Internship at University of Chicago Library

Mary and Samuel Somit Preservation Internship
University of Chicago Library
Summer 2014

The University of Chicago Library is accepting applications for the
2014 Mary and Samuel Somit Preservation Internship. The Internship
program has been made possible through the generosity of Dr. Albert
Somit, AB 1941, PhD 1947, University of Chicago alumnus and past
president of Southern Illinois University. Established to honor his
parents' legacy, the Internship serves the needs of the Library's
collection, and prepares individuals for the important work of
preserving library resources for research and teaching.

Internship - Summer 2014:

The six-week Internship is intended to provide students with an
opportunity to learn about a comprehensive program for the care of
collections and to apply their skills and knowledge in a research
library setting. Under the guidance of the Preservation Librarian
and other Library staff, the Intern will learn about Preservation
Department operations and undertake a project based on the needs of
the collection and the priorities of the Library.

The Mary and Samuel Somit Internship provides a $4,000 stipend.
Applicants must commit to six consecutive weeks of full-time work to
occur between June 1 - August 30, 2014.

Internship Project: For the summer 2014 Internship, the Internship
project will focus on the care and digitization of photographs of
the Middle East including collections of albumen prints and
stereoscopic cards dating from the mid-19th to the early 20th
century.  These photographs were intended for the burgeoning tourist
trade and served as an important method of entertainment, education,
and virtual travel.  Images include landscapes, monuments of the
Middle East's medieval and ancient past, as well as scenes of daily
life. Since the 19th century, much has been altered or transformed
so that in some cases the images are the only surviving records of
the Middle East's history.  This project will involve collaboration
with the Preservation Department's Digitization and Conservation
Units, the Digital Library Development Center, Technical Services,
and Subject Bibliographers.

Aspects of the project may include:

    High-resolution scanning of photographs; testing on various
    types of scanners to determine the optimum equipment for capture

    Creating metadata records for preservation and access based on
    imaging technology, printed and handwritten captions, catalog
    records, finding aids, a legacy website, and other printed and
    online sources

    Determining derivative file specifications for optimal online
    presentation

    Evaluating the collection's physical condition and preservation
    needs; recommending rehousing options

Eligibility and Requirements: The Internship is open to recent
graduates and currently enrolled students of a conservation program
or library program with a specialization in preservation or
digitization; or students with equivalent experience and
preservation or conservation training. Experience with the
application of digitization standards and metadata for images is
desirable.

To apply for the Internship individuals must electronically submit a
letter of application, a resume, and the names and e-mail addresses
of three professional references.  Graduates or currently enrolled
students in a graduate program should also provide a list of
completed preservation and other relevant courses.  To be considered
an applicant, individuals must be eligible to work in the United
States and be able to work six consecutive weeks of full-time work
between June 1 - August 30, 2014.

The University of Chicago is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity
Employer.

The deadline for applications is March 1, 2014.

Submit electronic applications to:

somitinternship<-a t->lib< . >uchicago< . >edu

For more information please see our Somit Preservation Internship
website

    <URL:http://www.lib.uchicago.edu/e/about/departments/preservation/somit>

or contact:

    Sherry Byrne, Preservation Librarian
    University of Chicago Library
    sbyr<-a t->uchicago< . >edu.

Sherry Byrne
Preservation Librarian
University of Chicago Library
1100 East 57th Street, Room 106
Chicago, IL  60637
773-702-9313


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