Barbara Holley Internship

The Musselman Library Intern will work closely with several Library Departments and gain valuable experience in many aspects of library operations, procedures, and management.

Intern will work in Special Collections, Reference & Instruction, Technical Services, and User Services.  This internship is designed for an individual who has recently completed an undergraduate degree (before June 2009) and is considering a career in information science, librarianship, or archives and records management.

Reference & Instruction Department:

Typical duties may include helping students and other library users at the reference desk, designing print and online course materials, assisting with workshops and classes, designing displays, and compiling evaluation statistics.  Special projects are developed with the supervisor and other librarians.  Some past projects have included:

• Designing promotional materials
• Helping plan library-sponsored events
• Creating web pages, graphics, and tutorials

Technical Services Department:

The intern learns about and works with the different processes associated with making library materials available for public access: serials and electronic resources, cataloging and processing, acquisitions and collection development.  The intern assists with journal processing and becomes familiar with issues and practices associated with print and e-journal access.  He/she gains knowledge of cataloging rules and standards and performs copy-cataloging for new materials.  The intern gains knowledge of budgeting practices, performs pre-order searching of requests, and assists with assessment of library holdings to improve collection content and access.  He/she will also participate in activities associated with the development of the library's emerging digital collections.  From these experiences, the intern can develop and/or carry out special projects as available.

Special Collections Department:

The Intern will learn archival theory and practice, and become familiar with rare books, manuscripts, photographs, and memorabilia collections.  The intern will assist in the arrangement and description of archival and personal papers collections, records management, collections management, and work with our digital projects team on research, and creation of metadata, for our collections in CONTENTdm.  

User Services Department:

The Intern will learn about resource sharing and assist with lending and borrowing research materials from other institutions.  He/she will learn about integrated library systems. Using new technologies, the intern will assist in the processing, receipt, and management of Interlibrary Loan materials.  The Intern will gain an awareness of copyright law as it applies to library resources.  The Intern will perform research as needed for departmental initiatives.

Other duties as assigned.

Qualification and Skill Requirements:

Recent Bachelor's degree.  Strong organizational, analytical, interpersonal, and communication skills are necessary, as well as an ability to interact with a wide variety of people.  Demonstrated knowledge of standard computer applications and the Internet.  Facility with the Microsoft Office Suite and web authoring software a plus.  The position entails frequent contact with college and community patrons and library staff, requiring tact and diplomacy.

Previous library work and/or library research experience highly desirable.

Physical Requirements:

General office environment requirements, to include the occasional lifting of books.  May also involve pushing or pulling heavy book carts, weighing up to 100 pounds.

Starting and Ending Dates:

This is a one-year appointment beginning June 1, 2009.

Application Procedure:

Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.  Applications received before Friday, March 6 will receive the fullest consideration.  Please submit a resume, cover letter and the names and contact information of at least two references to:

Gettysburg College
Office of Human Resource Services
Campus Box 2443
300 North Washington Street
Gettysburg, PA 17325.

*This position is made possible through the generous support of Barbara Holley, '54.

If you have questions about the position, please contact  Karen D. Drickamer, Director of Special Collections 717-337-7015 or kdrickam@gettysburg.edu.