Spring 2013 Graduate Student Fieldwork/Internship/Practicum – BLAIS

Barnard Library and Academic Information Services (BLAIS) seeks applicants interested in gaining valuable public service experience in an academic library and archive. BLAIS Graduate Student 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 participants 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
·  participate in assessment and participatory design projects
·  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 two references to Shannon O’Neill, Archivist, soneill@barnard.edu)

Archives Graduate Student Assistants will have the opportunity to: 
 
·  support the College Archivist in surveying, arranging, and describing archival collections
·  make materials available to researchers by assisting in the creation of finding aids
·  perform historical research and assist with reference to both on-site and remote researchers
·  attend department meetings and events throughout the Columbia University Libraries System

 Knowledge of archival descriptive standards including EAD and DACS is a plus. Applicants must demonstrate that they have excellent organizational, research, and communication skills. They should have a strong attention to detail and the ability to work independently. Applicants must be available to work on weekdays. 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.

Empirical Reasoning Lab (ERL)
(To apply, send a cover letter and résumé to Heather Van Volkinburg, Data Librarian & Manager of the Empirical Reasoning Lab, hvanvolk@barnard.edu)

ERL interns will have the opportunity to:

·  Create finding aids and research guides for commonly used data sources (e.g. BLS, Census, ICPSR)
·  Develop online tutorials focusing on the process of finding datasets, downloading various file types, and tabulating information from different sources
·  Learn more about data cataloguing methods with the potential of piloting a project for BLAIS
·  Support and potentially lead instructional sessions
·  Attend department meetings and events throughout the Columbia University Libraries System

Experience with Excel and familiarity with data-driven research required. The ideal applicant will be detail oriented, have a strong work ethic, excellent organizational and communication skills, and be comfortable with quantitative data. Research experience in the social sciences desirable. Knowledge of STATA, SPSS, SAS, or Arc-GIS a plus.

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
·  support and lead instructional sessions (on any topic, not just zines)

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