Graduate Intern - Special Collections

Description

POSITION TITLE:  Graduate Intern, Special Collections

The Huntsville-Madison County Public Library is a non-profit library system comprised of ten locations providing library and information services to the city of Huntsville and the surrounding Madison County area.  HMCPL is seeking a Graduate Intern to aid in digitization and processing projects.

The ideal candidate will be well-organized, passionate about archives and libraries, and excited to connect the community with historical resources.

LOCATION:

Special Collections Department at the Downtown Huntsville Public Library

915 Monroe Street SW

Huntsville, AL 35801

HOURS AND COMPENSATION: This is a 120-hour internship, with a pay rate of $17.50 per hour ($2,100 overall, subject to taxes). This position does not provide benefits. General schedule is subject to negotiation.  This position is scheduled to start in June 2026.

GENERAL STATEMENT OF DUTIES: 

This is professional work developing archival skills within a specialized library department. Assists in digitization projects, processing archival materials, and other skill-building tasks that result in complete work products for the intern. The position requires that the intern have basic knowledge of archival practices. This position is classified as Non-exempt for the purposes of the Fair Labor Standards Act.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED: Works under the direction of the manager of HMCPL Special Collections.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED: None

PROJECT DETAILS: The graduate intern will digitize a portion of the Photographs Collection, an archival collection within the HMCPL Special Collections Department. The intern will produce high-resolution scans of each photograph, create metadata, and carefully organize and label the digital files. The intern will use the images scanned to produce a minimum of five digital photograph collections to be shared on the HMCPL Special Collections online archival database, complete with curated descriptions and history/biographical information. The internship is a piece of a larger effort to process and digitize the entirety of the HMCPL Photographs Collection. Funding for this internship is provided by a Huntsville-Madison County Library Foundation grant. 

Work products will include:

• Digitization of historical photographs
• Creation of metadata for historical photographs
• Enable researcher access to digitized photographs through online and onsite Special Collections platforms
• Curated digital photograph collections to be shared through online Special Collections platforms
• Brief article on the collection and its importance, with potential for publication within Library system
• Additional projects as time and resources allow.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS: 

• Professionalism– Represents the mission and goals of the library while working with community partners. 
• Teamwork– Works well with Special Collections staff and staff of community partners to accomplish project goals.
• Skill-building– Has a base knowledge of archival best practices. Open to learning new archival skills and practices, including:
• digitization mechanics
• processing archival materials
• interacting with archives databases
• Analysis– Demonstrates an ability to think critically. Able to read, analyze, and contextually interpret historical documentation, including working knowledge of cursive handwriting and/or historical script. 

Specialized Expertise:

•  Works directly with the department head to oversee the care and preservation of the Library’s Archives including assessing materials for preservation, research and application of conservation practices as needed and assisting patrons with the use of the archives for research purposes.
• Provides research assistance and services to customers; completes historical research and prepares research for display, presentation, and/or future use by customers.

OTHER JOB FUNCTIONS: Participates in special projects as assigned.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: Requires sitting at a computer for extended periods of time. Requires standing, walking, reaching, climbing, stooping, and lifting/carrying items generally not exceeding 40 pounds. Must possess the vision required to read printed materials and a computer screen. Must possess the ability to hear and speak both in person and over the telephone. Finger dexterity is needed to access, enter, and retrieve data using a computer. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals to perform the essential functions.

WORK ENVIRONMENT: Generally, involves everyday risks or discomforts which require normal safety precautions typical of office environments. Special Collections environs may also include exposure to allergens such as dust and mold. 

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

General knowledge of professional archival principles, methods, materials, and practices; general knowledge of automated and computerized archives systems; ability to analyze and solve problems with guidance; competence in oral and written communications; ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with superiors, subordinates, associates, corporate representatives, officials of other agencies; proficiency with current computer programs and internet.

EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING: 

Must be enrolled in a Master’s Degree program in History, Public History, or Library Science (archival focus preferred) from an accredited college or university.  Prior experience in digitization projects preferred, though not required. Base knowledge of archival best practices.

This job description is not nor is it intended to be a complete state of all duties, functions, and responsibilities that comprise this position. Intern may be expected to perform additional duties that may not be reflected in this description. 

The Huntsville-Madison County Public Library is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Revised: 5/2026