The Burke Library, one of 21 libraries in the Columbia University system, has exciting internship opportunities available!
Gain valuable hands-on experience processing, describing and rehousing archival collections!
The Union Seminary Archives (UTS) collections of personal papers from Union’s famous faculty and students since 1836. The collections cover a wide range from correspondence describing a tour through China in the early 1900s to a local event in the 1970s which made front page news in the New York Times.
The Archives of Women in Theological Scholarship (AWTS) is a unique and growing group of collections from the extraordinary women who were the ‘firsts’ in modern times to establish roles in the church, in theologically connected educational or scholarly societies. Many of these active collection donors continue to provide further archival sources.
Tasks :
● Creating contents lists for archival collections. Researching and writing Finding Aids (guides to
archival collections).
● Boxing and refoldering historic papers.
● Undertaking basic preservation.
● Writing blog entries in the Burke Library blog.
● Involvement with implementation of EAD.
Internships are unpaid and may be taken for credit through your school, depending upon your school’s policy. Interns are asked to commit for at least 10 hours per week within Monday – Friday, during business hours.
Qualifications and Skills :
● Must be currently enrolled in a master’s program.
● Excellent oral and written skills. Readable, neat handwriting.
● No prior specialist archival knowledge needed. Support and training available.
● Ability to lift heavy boxes (40lb) safely and handle weights of 15 pounds regularly.
● Experience with Microsoft Office Suite.
● Capacity to manage spiral staircase and work with dusty materials.
● Knowledge of other languages including German, French, Chinese and Japanese a plus.
How to Apply :
Please submit the following:
1. Cover letter explaining your career objectives and what you hope to gain from the internship.
2. Résumé detailing your education and work experiences.
**Applicants will be evaluated for both opportunities, there is no need to
specify in the application.**
Send these materials and/or other questions to:
burkearchives@library.columbia.edu
Please place in the subject line of your email “Archives Internship.”
Listings of The Burke Library's Archival Collections linked to a growing number of Finding Aids can be
found at http://library.columbia.edu/locations/burke/archives.html .
