HBCU Library Alliance Summer 2023 Library Conservation/Preservation Internship Program
The HBCU Library Alliance Conservation/Preservation Internship Program, since 2018, continues to strategically impact the educational experiences of our esteemed undergraduates! To date, thirty-seven interns have completed the internship program. A number of interns are pursuing a career interest in librarianship or library-related positions. Let’s continue this work that aims to diversify the library profession and provide HBCU undergraduate interns with key library preservation skills.
The Winterthur/University of Delaware Program in Art Conservation, in partnership with the HBCU Library Alliance, has received a sixth round of funding to coordinate nine fully-funded, six-week summer internships in library and archives preservation in 2023 at seven nationally recognized library preservation/conservation laboratories. Summer internships will take place between June and mid-July 2023, with exact dates to be decided upon by the intern and their host site. Over the course of 6 weeks, interns will participate in Zoom cohort learning sessions coordinated and hosted by Winterthur/University of Delaware. Interns will spend 4 weeks on site at their host institutions, supplementing the virtual classroom experience with hands-on training.
Interns will receive a $5000.00 cost-of-living stipend to support their housing and living expenses. Travel to and from host sites will be funded by the University of Delaware. Each intern will also receive a tool/supply kit to support virtual session activities.
HBCU Library Alliance members in good standing are encouraged to participate in this program. Your assistance is needed to broadly promote the program and identify strong undergraduate applicants for this dynamic opportunity. Past applicant pools included students majoring in forensic science, American history, sociology, and fine arts. Let’s encourage strong applications to continue this internship program for years to come.
Thanks are due to former Board member Debbie Hess Norris, University of Delaware, for her vision, insight and for once again securing this funding. Thanks are due to the Samuel H. Kress Foundation, the University of Delaware College of Arts and Sciences, the Department of Art Conservation at the University of Delaware, and the Winterthur Museum, Garden and Library (DE) for funding this internship project.
About the Internship
HBCU undergraduate students interested in the humanities, arts, and sciences will have the opportunity to learn and practice library preservation skills during the six-week internship under the mentorship of professional conservators and library staff at a host site. Successful internship candidates will demonstrate a strong interest in libraries and archives and an attention to detail, as well as interest and academic success in history, the arts, and/or the sciences.
Interns will work on a range of possible projects, including:
- Introducing students to library preservation as a career choice;
- Familiarizing students with cultural heritage conservation practices;
- Providing students with practical, hands-on training in library preservation;
- Networking with local cultural heritage, library, and preservation professionals;
- Joint mentoring of students by internship site supervisors and HBCU library staff to identify where possible and appropriate onsite library preservation projects.
Participating Host Sites
The seven (7) participating host sites are:
- Brown University Library, Providence, RI
The Brown University Library is committed to creating and maintaining functional spaces that meet its communities evolving educational needs. The mission is to advance instruction, learning, and research in the University by providing critical expertise, curated collections, and responsive technology and spaces in an environment of creativity and inclusivity. The Library is a dynamic physical, virtual, and intellectual hub for Brown and a partner in furthering the University’s global mission of leadership and academic excellence. The Library holds more than 250 named collections with rich research potential. The Brown University Library goal is to preserve the past and innovate for the future.
- Duke University Libraries, Durham, NC
Duke University Libraries (DUL) is committed to diversity in its patron communities, services, collections, staff and spaces. One of its guiding principles is to build, maintain, and provide access to an international and multilingual collection, representing the broadest possible spectrum of cultures, ideas, and information. Significant collections include the University Archives, the John Hope Franklin Research Center for African and African American History and Culture, the Human Rights Archives, and the Sallie Bingham Center for Women's History & Culture. The core mission of the Conservation Services Department is to ensure that library materials can be used by patrons both now and in the future.
- Harvard University, Cambridge, MA
The Harvard Library holds the largest academic library collection in the world. The Harvard Library Preservation Program comprises state-of-the-art facilities and staff committed to ensuring that library materials remain secure and usable by employing a variety of strategies for conserving materials, digitizing physical collections, preserving library content in digital formats, and providing robust education and outreach programs.
- Library of Congress (DC) - 2 interns
The Library of Congress is the largest library in the world, with millions of books, recordings, photographs, newspapers, maps and manuscripts in its collections. The Library is the main research arm of the U.S. Congress and the home of the U.S. Copyright Office. The Library preserves and provides access to a rich, diverse and enduring source of knowledge to inform, inspire and engage intellectual and creative endeavors.
- University of Kansas Libraries
Kansas University libraries have more than 5.6 million print items in seven campus locations, which see more than 1.2 million visits every year. In 2016-17, patrons checked out nearly 130,000 items and accessed more than 3 million articles online. Through their resources and expertise, Kansas University Libraries work to advance discovery, innovation and learning for Kansas University, the state and a rapidly expanding community of world scholars.
- The Harry Ransom Center, University of Texas, Austin, TX
The Ransom Center is an internationally renowned humanities research library and museum at The University of Texas at Austin. Its extensive collections provide unique insight into the creative process of writers and artists, deepening our understanding and appreciation of literature, photography, film, art, and the performing arts. The Center’s Preservation and Conservation Division provides a full range of preventive and conservation treatment options for the long-term care of its collections.
- Yale University, New Haven CT – 2 interns
Yale University library collections contain fifteen million print and electronic volumes in more than a dozen libraries and locations. Their resources for teaching and research range from thousands of licensed e-resources to special collections in forms as varied as early printed books, rare film and music recordings, and a growing body of born-digital materials.
To Apply
Undergraduate students must return the following required materials as a single PDF to me at sphoenix@hbculibraries.org using your college/university e-mail address no later than Thursday, March 23, 2023.
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Cover letter and statement of interest to include your two top selections for a host site (not more than 2 pages);
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Resume/CV (not more than 2 pages);
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Unofficial transcript, listing courses taken;
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A letter of recommendation from your college or university’s Library Director or designee; and
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A second letter of recommendation from a mentor, professor, or employer.
Undergraduate students will be selected by a panel which includes HBCU Library Alliance Board Chair Dr. Tiwanna Nevels, St. Augustine’s University (NC), Project PI Dr. Melissa Tedone, Associate Conservator at the Winterthur Museum, Garden and Library (DE); an intern supervisor from one of the host sites; and me.
Contact me immediately at sphoenix@hbculibraries.org with your questions or if you need additional information.
I look forward to receiving student applications!
SANDRA M. PHOENIX
HBCU Library Alliance Executive Director
678-210-5801 (office)
404-702-5854 (cell)
sphoenix@hbculibraries.org