This program offers participants insights into the environment and activities of the American Folklife Center, which pairs robust cultural programming with the world's largest ethnographic archive. Interns will be exposed to a broad spectrum of public programs and archives work: artist liaison, production, preservation, reference, access standards, and information management. Depending on the specific project they are assigned, interns will assist staff with coordinating and producing public programs; archival processing of special collections in many different formats; managing digital outreach activities and communications; or supporting reference and research activities. Near the end of their appointment at the Library, the interns will reflect on their projects and experiences by producing a blog post, as well as a presentation for AFC staff.
See posting at https://www.usajobs.gov/job/703697200.
Information about other Library of Congress Internships is at https://www.loc.gov/internships-and-fellowships/.
The following five projects are on offer for 2023 internships. Each intern will be assigned to work on one project as their primary responsibility. For further information on any project, please contact the American Folklife Center: folklife@loc.gov or 202-707-5510.
#01 – Podcast development & production support: Provide production assistance for the Center’s two podcast series, Folklife Today and America Works, through collection research, drafting scripts, identifying audio assets, and editing. Additionally, there may be opportunity to participate in a podcast episode and/or contribute to the development of other podcast series. Episodes from both of the Center’s podcasts are available here: https://loc.gov/podcasts/.
#02 – Reference and Researcher Support: Assist reference staff in providing reference services and developing a range of researcher access tools, including subject guides from AFC archival collections using the LibGuide platform. Conduct research using primary and secondary resources for a variety of Library users. Training and support for use of LibGuides will be provided. Find current AFC LibGuides here: https://guides.loc.gov/american-folklife.
#03 – Web archives collection engagement: Work with AFC staff to design a strategy for identifying sites to archive across two web archives managed by the division and engaging potential researchers with the Web Cultures Web Archive digital collection. Responsibilities will include researching the collection, identifying key constituent groups of researchers, identifying collection gaps, developing engagement opportunities, and contributing to communications campaigns using various channels and platforms used by AFC. See the collection here: https://www.loc.gov/collections/web-cultures-web-archive/about-this-collection/
#04 – Story Map development & production: Assist AFC staff on designing and implementing a set of curated digital publications via the LC Story Maps portal (an intuitive web-based platform). Responsibilities will include researching online collections, identifying and gathering digital assets, developing curatorial narratives, and creating Story Maps. Training on the platform will be provided. See examples of LC-produced Story Maps here: https://www.loc.gov/rr/geogmap/storymaps.html.
#05 – Foodways Research: Support AFC staff in conducting collections research within and beyond the AFC Archive for a large scale multi-year project on food, cooking, and culinary culture as represented in the Library’s holdings. Responsibilities will entail cross-library coordination and exploration of collection materials related to food heritage in the United States; tracking assets and collection materials; helping develop thematic approaches to curation; and drafting interpretive text.
Apply by March 17, 2023
Salary: $16.36 - $21.26 per hour
Starting Dates: May 22, June 5, or July 3, 2023, and internship extends for ten weeks from chosen starting date.
