Research Resources: Library intern – Research Resources Library

Job Description

Research Resources – Library Internship | Whitney Museum of American Art

The Tone:
This is a paid internship at the Whitney Museum of American Art, located in New York, NY. The Whitney, established in 1930, is a renowned institution dedicated to collecting, preserving, interpreting, and exhibiting American art from the twentieth and twenty-first centuries. This role is crucial in supporting the museum’s mission by contributing to the operation and organization of its research library collections, providing vital resources for staff and visiting scholars. This internship offers first-hand experience in multiple areas related to library operations within a museum setting.

The TL;DR
• Role: Internship
• Type: Temporary
• Location: In-person, New York, NY

• Team: Research Resources: Library
• Mission: To support the operation of the museum’s research library by assisting with collection management, reference, and user services.
• Tech Stack: OPAC, WhitneyCat, Koha ILS, MARC, RDA, LCSH, LC classification

What You’ll Actually Do
• Cataloging: Create original and copy cataloging in MARC for library materials.
• Preservation: Create preservation housings for Library Special Collections materials.
• Reference Services: Assist with providing in-person and remote reference services to staff and external researchers.
• Circulation & Supervision: Assist with the circulation of library materials and supervise the reading room for on-site researchers.

The Must-Haves
• Background: Current graduate student or recent graduate who has completed at least one semester in an MLIS or related program.
• Experience: Experience with conducting research using an Integrated Library System (ILS); experience with library cataloging (MARC, RDA, LCSH, LC classification) and/or preservation is a plus.
• Skills: Ability to work independently with attention to detail, proficiency in conducting research using an ILS, and familiarity with library cataloging and metadata creation standards.
• Bonus: Interest in modern and contemporary American art and museum work, ability to lift cartons up to 30lbs.