Winterthur Library Graduate Intern

Winterthur Museum, Garden & Library•Winterthur, DE

About The Position

The Winterthur Library Graduate Internship supports emerging library professionals interested in special collections librarianship, particularly in art, design, history, and material culture. Winterthur Library is an independent research center with rare books, manuscripts, and archives documenting decorative arts and material culture, especially the art, craft, and culture of the Americas from the 17th through 21st centuries. Its archives also document Winterthur’s history as a home, museum, garden, and Americana collection. Under the guidance of Winterthur’s Special Collections Cataloging and Metadata Librarian, the intern will gain hands-on experience cataloging distinctive collections and improving description and access for materials in varied formats, languages, and eras. Materials may include rare books, bound manuscripts, trade catalogs, realia, and unique bound formats such as swatch and sample books. The internship lasts approximately 15 weeks during a fall, spring, or summer semester, with the possibility of consecutive semesters. Winterthur may work with the candidate’s institution to satisfy credit requirements. The position pays $20.00 per hour and is scheduled for 20 hours per week over 15 weeks during the spring semester, with flexible hours Monday through Friday.

Requirements

A B.A. in a humanities discipline is required; American studies, art history, history, literature, or a related field is preferred.
Must be currently enrolled in a master’s degree program in Library and Information Science accredited by the ALA, or an equivalent degree program with experience and/or training specifically addressing the skills required for the position.
Excellent communication, organization, time management, problem-solving, and research skills.
Experience with or a strong interest in cataloging, particularly rare materials and special collections.
Experience with or a strong interest in librarianship in an academic, research, museum, or other special library setting.
Demonstrated knowledge of cataloging, including familiarity with content and data structure standards (MARC, DACS, and EAD); descriptive standards (RDA, AACR2, and the DCRM suite); controlled vocabularies such as Library of Congress Subject Headings, RBMS Controlled Vocabulary, and the Art & Architecture Thesaurus; Library of Congress Classification; and authority control principles.
Experience with an automated or integrated library system, ArchivesSpace or a similar archival management platform, and digital content management systems.

Nice To Haves

Coursework or interest in cataloging and metadata, archives management, digital humanities, special collections librarianship, and/or museum studies.
Familiarity with critical cataloging and reparative description principles, and with metadata-focused equity initiatives and resources.
Reading knowledge of one or more languages other than English, preferably French, Dutch, German, Italian, Latin, or Spanish.
Familiarity with data mapping, querying, and transformation using tools such as MarcEdit and OpenRefine or programming languages such as Python and SQL.
Experience with library systems such as FOLIO, Koha, SirsiDynix Symphony, or Ex Libris Alma, and digital content management systems such as AM Quartex, Terentia, or Islandora.

Responsibilities

Create descriptions for scholarly and special collections materials across varied formats, languages, and eras using the FOLIO Library Data Platform and OCLC Connexion Client and applying current best practices and standards.
Contribute complex copy cataloging, some original cataloging, and record enrichment for print and bound materials in Winterthur Library’s rare book, manuscript, and circulating collections, as well as the Memorial Library in Winterthur Museum.
Help identify legacy library metadata that needs review, enhancement, or remediation.
As needed, participate in archival description, public programming, collection management, and other library operational activities.