PART TIME INTERNSHIP LISTING
The Racquet and Tennis Club Library is seeking a library intern for the summer or fall of 2023.
Project Description:
The Racquet & Tennis Club Library has acquired books for just over a century, and in this time has amassed a collection of over 21,000 volumes. During this time, the library has relied solely on paper catalog cards for data management, resulting in a monumental collection of catalog cards whose contents have not been digitized in any form.
In September 2018, the Library launched a customized database designed by Sydney Enterprise to meet the individual needs of our unique cataloging system. Since no previous digital copies of the collection’s data exists, the physical card catalog’s data must be migrated, primarily manually, into the new database. The selected intern will assist with this data entry, both manually through the use of the card catalog, and digitally, by extracting relevant information through Sydney’s Z39.50 Program. All necessary training for basic familiarity with the Sydney Enterprise system will be provided.
Responsibilities: The intern’s primary responsibilities will include:
-Assisting with the manual input of the Library’s card catalog data into Sydney Enterprise
-Utilizing Z39.50 Client (Sydney Enterprise program) to extract available catalog entries from external libraries and edit accordingly
They will also be for several aspects of daily library maintenance, including:
-re-shelving books in the Main Library
-assisting with selection of books for Monthly Library Displays
-inventorying collections
Payment and Duration: This internship is a paid, part-time position. The selected intern will be paid $24.50/hr. The internship is projected to last approximately 150 hours, minimum, with the possibility of extension upon completion. A minimum commitment of 10 hours per week is expected.
Qualifications: Must be currently enrolled in, or recently graduated from, an ALA-accredited program. Knowledge of proper handling of archival materials and rare books is expected.
Preferred Skills:
-Should have familiarity with basic cataloging.
-Working knowledge of online databases.
-Great attention to detail.
-Ability to work independently.
Description of the Racquet & Tennis Club: The Racquet & Tennis Club is a private athletic club founded in 1875. Its current Park Avenue location is its third clubhouse, which celebrated its centennial on April 16, 2018, and is currently listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Club’s library collects solely on sporting books, and is considered by many to be the finest sporting library in the world.
If interested, please send a resume and cover letter to Assistant Librarian/Membership Secretary Sarah Jacobs at sbj.librarian@rtcny.org with subject line “Library Internship”. If you have any questions regarding this posting, please contact Ms. Jacobs as 212-753-9700 ext. 226, or by e-mail at above address.
