Internship at University of Chicago

The Mary and Samuel Somit Preservation Internship
The University of Chicago Library

The University of Chicago Library is accepting applications for the
2007 Mary and Samuel Somit Preservation Internship.  This
Internship, established in 2006, has been made possible through the
generosity of Dr. Albert Somit (AB '41, PhD '47), University of
Chicago alumnus and past president of Southern Illinois University.
Dr. Somit has established the Internship to honor his parents'
legacy, serve the needs of the Library's collection and prepare
individuals for important work to preserve and protect library
materials and other scholarly works so that they are available for
research and teaching in the future.

The Internship is intended to provide firsthand experience and a
broader understanding of the care and treatment of library and
archives materials in an academic library.  Under the direction of
the Preservation Librarian, the Intern will learn about the
organization and operations of a comprehensive preservation program
and preservation issues and challenges within the context of a large
research library.  The Intern will work with staff from the
Preservation Department and the Special Collections Research Center
(SCRC) who are responsible for library binding, conservation,
preservation reformatting, and other preservation activities. The
Intern will be required to complete a project and prepare a final
report based on their interests and skills and the needs of the
Preservation Department and the SCRC.  Representative projects
include:

    Gathering background documentation and synthesizing information
    on a selected preservation issues or topics. Through this work,
    the Intern will become familiar with an aspect of the
    preservation literature.

    Designing and implementing a pilot project that documents the
    variables and tests the workflow for a preservation production
    operation, such as identifying materials in need of preservation
    and testing preservation approaches.  This will be an
    opportunity to apply, test, and fine-tune hypothetical concepts
    in a daily working environment.

    Developing, performing, and documenting a condition assessment
    or survey for a print or media collection. This information will
    be used to prioritize, plan, and implement general or specific
    treatment programs.

    Designing online staff and user education and training tools.
    These will be used to increase general awareness about
    preservation of library collections and to provide specific
    instruction and guidance to staff who handle and work with
    collections.

    Researching and developing a decentralized preservation program
    model or other strategies that will extend the reach of
    expertise and increase preservation services to collections
    located in separate buildings.

The outcome of the first Somit Preservation Internship was a project
focused on the preservation needs of Library's non-print media
collections.  Project components included the creation of a
searchable database of key information resources and reference works
in the field and the development of a survey tool that will be used
for assessment and preservation planning.

Eligibility and Requirements: Graduates and currently enrolled
students of a recognized library or conservation program; or
students (graduate or undergraduate) with equivalent experience and
training in preservation or book conservation.  Applicants must be
familiar with preservation principles, conservation treatments, and
reformatting activities and possess the ability to work
collaboratively and independently to accomplish project goals.
Familiarity with Windows XP, PC network environment, word-processing
and spreadsheet software is important.

Applicants must commit to six consecutive weeks of full-time work or
a part-time schedule over a specified time period that is mutually
agreeable.  The 2007 Internship provides a $3,000 stipend.

Students who are interested in the Internship should submit a letter
of application expressing their interest in this opportunity as well
as a resume and the names and e-mail addresses of three references.
Applications received by March 30, 2007, will be assured
consideration.  The Internship is available after April 1, 2007. The
actual appointment date will be based on discussions with the
Preservation Librarian and the successful applicant.

The University of Chicago Library is an equal
opportunity/affirmative action employer.

Submit applications by email to:

    Sherry Byrne
    Preservation Librarian
    University of Chicago Library
    sbyr [at] uchicago__edu
    1100 East 57th Street, JRL 150
    Chicago, IL 60637
    773-702-9313
    Fax: 773-702-6623


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                  Conservation DistList Instance 20:42
                  Distributed: Saturday, March 3, 2007
                       Message Id: cdl-20-42-018
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