Internship, The NY Academy of Medicine Library (Manhattan)

Internship posting: The New York Academy of Medicine Library

About the New York Academy of Medicine:
Proudly celebrating its 175th anniversary, the New York Academy of Medicine tackles the barriers that prevent every individual from living a healthy life and works to advance health equity for all through data-driven research and insightful programming. We are a leading voice for innovation in public health. Throughout our 175-year history, we have uniquely championed bold changes to the systems that perpetuate health inequities and keep all communities from achieving good health. Today, this work includes innovative research, programs, and policy initiatives that distinctively value community input for maximum impact. Combined with our trusted public programming, historic library, and with the support of our esteemed Fellows and Members, NYAM’s legacy as a public health leader continues.

About the Library: 
The NYAM Library is home to one of the most significant historical libraries in medicine and public health in the world. The Library and its Center for the History of Medicine and Public Health support and encourage a deeper understanding of the many and varied forces that have shaped medicine and public health from ancient times to the present day. The Library fosters engagement with its historical materials for scholars and the public and organizes public events that use history to better understand current-day issues. The Library’s collections contain a rich variety of formats, including rare books and journals, contemporary monographs and serials, bound manuscripts, archives and archival collections, historical and contemporary pamphlets, blueprints, graphical materials, audiovisual materials, and digital content. The Library fills a unique role in the scholarly and cultural landscape of New York City by making its collections accessible for research and by presenting an engaging roster of public programs integrating medicine with history, the humanities, and the arts.

About the Internship:
We are seeking a current library school student interested in the history of medicine, public health, archives, and historical collections for a paid fall 2022 cataloging internship. Applicants should have a demonstrated interest in pursuing a library career, particularly in a special collections library. 
The cataloging intern will perform both copy cataloging and original cataloging of pamphlets in the Library’s rare pamphlet collection. These pamphlets are mostly from the 18th century to the early 20th century, and many of them are in foreign languages. Many of the pamphlets have cards in the Library’s printed card catalog that the cataloging intern will need to consult. The intern will participate in the Library’s social media outreach program by writing one or more blog posts about noteworthy pamphlets. The intern will also learn about the different functions of a special collections library by observing the Library’s work in user services, digitization, conservation, and outreach. The successful applicant will be flexible, detail-oriented, self-directed, and interested in rare book and special collections cataloging. 

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
⦁    Copy-catalog pamphlets using OCLC’s Connexion client and the Library’s Integrated Library System (ILS), currently Koha through ByWater Solutions.
⦁    Perform original cataloging of pamphlets that do not have pre-existing records in OCLC. 
⦁    Assign appropriate subject headings (both LC and MeSH) to the pamphlet materials.
⦁    Use thesauri including RBMS controlled vocabularies and AAT.
⦁    Assess the condition of the pamphlets and refer problematic items to the conservation lab. Rehouse pamphlets as necessary. 
⦁    Maintain statistics about the number of pamphlets cataloged.
⦁    Assist with the management of the Library’s catalog, including correcting errors in the catalog and updating location and holdings information.
⦁    Contribute to the Library’s social media presence by writing blog posts about pamphlets.

Qualifications:
Enrollment in a library school program and completion of a course in cataloging. Working knowledge of AACR2 and RDA, MARC21 format, LC Subject Headings (LCSH); familiarity with Medical Subject Headings (MeSH), and thesauri including RBMS controlled vocabularies and AAT a plus. The applicant should be ready to learn to use cataloging resources they are unfamiliar with, and open to gaining skills that will further their professional goals. Preference given to applicants with experience using cataloging software (OCLC Connexion Client and Koha preferred); familiarity with how to handle rare materials; proficiency in one or more modern European languages or Latin; as well as previous library intern or work experience.

Schedule and Compensation:
This paid internship ($20/hour) is available for a student currently enrolled in a library school program. It will run for 15 weeks in fall 2022. We are hoping to find someone who can start in mid-September and finish in mid-December. The schedule has some flexibility, but the intern will generally be expected to work 14 hours per week, falling between 9 am and 5 pm, Monday through Friday. Most of the work is anticipated to be in-person, and proof of COVID-19 vaccination is required. The total number of work hours expected is 210 hours over the course of the internship. Interested candidates are asked to send a cover letter and resume to Miranda Schwartz: mschwartz@nyam.org.