The Folklife Internship provides experiences in archival practice, cultural heritage research, and programming, while building participants’ knowledge about ethnographic materials. AFC staff supervise work on projects aligned with the successful applicant’s qualifications and interests. US citizens over 18 years old are invited to apply for consideration, including those currently enrolled in undergraduate or graduate school, recently graduates, and community scholars or other individuals with experience working in the heritage sector. NOTE: AFC intends to host interns fully onsite at the Library of Congress for the Summer of 2023, but recognizes that this may not be possible and will be prepared to host the interns virtually if required to do so by the Library.
- Application Notes: Summer 2023 Internship – Potential Starting Dates: June 19 or July 3, 2023. The internship extends for ten weeks from starting date, and starting dates may change once application is open. On Monday, February 13, 2023 the online application will open in USAjobs.gov. On Monday, after 9am Eastern, please visit USAjobs.gov and use the search the term “folklife” to locate the online application.
- Compensation: GS 03; locality pay rate will apply if internships are remote, and total compensation available is up to $7500 over the ten week period.
- Academic Credit: The Library does not provide academic credit, but you may arrange with your school in advance to receive credit.
- Available Benefits: Transit; Sick leave accrual.
- Program Duration: Short-term. Full-Time; 10 weeks in summer
- Qualifications: Qualifications: Demonstrated relevant subject knowledge and skills with standard digital office tools; availability in summer for full 10 weeks from start date.
Responsibilities:
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.
#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.
For more on this Opening: Please visit AFC Folklife – Internships Program 2023
- General Website: https://www.loc.gov/folklife
- Program Contact: [email protected]
