship. The successful applicant will be paid a stipend of $2,500 for approximately 125 hours of work over approximately 2-3 months. The intern will select an area of the archive room to organize, digitize, and create a final project/publish on. A schedule of the project, once selected, will be created, with measureable outcomes for the student and the library.
This internship is funded through the generous support of the Friends of the Avon Library.
Eligibility and requirements:
- Enrollment in a Master of Library Science Program or enrollment in History MA program
- Applicants must have completed at least four graduate level courses
- Applicants must be eligible to work in the U.S.
- The stipend for this internship will be paid in two lump sums.
- Schedule will be designed once the candidate is selected, and will include flexibility
- Strong computer skills, including internet research, webpage familiarity, etc are required
- Candidate must have reliable transportation
- Resume and cover letter, indicating what you would like to learn/skills you would like to strengthen while interning in the Marion Hunter History room at the Avon Free Public Library
- Town of Avon Employment Application (http://www.avonct.gov/sites/avonct/files/file/file/application_for_employment_rev_12-2-16.pdf)
- List of completed classes (unofficial transcripts accepted)
Candidates will receive an acknowledgement of their application and will be notified of their interview status by mid-May. Students will be shown highlights of the collection during their interview. The Avon Library is open to creative ideas and direction for the student’s completed project; we will coordinate with university requirements for those with required internship hours.