The Michigan Technological University Archives and Copper Country Historical Collections, a department within the J. Robert Van Pelt and John and Ruanne Opie Library, seeks applicants for the Friends of the Michigan Tech Library Graduate Archives Internship for summer 2024.
Approximately 70% of the intern’s time will be spent gaining hands-on experience processing archival collections, including participating in accessioning, appraisal, and preservation. The graduate intern will assist with the following tasks:
- Surveying and physically processing collections, including arrangement and creating catalog records and finding aids.
- Managing collection records using ArchivesSpace, OCLC, and Ex Libris Alma.
- Conducting research on subjects, groups, individuals, and events relating to collections.
- Performing basic preservation, such as re-housing collection materials in acid-free folders and containers.
- Aiding the archives staff in the appraisal and accessioning of new archives donations. The selected candidate will be able to devote the remainder of the internship (about 30% of the time) to departmental projects or needs of interest, such as gaining reference experience, advancing a digitization and digital preservation strategy, participating in outreach initiatives, or other areas of mutually beneficial personal passion (with prior supervisor approval).
Required Qualifications
- Preference will be given to applicants currently enrolled in or recent graduates of (within twelve months) an ALA-accredited graduate archival studies program. Consideration may be given for equivalent education and experience.
- Genuine interest in a career as a practicing archivist and willingness to learn.
- Knowledge of contemporary archival practices, policies, and procedures.
- Strong communication skills, both written and verbal.
- Detail oriented with strong research skills, especially historical research methods.
- Goal oriented and self-motivated with exceptional time management.
- Ability to work independently with little or no supervision as well as collegially in a team.
- Knowledge of DACS and experience applying archival descriptive standards.
- Some experience processing physical collections of archival materials and/or preparing processing plans for them. Basic knowledge of preservation for paper-based collections.
- Competency in Google suite (Docs, Sheets, Drive, etc).
- Ability to lift boxes weighing up to 40 lbs and push carts weighing up to 100 lbs.
Desired Qualifications
- Applications are welcome from those who meet any or all of the following desired qualifications!
- Experience with ArchivesSpace through education or employment/volunteer work.
- Knowledge of MARC, LC authorities, and other cataloging standards and processes.
- Some knowledge of Michigan history.
- Competency in integrated library systems, such as Alma.
- Experience with cleaning and conservation care for paper-based collections.
- Interest in contributing to key departmental goals and projects: digitization and digital preservation, increased accessibility of audiovisual materials, education and outreach(including social media), development of improved cataloging standards, collaboration with community organizations, expansion of materials pertaining to indigenous communities, incorporation of archival materials into GIS databases, preservation of rural history, etc.
Application Requirements
Interested applicants should submit a CV, cover letter, names and current contact information of at
least two professional references, and a writing sample (finding aids or processing plans preferred)
to University Archivist Lindsay Hiltunen at lehalkol@mtu.edu.
Terms of Position
This is a 35 hour per week, part-time summer position intended to span 13 to 15 weeks. The
preferred start date is May 6, 2024 or May 20, 2024 with an end date between August 9, 2024 and
August 23, 2024 (depending on the start date). Preference will be given to candidates who can
work the full 13 to 15 week term.
Housing and benefits are not included with this position, and the successful candidate will be
expected to cover travel expenses to Houghton, Michigan. The intern will be compensated for
actual work performed in the form of a stipend up to $7500, to be paid out bi-weekly throughout the
duration of employment. Offers of employment are contingent upon and not considered finalized
until the required background check has been performed and the results received and assessed.
Applications must be received by February 16, 2024 for full consideration.