Collections Intern

Job Description

The MWM Collections team seeks an intern to support projects that increase the visibility and accessibility of the Memorial’s unique collection of more than 8,000 donations of documents, photos, textiles, objects, and audio-visual materials related to women’s service in and with the US Armed Forces, a library comprised of more than 2,000 items, and an Oral History Collection of more than 1,400 oral histories.  

Responsibilities

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• • Support library/library catalog maintenance—tasks may include physical book maintenance (adding protective covers, removing old labels), adding classification labels, and enhancing descriptive content of catalog records by adding one or more of the following: subject tags, names, and catalog terms using MWM vocabulary terms, Library of Congress Subject Headings and authorized name forms
  • Provide project support to Collections team in preparation of oral history metadata to map to Dublin Core and with organization of physical media in preparation for digitization by outside provider.
  • Digitize/scan existing oral history transcripts and related photos and documents in the oral history donor paper files for upload to oral history collection repository with their associated media files.
  • Transcribe oral history recordings, identify subject terms and key themes to enhance descriptive records and facilitate usability.
  • Digitize/scan collection materials, creating digital surrogates for upload to Collections Management System (CMS).
  • Add items to Omeka, along with corresponding metadata for future exhibit planning; potential to work on a small-scale exhibit design project.
  • Process collections in CMS according to Collections procedures/workflows with attention to detail on preferred formatting standards-knowledge of Dublin Core and/or DACS a plus.
  • Digitize/scan donor records to add to corresponding donor file in collections management system.
  • Use Collections Department and MWM program databases, files, and contacts. Run reports as needed.
  • Assist with correspondence regarding Collection donations and research inquiries
  • Assist the Collections team in setting up administrative procedures for projects by establishing filing systems, logs, mailing lists, etc.

Competencies

• • Knowledge, work experience, or advanced study/graduate courses in Library Science/Archival Studies or Museum Studies and interest in women’s history/military history.
  • Current computer skills including knowledge of Microsoft Office.
  • Strong organization skills and an ability to manage projects and prioritize work.
  • Attention to detail, process-oriented, and able to focus on repetitive tasks for an extended period.
  • Mission focused and collaborative, yet able to work independently with initial guidance—interested in problem solving and motivated by improved outcomes and results.

Work Environment

• This job operates in a professional office environment. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets and fax machines. Some work may be performed at the Memorial or offsite storage locations.

Physical Demands

• The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to stand; walk; sit; drive a vehicle; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, or controls; reach with hands and arms; climb stairs; balance; stoop, kneel, or crouch; talk or hear. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

Work Schedule

• This internship consists of approximately 24 hours per week for up to 12 weeks. General hours of work and days are Monday through Friday, 9:00 am to 5:00 pm or as coordinated with Collections team.

Travel

• This position requires local travel and may require occasional travel outside the local area or overnight.

Education & Experience

• Required
• • Bachelor’s degree in Library Science/Archival Studies, Museum Studies, Digital Curation or related technical field or demonstrated equivalent knowledge/work experience in these fields. To meet requirement based on bachelor’s degree, candidate must have degree or be starting/in final semester of bachelor’s at beginning of internship with degree to be conferred no later than August 2023.
  • One (1) or more years of work in an office setting
  • Proficient in Microsoft Office and similar software with a high comfort level with computers and office equipment

  Preferred

  • Pursuing an advanced degree in Library Science, Archival Studies, Digital Curation, Museum Studies or a related technical field
  • Experience in a non-profit organization
  • Experience with collections and museum programs
  • Expertise in database management and knowledge management
  • Experience working in or with the U.S. Military

Other Duties

• Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time, with or without notice.