SPRING 2010 INTERSHIP OPENING
Title: Library Newspaper Intern
Department: Collections Management Department
Hours: 120-160
Status: Unpaid Internship
Application deadline: December 2010
Description:
The Minnesota Historical Society holds one of the most complete collections of Minnesota newspapers in the world. The collection dates from 1849 to the present day, and includes not only daily and weekly newspapers from all over the state but also current and historic newspapers published by schools, churches, prisons, ethnic, immigrant, and other special-interest organizations. Much of the collection is preserved on microfilm and is heavily used by genealogists and historians. The Minnesota Historical Society is beginning its third year of an ongoing project to migrate our newspaper holdings from a legacy database to our library catalog. The Minnesota Historical Society currently seeks an intern to continue the work on the project by creating and editing item and holdings records in the online library catalog using ALEPH, the library’s ILS software. The intern will also be responsible for compiling statistics and documenting procedures.
Primary responsibilities:
· Use the ALEPH software to create item-level records for newspaper microfilm titles and to edit bibliographic and holdings records, as necessary.
· Replace worn boxes and re-label as necessary.
· Work with library processing staff to resolve any problems.
· Compile statistics and lists of missing microfilm reels.
· Document procedures and workflows.
Minimal qualifications:
· General knowledge of MARC coding and tagging sufficient to create and edit item level records. The intern should also understand the structure and relationships of MARC bibliographic and holdings records, so that the correct information is added to the correct record.
· Keyboarding skills sufficient to input records accurately.
· Ability to use word processing and spreadsheet software for creation of reports and compilation of statistics.
· Attention to detail
Training and Orientation:
The Library Processing Manager and the Serials Processing Assistant will provide training and orientation to using the ALEPH software and the MnPALS library catalog.
Shared Value:
This position will make an important contribution towards making the library’s newspaper collection discoverable in MnPALS, the library catalog. It will also provide the intern with an opportunity for direct experience in using cataloging software to create and edit item and holdings records.
Hours and availability:
10-15 hours a week for 12-15 weeks. Scheduling is flexible between the hours of 8-5, Monday-Friday. The internship is unpaid. All interns must pass a background check.
Location:
Minnesota History Center, St. Paul, MN.
Those interested in this internship should send a resume and a cover letter to:
Sarah Quimby
Library Processing Manager
Minnesota Historical Society
345 Kellogg Boulevard West
St. Paul, MN 55102-1906
sarah.quimby@mnhs.org
