Summer 2023 Digital Archives Internship, Cape Ann Museum, (Gloucester, MA)

Posted May 11, 2023

About the Opportunity
The Cape Ann Museum (CAM) is a leading regional museum at the epicenter of artistic and marine history in the Northeast. The Museum’s nationally significant collections include fine and decorative arts and artifacts relating to Cape Ann’s earliest days as a major fishing and shipping port, its mid- 19th century role in the granite industry, and the numerous artists who were attracted to its singular charms of light and sea, including such well known painters and sculptors as Fitz Henry Lane, Winslow Homer, Cecilia Beaux, John Sloan, Milton Avery, Anna Hyatt Huntington and Walker Hancock. This summer will also feature the Museum’s once-in-a-generation exhibition of artist Edward Hopper, Edward Hopper & Cape Ann: Illuminating an American Landscape.

The Museum’s Library & Archives are integral to CAM’s operations and provide a major public resource for the study of these topics and artists as well as the history of Cape Ann, past and present. Access to these collections and related scholarship is of paramount importance.

The Cape Ann Museum is pleased to offer an internship opportunity for current graduate level Library & Information Science or Museum Studies students. The project that will be undertaken for this internship centers around the digitization of the Library & Archives (L&A) archival collection. During the summer of 2023, the CAM L&A will be launching its first digital collections and online catalog site through a system called Quartex developed by AM Digital. This internship project will primarily consist of organizing existing digital files, scanning and digitizing portions of the collection, metadata control, and working within this new system to continually add new quality content for our patrons. The digitization of this collection will include manuscripts, sketchbooks, maps, photographs, ledgers, logbooks, etc. The intern may also be invited to help with additional projects in other areas of the Library & Archives collections as time allows.

Internship Summary
Under the guidance of the Head Librarian & Archivist and in partnership with the Digital Library Assistant, the CAM Digital Archives Intern will learn about and work on a wide range of digital projects related to the Museum’s Library & Archives. Intern will gain valuable experience in creation of digital objects and metadata as well as experience working with proprietary software for digital collections management. Intern will learn proper care and handling for these historic collections as well as digital preservation for the scanned material. This internship will directly contribute to the L&A’s new digital platform, Quartex, expected to launch to the public during the summer of 2023. During the internship, the candidate will gain familiarity with digital archival collection management systems and metadata standards. The internship aims to provide the candidate with a well-rounded digital library and archival experience and offers them an opportunity to learn a variety of aspects about the profession.

Duties

Digitizing materials to institutional requirements for creation of master files.
Appropriate storage of master files.
File conversion of materials flagged for use in digital collections management platform.
Metadata creation for digital collections materials.
In-platform cataloging of digital collections materials.
Data entry and maintenance.

Additional activities & information
The intern will have the opportunity to attend organizational events such as staff meetings, tours, talks and lectures, as well as the ability to interact with other museum professionals to learn about the intersection between a special collections library and a museum and gain a broader understanding of the workplace.

At the conclusion of the internship, the intern will be asked to share what they have achieved with other Museum staff and the CAM community in either a written or through an online exhibit featuring digitized content. Candidates should be self-motivated, organized, and detail-oriented with strong computer and communication skills.

Exact dates can be mutually agreed upon, but the internship will generally run from early-June to late-August (12 weeks) and require a commitment of 12-14 hours per week or until 160 hours are completed. Stipend: $18.75/hour. The Cape Ann Museum is located within walking distance of the Gloucester stop on the MBTA’s Newburyport/Rockport commuter line.

Qualifications

Current graduate level Library & Information Science or Museum Studies student
Ability to commit 12-14 hours per week (on a scheduled day between Monday-Saturday) working on site at the Museum from early-June to late-August (12 weeks) or until 160 hours are completed.
Proficiency with Mac/PC, MS Office Suite and cloud-based services such as Dropbox
Strong attention to detail and organizational skills
Self-motivated with proven ability to work both independently and collaboratively
Excellent written and verbal communication skills
Comfortable climbing ladders and working in small spaces
Ability to lift 30 lbs.

How To Apply

To apply, please submit a cover letter and resume by June 1, 2023, to [email protected]. Please specify “Summer 2023 Digital Archives Internship Application” in the subject line of your email. You may also submit your materials via postal mail to: Cape Ann Museum, Attn: Summer 2023 Digital Archives Internship Application, 27 Pleasant Street, Gloucester, MA 01930.

Please indicate in your cover letter how this internship will be of value to your professional aspirations. If a candidate wishes to apply this internship towards course credit in their respective academic program, please be advised that the intern will be responsible for managing all associated paperwork.

The Cape Ann Museum is committed to diversity within its workforce and encourages qualified candidates from all backgrounds to apply.

The Cape Ann Museum Collections Graduate Internship is made possible thanks to the generous support of Donna and Richard Tadler.
Status: Part Time Internship
Posted: May, 2023
Submission deadline: June 1, 2023