Digital Archives Intern, American Ancestors, (Boston, MA)
Posted April 2, 2025
Job Summary:
American Ancestors seeks a detail-oriented and self-motivated individual to join R. Stanton Avery Special Collections in the position of Digital Archives Intern.
Reporting to the Digital Archivist, the Digital Archives Intern will support the ongoing Bible Records project to digitize, describe, and provide access to unique family registers and Bible record collections. These collections contain family vital data and an assortment of material including newspaper clippings (especially obituaries), ephemera, bookmarks, and photographs.
About American Ancestors:
American Ancestors has been collecting information about families in America for over 180 years. Our
25,000 members access information through our library and website. The American Ancestors library, located at 97 Newbury Street in Boston’s Back Bay neighborhood, is one of the nation’s leading research centers for genealogists of every skill level.
Responsibilities:
- Digitize text and image-based collections using best professional practices.
- Prepare digital images and associated metadata for ingest into CONTENTdm-based repository.
- Create, enhance, and migrate existing metadata from the library catalog, finding aids, and other
systems into the digital repository. - Perform quality control of existing images and metadata.
- Create word for word transcriptions of vital data within the collections.
Required Qualifications:
- Enrollment in or recent graduation from an MLS program.
- Specialization or coursework in archives management, cultural heritage, or digital curation.
- Familiarity with metadata standards relevant to digital collection management and access.
- Familiarity with scanning or digital photography.
- Familiarity with Photoshop or other image editing software.
- Proficiency with common Office applications (especially Excel).
- Aptitude for complex, analytical work with attention to detail.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Completion of 1 or more of the following classes: LIS 415 (Information Organization), LIS 438
(Introduction to Archival Methods and Services), LIS 462 (Digital Libraries), LIS 448 (Digital
Stewardship), or equivalent coursework. - Previous experience with Photoshop or other image editing software.
- Previous experience with CONTENTdm or other digital repository systems.
- Experience with or interest in genealogy.
Hours & Compensation:
This is an internship available through August, 31 2025. The intern will work part-time, 2 days/week (14 hours) at $15 per hour, paid on the 15th of the month.
Start date is negotiable, with a preference for late April or early May.
How To Apply:
To apply, please send a cover letter and resume to June Henry at [email protected]
Preference will be given to applications received by April 15, 2025.