With a generous gift from the Lennox Foundation, the Lennox Foundation Endowment for Preservation Education, Training and Outreach was established to fund graduate level internships in library and archives preservation administration and conservation, and to support the educational outreach activities of the Iowa State University (ISU) preservation staff. The internship is offered by the ISU Library Preservation and Stacks Management Department (PSM) to provide graduate students with practical experience and exposure to preservation in an academic library environment.
This internship is intended to give current graduate students and recent graduates of preservation and conservation programs the opportunity to apply their skills and knowledge of care and treatment of library and archives materials in an academic library. Interns will work in the ISU Library PSM with guidance from the Head of PSM and the Digital Preservation Librarian.
Typically, this internship is completed on-site. Because of the global pandemic, the 2021 cycle will be completed in an online environment. Candidates will be expected to work remotely for the duration of the Fellowship. This change may affect the goals, deliverables, duration, and stipend associated with the program.
Research is a critical step in preservation.
Learning experiences
Interns will learn about the overall functioning and organization of the PSM Department and the Digital Preservation Unit:
- Workflow of materials through the various systems and tracking of materials;
- Inter- and intra-departmental workflows and collaboration;
- Coordination of goals and priorities.
In addition to learning about general operations of the department, interns will undertake and complete projects selected based on their interests and skills, and the needs and capabilities of the Department. Projects may include, but are not limited to, aspects of:
- Project planning and management;
- Collection survey and prioritization of formats;
- Operations in digital content transfer and management;
- Format and filename assessment in preparation for digital preservation;
- Identification and application of metadata and digital content best practices;
- Development of preservation education, training and outreach resources;
- Digital preservation guidelines for various content areas (e.g., digital scholarship, audio-visual preservation, etc.);
- Disaster planning and response.
Eligibility and Requirements
- Applicants must currently be graduate students, in good standing, in a program of library and archives preservation administration or conservation; or a recent graduate of such a program;
- EDIT 20210325: after receiving invaluable feedback, the search committee will assess applicants based upon demonstrated interest in digital stewardship including coursework, independent study, skill development, or other commitment to gaining knowledge;
- Applicants must commit to part or full-time employment as interns for the duration of the internship;
- Applicant must commit to reliable Internet access;
- Internship must be completed within the calendar year;
- At the end of the internship, the intern will be required to submit a final report or project;
- Applicants must have student or working visas if not U.S. citizens.
The duration of the Lennox Foundation Internship is 6-9 months and a start date after June 1, 2021. Remote work allows us to accommodate flex time or part time work arrangements and the opportunity to further the learning goals of the intern. The intern will be provided with a minimum monthly stipend of $1600 (part-time), a remote workstation, and software and support.
Application Packet
To apply for the Lennox Foundation Preservation and Conservation Internship please submit the following items:
- Cover letter
- Current resume
- Contact information for two professional references (include address, phone number and e-mail address)
- Statement of interest (include projects of interest)
- Graduate program description including requirements and course descriptions. Please include an unofficial transcript indicating the courses you have completed.
The application materials can be emailed to: Tammy Troup ttroup@iastate.edu
Tammy Troup
Digital Preservation Librarian
Iowa State University of Science and Technology
701 Morrill Rd.
204 Parks Library
Ames, IA 50011-2140
To guarantee consideration, apply by April 16, 2021
Information about Iowa State University
Iowa State University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, age, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, sex, marital status, disability, or status as a U.S. veteran. Inquiries can be directed to the Director of Equal Opportunity and Diversity, 3680 Beardshear Hall, 515 294-7612.
Library and Archives Preservation 