2024 Library and Archives Intern - Summer (Housing Provided)

The mission of Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art is to welcome all to celebrate the American spirit in a setting that unites the power of art with the beauty of nature. Founded by philanthropist and arts patron Alice Walton, Crystal Bridges is a public non-profit charitable organization. 

Job Description:

Position Title: 2024 Library and Archives Intern-Summer (Housing Provided)

Position Type: Paid Intern

Division: Learning and Engagement                       

Department: Library and Archives                          

Reports to: Director of Library and Archives                                       

Crystal Bridges is a museum of American art located in Bentonville, Arkansas. We explore the unfolding story of America by actively collecting, exhibiting, interpreting, and preserving outstanding works that illuminate the American heritage and artistic possibilities.

We are passionate about transforming lives through experiences that encourage the discovery of new ideas, expanded dreams, and inspired actions.

As an intern at Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, you will be empowered to think creatively, ask questions, and make suggestions to help move the institution forward.

Position Summary:

The Library & Special Collections Intern assists the library team, who work in collaboration with the museum’s Learning & Engagement and Curatorial divisions to facilitate research, interpretation, education, and public programs.

This internship provides a unique opportunity to build library and special collections experience in a museum setting. The library acquires rare books and reference materials that support and interpret the museum’s art collection and strategic initiatives. Contributions will revolve around key strategies of preservation, access, and interpretation.

The ideal candidate is passionate about libraries, rare books, art history, American history, and/or education and public programs. Applicants should be willing to problem solve, take initiative, acquire knowledge, promote access, and collaborate effectively.

This 8-week summer internship commences on June 3, 2024 and ends July 26, 2024. The intern is expected to work up to 40 hours per week. The stipend is paid biweekly. Pay rate for undergraduate students is $13/hr. Pay for graduate students is $14/hr. Housing near Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art is provided (Two interns per bedroom). Relocation assistance will be provided.

Principle Responsibilities (Essential Functions):

The Library & Special Collections Intern will actively participate and perform duties in some of the following functional areas:

Library Circulation

• Under staff supervision, catalog books for the main and rare books collections by creating records within the library’s Alma-Primo integrated system.
• Assist staff, scholars, and museum guests with collection use and resources.
• Participate in library inventory, re-shelving, and conservation projects.

Rare Books

• Conduct research on rare books to determine provenance and value.

Meeting Attendance

• Attend meetings to collaborate with multiple museum departments on project and program planning.

Public Programming

• Assist with educational and public programs, exhibitions, and communications related to Library & Archives collections.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Library Science or Information Studies student preferred; can include (but is not limited to) majors/minors such as Archival Studies, Art History, English, Cultural Anthropology, History, and Sociology.
• Excellent communication skills
• Dependable and punctual
• 40 hours per week; a mutually agreeable schedule will be determined in conversation with the hiring manager.
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite is required, and familiarity with library and web-based search tools is strongly preferred.
• A background check is required.
• Must maintain confidentiality of all non-public Museum information.
• Possible course credit can be negotiated with the University departmental supervisor.

Schedule:

• Month: June 3, 2024-July 26, 2024
• Weeks: 8 weeks
• Hours: 40 hours per week
• Weekly schedule to be arranged with direct supervisor

Timeline:

• Applications due: March 30th
• Intern selected by: April 12th
• Anticipated Start Date: June 3rd

Required Documents:

• Cover Letter
• Resume

Compensation

• High School Interns: $12.00
• Undergraduate Interns: $13.00
• Graduate Interns: $14.00

Physical Demands and Work Environment:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an intern to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Physical demands:  In the work environment described below, position requires work at a desk, utilizing a computer and a telephone for prolonged periods of time, good eye/hand coordination, bending and stretching for filing, and physical stamina to lift a minimum of 25 pounds to a height of at least three feet for file and materials storage as appropriate for the demands of the office. Visual acuity to review written materials is required for this job.
• Work environment:  Work will be performed in an office environment and museum spaces. The noise level in the museum work environment is usually low to moderate.
• If the intern’s personal equipment is used, the museum accepts no liability for any damage caused to said equipment while being used for museum purposes, nor loss or corruption of electronic files on devices.

All offers of employment are contingent on your successful completion (where permitted by state law) of a confidentiality agreement and background check. In addition, you will need to provide proper identification verifying your eligibility to work in the United States on your first day of work.

Crystal Bridges is an equal opportunity employer committed to building and maintaining a culturally diverse workplace that is free of discrimination and harassment of any kind. We encourage women, minorities, individuals with disabilities, and veterans to apply. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, veteran status, or any other status protected by the laws or regulations in the locations where we operate.