Barnard Library and Academic Information Services
Fall 2012 Graduate Student Fieldwork/Internship/Practicum
Barnard Library and Academic Information Services (BLAIS) seeks interns interested in gaining valuable public service experience in an academic library and archive. BLAIS Interns will receive training and participate in diverse aspects of library and/or archival work, identify information and service needs,  and match solutions that reach targeted academic departments, faculty, and students.  We encourage fall interns to develop independent and self-directed projects with the guidance and support of their mentors, who work as librarians and archivists at BLAIS.

The internship program welcomes students who have completed 9 graduate credits in Library and Information Science, and Instructional Technology and Media. Technical skills are a plus, and excellent communication and public service skills are essential.  Interns work approximately 10 hours/week or whatever is required by the library school. The position is unpaid, and for-credit internships are preferred.

Interested applicants should send a cover letter, resume, and references to blaisinterns@barnard.edu. Applicants are welcome to identify areas of interest from the list below.

Research and Instruction
(To apply, send a cover letter, résumé, and two references to blaisinterns@barnard.edu)

Research and Instruction interns will have the opportunity to:

• develop, assess, and promote print and media collections
• support and lead instructional sessions
• pair with Research and Instruction librarians in the areas of: Performing Arts, Humanities and Area Studies, Art and Architecture, Women’s Studies, STEM, and Social Sciences
• receive support in planning and implementing independent projects
• attend department meetings and events throughout the Columbia University Libraries System

Archives
(To apply, send a cover letter, résumé, and a brief writing sample to Marcia Bassett, Archivist,
mbassett@barnard.edu)

Archives interns will have the opportunity to:

• support the College Archivist and Image Archivist in surveying and processing archival collections
• make materials available to researchers by assisting in the creation of electronic and paper finding aids
• create and manage Excel spreadsheets and Word documents
• catalog archival holdings using Voyager Cataloging software
• attend department meetings and events throughout the Columbia University Libraries System.

Knowledge of Archivists Toolkit and archival descriptive standards including EAD and DACS is a plus. Experience in copy editing, strong computer skills, precise work ability, exceptional writing skills and attention to detail are preferred. Preference will be given to applicants who are currently enrolled in or have recently completed a graduate-level program in archival management. This internship is unpaid; however, course credit can be arranged.

Zine Collection:
(To apply, send a cover letter and résumé to Jenna Freedman, Zine Librarian, zines@barnard.edu.

Zine interns will have the opportunity to:

• add provenance information to catalog records
• respond to correspondence from prison inmates
• devise and implement a plan for preserving electronic correspondence and social media content
• develop and execute independent projects related to outreach, scholarship, web design, exhibits, etc.
• support and lead instructional sessions (on any topic, not just zines)
• attend department meetings and events throughout the Columbia University Libraries System.

—
Vani Natarajan
Research and Instructional Services Librarian
Humanities and Area Studies
Barnard College
3009 Broadway
New York, NY 10027