Month: February 2017

Internship Description

The internship activities include assisting the Access Services librarian in conducting an item-by item inventory of a section of the rare books collection. The intern will use a cataloging system-generated shelf list and inventory system and will check the list against the physical items on the shelves. The intern will help to identify and document items not represented in the online cataloging records, mislabeled items, items lacking barcode/ unique identifier number, and noting any misplaced, or missing items.

If time and opportunity permit, the internship will examine provenance notes and treatment notes and add them to a database of the collection items.

Library/Collection Description

Hamilton Library’s main collection has a Rare Book collection of approximately 10,000 titles. The collection is comprised of manuscripts and serials ranging from the 1500s to the present. The collection includes subcollection groups of miniature books, juvenile fiction, and book arts.

The shelf list cards for the collection items may have some provenance notes attached to the shelf list cards This information may or may not be included in the cataloging record. Preservation or treatment notes exist for certain items in the collection. The notes are currently stored as paper copies and housed in Manila folders.

Required Qualifications

• No required course.
• Knowledge/experience with reading and arranging LC call number arrangement is necessary.
• Basic knowledge of rare books is desired but not needed.
• Basic knowledge about rare book collections and practices, and training for handling rare book materials will be provided.

Desired Qualifications

• Attention to detail.
• Ability to work independently.
• Interest in rare books and book arts.
• Basic understanding of spreadsheets and understanding of the library’s Ex Libris/Alma One Search records.
• Ability to maintain a secure work and collection area.

Weekly Schedule

10-20 hours per week? Must negotiate and coincide with the librarian’s schedule as much as possible as the intern will work side-by-side with the librarian in the Rare Book cage.

Goals and Outcomes

• Experience with various rare book materials.
• Knowledge of provenance details and preservation/conservation treatments/notes.
• Experience in conducting a collection inventory.

Evaluation Methods

• Timely progress in conducting inventory.
• Folder of materials/information provided on rare books, provenance, and preservation/conservation.
• Reflection journal entries.

Evaluation Schedule

Inventory progress bi-weekly check by the project librarian;
Folder contents by mid-term;
reflection journal entries monthly during the term.

Contact Information