(Thanks to Beth for sending this.)
The Whitney Museum Library is seeking three students to participate in the Museum’s summer internship program. Under the supervision of the Library staff, interns will gain first-hand experience about how a museum library functions, assist in regular departmental activities that range from research and special projects to routine administrative and clerical tasks and be responsible for one project to be completed before the end of the internship.
Projects:
1. Preservation—The intern will learn basic techniques of wrapping and enclosing Special Collections books from the Library’s collection. A candidate with excellent hands-on skills or a studio art background is highly desirable. The intern will work under the supervision of the Benjamin and Irma Weiss Librarian.
2. Archives–The intern will process a selection of recently accessioned archival records from Museum departments and create a folder list for the finding aid. The intern will work under the supervision of the Assistant Archivist, following institutional archiving procedures. An intern with archival experience or interest is preferred.
3. Cataloguing–The intern will work under the supervision of the Assistant Librarian/Cataloguer, and learn basic institutional cataloguing procedures while cataloguing a selection of Whitney Museum publications. A template will be created for this project, but some previous cataloguing courses or experience is desired.
All interns will learn about the operations of a small special library and will become familiar with Library procedures and participate in Library activities, such as acquisitions, reference, circulation, paging, shelving, filing, etc.
In addition, the Human Resources Department organizes a weekly activity that is designed to broaden Museum interns’ perspectives beyond those provided by the assigned departments. Activities include informal weekly seminars with other department heads and curators plus several field trips around New York City.
The 2009 Summer Intern Program begins June 1st and ends July 31st. Participants must be available for nine consecutive weeks of work, five days per week. There is no stipend, but interns receive two unlimited monthly metro cards. During the program, interns are eligible for regular employee discounts at the Museum restaurant, the retail store, invitations to exhibition openings and free admission to most other New York City museums.
QUALIFICATIONS AND APPLICATION PROCEDURE:
Internships are open to current college juniors, seniors and graduate students who have worked in a library, are already working towards an MLS and have a strong interest in American art and/or museum work. Candidates should have a strong academic background, internship/job experience and excellent administrative skills.
There is no separate application, and incomplete applications will not be considered. All materials should be compiled by you, mailed together in one package and include the following:
Resume
Cover Letter
A one-page statement of purpose stating your reasons for applying to the Whitney Museum and what you hope to contribute and gain from the experience.
Proposed beginning and ending dates of internship (if different than program dates)
Letter of recommendation from a college professor or employer
Official college transcript
Availability for an in-person interview (required) in late March or April — please give dates.
ALL APPLICATION MATERIALS MUST BE RECEIVED BY MARCH 15th.
After reviewing applications, the Human Resources Department will contact selected applicants for in-person interviews.
SUBMIT APPLICATION MATERIALS BY MAIL TO:
Human Resources Department
Whitney Museum of American Art
945 Madison Avenue
New York, NY 10021
Hr@whitney.org (for questions only)