Color Curtain Processing Project
Graduate Student Processing Internship
Summer 2012
The Organization
The Black Metropolis Research Consortium (BMRC) is an unincorporated Chicago-based association of libraries, universities, and other archival institutions with major holdings of materials that document African American and African Diaspora culture, history, and politics, with a specific focus on materials relating to Chicago. The University of Chicago serves as Host Institution to the BMRC.
The Color Curtain Processing Project
The Council on Library and Information Resources (CLIR) has awarded a twenty-eight month “Hidden Collections” grant to the Black Metropolis Research Consortium (BMRC) for the “Color Curtain Processing Project: Unveiling the Archives of Chicago’s Black Metropolis”. The generosity of CLIR will enable the BMRC to process over 10,000 linear feet of its members’ primary resource collections related to African American History, create EAD finding aids.
Job Responsibilities:
-Arrange and describe archival collections using the “More Product, Less Process” method at select BMRC institutions.
-Create EAD finding aids for collections using Archivist’s Toolkit.
-Contribute to the project blog.
-Participate in the evaluation of the “Color Curtain Processing Project: Unveiling the Archives of Chicago’s Black Metropolis”.
Applicants Must:
-Have some experience processing archival collections. Applicants who are unable to demonstrate their processing experience will not be considered.
-Be available to work 40 hours per week.
-Be currently enrolled in a Library Science program or Archives and Records Management program at time of hire.
-Be able to work well independently and in a team, possess the ability to follow directions, work quickly, and achieve goals under strict time constraints.
-Possess knowledge of archival theory and best practices.
-Possess a strong interest in history and/or archives and special collections.
-Possess excellent organization skills and the ability to achieve deadlines.
-Be capable of working for multiple supervisors and professionals in the archival, library and museum field.
-Be willing to travel to any of the BMRC institutions participating in this project within the city of Chicago.
-Be capable of lifting 40 pounds.
-Pass a background check.
Duration:
The BMRC/CLIR "Color Curtain Processing Project: Unveiling the Archives of Chicago's Black Metropolis” project will run through July 2013. Summer interns will be hired to work for 12 weeks between May 2012 and August 2012. A mandatory training session will be held during the first week of the internship. The project team will be based at the BMRC office on the campus of the University of Chicago.
Compensation:
$6,075 for 12-Week Internship
To Apply:
Submit a resume, a letter of interest, a short writing sample, and complete contact information for two references to Bergis Jules (Project Director) at bjules@uchicago.edu with the subject “BMRC Color Curtain Processing Project Summer Internship Application 2012.”
**Please make sure you follow all instructions when applying to avoid any delays in the application review process.
**Application Deadline: March 26th, 2012.
