The Smithsonian art libraries has an internship opportunity for the fall. More information at the Smithsonian Libraries can be found at: http://library.si.edu/about/internships-and-fellowships
Applications for all projects will be collected through the Smithsonian Online Academic Appointment System (https://solaa.si.edu/). Be sure to select “Smithsonian Institution Libraries” as the unit and “Smithsonian Institution Libraries Internship Program” as the program. Applications are due August 22nd. Selections will be made by September 1st, with flexible start dates around mid to late September. Please see the main internship page for additional information.
Art Libraries Corporate Vertical Files Access
Dates preferred: September – December 2014
Location of internship: AAPG Library, but also field visits to HMSG, AfA, NMAI, and NPM libraries.
This project is ideal for the following candidate: MLS student or graduate with some metadata training; art background a plus but not necessary.
Brief description of project:
The Smithsonian Libraries’ art and artists’ files are an exceptionally valuable resource for art historical research on both art and artists and often are the only obtainable sources of information for these subjects. In 2004, several efforts were combined to produce a single electronic list of holdings contained in the various art, history, and culture libraries at the Smithsonian. The resulting database provided access to over 70,000 files dedicated to artists that contain exhibition announcements, newspaper and magazine clippings, press releases, brochures, reviews, invitations, illustrations, résumés, artists’ statements, and exhibition catalogs. However the file collections also contain files dedicated to institutions, museums, corporations, and collections that are not accessible electronically. This project will work with the branch librarians and the discovery services department to establish metadata standards and begin creating corporate records for files at various branches to provide access to library users. Intern will end project by producing procedure guidelines for entering records (with branch-specific instructions if needed) and blog report of project.
Doug Litts, Librarian, Head
Smithsonian American Art Museum/
National Portrait Gallery Library
Smithsonian Libraries
littsd@si.edu
Phone: 202-633-8236
202-633-8230
Fax: 202-633-8232