Collections Intern – Spring 2022
The Rosenbach is pleased to offer a 100-hour paid (over the course of 10-13 weeks) undergraduate internship in the Collections Department to a qualified candidate in Spring 2022. This internship is being sponsored by the Philadelphia Area Consortium of Special Collections Libraries (PACSCL) through its Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee.
The Collections Intern will work on projects related to the Spring 2023 season of programs and exhibitions and general collections stewardship. The internship includes a thorough introduction to the institution (including staff) and hands-on training for handling books and special collections; provided with a Guide to Library and Museum Terminology; and training to use the equipment and tools required. The intern is encouraged to attend department and staff meetings to learn about how our organization operates.
Projects include:
· Researching context and provenance (ownership history) of 35 historical documents signed by American presidents for an upcoming exhibition.
· Visiting offsite storage with collections team to photograph and transcribe framed documents.
· Researching connections to books and other manuscript material in the Rosenbach collection and developing exhibition themes.
· Developing a collections guide for documents and publications in the Rosenbach collection related to the American Revolution and the foundation of the United States of America.
· Rehousing and integrating relative photographs into the Gratz collection
· Participating in general weekly collections stewardship tasks with members of the collections department including shelf read (inventory) of printed books; inventory of 3-dimensional objects; box shifts and reorganization of manuscript material
Preferences
Applicants should be interested in American history, literature, poetry, art, museum studies, or library science. This internship requires attention to detail, the ability to work with complex numbering systems, and the moving objects and/or boxes weighing up to 20 pounds.
Eligibility
Applicants should be an undergraduate student who identifies as a member of a group (or groups) underrepresented in the library and archives field. These include—but are not limited to—people of Hispanic or Latinx, Black or African-American, Asian, Middle Eastern, Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander, First Nations, American Indian, or Alaskan Native descent as well as people with disabilities, first generation college students, and/or those who identify as LGBTQIA+. Applications from people who may be eligible in other ways are also warmly welcomed. Previous library and archives experience is not required but interest in the field is preferred. Students pursuing a wide variety of majors are encouraged to apply.
Sponsor
This internship is being sponsored by the Philadelphia Area Consortium of Special Collections Libraries (PACSCL) through its Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee at the rate of $17.25 an hour.
Mentorship
A component of this internship includes the opportunity to be paired with a mentor. The mentor, a staff person from a PACSCL member institution, will be available for regular meetings and will act as a source of support and guidance during the internship.
How to Apply
Please submit your cover letter and resume to [email protected] with PACSCL Internship in the subject line by 5 PM on October 22. Interviews will be conducted via Zoom and in-person internship will begin in January 2022.
Development and Public Programs Intern
Department: Development – Rosenbach
Reports to: Director of Development and Manager of Public Programs
About The Rosenbach
The Rosenbach, with a reputation for outstanding collections of literature, history and art, has experienced programmatic and demographic growth in the last four years, thanks in large part to a formal affiliation with the Free Library of Philadelphia. To continue its growth trajectory, The Rosenbach has just completed a strategic plan that seeks to reposition the institution as an intellectual center of Philadelphia that offers growing audiences unique and compelling experiences.
Position Summary
The Development and Public Programs Intern will work closely with both the Director of Development and Manager of Public Programs as The Rosenbach heads into its busy fall/winter events season. The intern will assist with the set-up, marketing, creative vision, and staffing of all Rosenbach development events, from Delancey Society Salons to member events to the largest event of the year, the Rosenbacchanal fundraiser. They will play an integral role in the Rosenbach’s public programs, both on-site and virtual and assist with the set-up, staffing, and marketing of the organization’s 20+ fall/winter programs.
The intern will also have the opportunity to develop their fundraising writing skills with The Rosenbach’s year-end campaign, soliciting donations and sponsorships for Young Friends events, and more, depending on individual interest.
Flexible schedule, but must be able to work 15-20 hours a week, with evening availability as-needed. Length of internship is flexible, but must be available through at least February 2022. This position reports to both the Director of Development and the Manager of Public Programs.
Please note that this is an unpaid position.
Key Responsibilities
- Assisting with all physical event physical set-up and breakdown of tables and chairs and clean-up, such as public programs, all Delancey Society events, which include 6-10 Salons (pre-program receptions) and restaurant dinners after programs annually; 3-4 special cultivation/friend-raiser events on- and off-site annually; the Delancey Society Holiday Party in December; and occasional special collections tours
- Assisting with menu planning and creative event vision
- Staffing both development events and public programs in the evenings as-needed
- Social media content creation related to development events
- Assist Development and Public Programs Associate with administrative tasks related to committee meetings
- Event vendor communication
Qualifications
Excellent writing and organizational skills with an attention to detail and follow-through
Ability to multi-task
Must work well under pressure
Must possess excellent communication and interpersonal skills
Excellent knowledge of Microsoft Word and Excel
InDesign or Photoshop experience a plus, but not required
To apply
Please email Bethany Chisholm, Director of Development, at [email protected] with your resume and a cover letter by November 8, 2021.