Description
The goal of the Advanced Preventive Conservation Internship is to enable preservation graduate students or emerging professionals with similar experience to broaden and refine decision-making, project-management, and collections care abilities, and function as a cooperative and productive staff member in the Conservation Division of the Library of Congress. Interns focus on preservation challenges in the context of a large research library and consider the needs of a broad range of formats and collection materials.
The focus of the Internship matches the Intern’s interests and level of expertise with the current projects and annual objectives of the Division.
The Advanced Preventive Conservation Internship is hosted by the Conservation Division of the Preservation Directorate at the Library of Congress. The Conservation Division includes staff specializing in book, paper, photograph, and preventive conservation. The Preservation Directorate has a Research Resource Center with an expansive collection of conservation literature that is available to Interns for conducting research.
Internship Details
Internship activities include:
- Preservation Needs Assessment
- Collections Condition Survey
- Collections Processing and Documentation
- Collections Care, Stabilization, and Housing
- Collections Packing and Moving
- Environmental Monitoring
- Integrated Pest Management
- Emergency Management
- Mold Mitigation
- Lab Maintenance
- Research
- Staff and Patron Care and Handling Training
- Preservation Reformatting
- Other Preservation Planning Activities
In addition, Interns have the opportunity to participate in outreach activities such as lab tours for visitors and are encouraged to attend relevant in-house lectures and conferences. Interns meet curators to discuss planning and decision making and are expected to give a farewell presentation to Library staff on their year's work and accomplishments. The Washington metro area is home to many cultural heritage institutions with conservation facilities that are available for visits and Interns are encouraged to be active in the Washington professional community.
Application and Selection Procedure
The goal of the Internship is to enable preservation graduate students or emerging professionals with similar experience to broaden and refine abilities and function as a cooperative and productive staff member in the Conservation Division of the Library of Congress. Candidates will be selected on the basis of preservation knowledge, skills, and abilities, an active commitment to professional ethics as stated in the AIC Code of Ethics and Guidelines for Practice, effective communication skills, and an understanding of library and archival collections.
The Library may accept one or more Interns per year for the Advanced Preventive Conservation Internship. The length of the Internship is typically 11-12 months and follows the academic year. Shorter term (12-week) internships are possible depending on time available, current Library staffing and work load, and the candidate's interests and qualifications – but naturally provide a less in-depth experience of the Library.
Applicants should complete and submit the Preservation Fellowship and Internship Application Form [PDF: 176 KB / 3 p.]. Please follow the additional instructions on the application form and note that the Preservation Directorate uses this one application form for all of the various internships and fellowships offered. Citizenship requirements: open to U.S. residents; non-U.S. residents must be Visa-eligible.
Between January 24-February 1, we will contact those applicants most qualified to schedule a phone interview with the internship coordinators. (Please note that in accordance with Library of Congress procedures, all interviews are conducted over the telephone.) All applicants must be prepared to submit by email three treatment reports with photographic documentation between January 24-February 1.
If it is not possible to submit requested materials by email, please be in touch with the contact person listed below..
Application Schedule
- January 2-23: Applications accepted
- January 24-February 1: Qualified applications will be scheduled for a telephone interview and must submit written and photographic treatment documentation
- February 4-22: Interviews conducted
- March 1: Letters posted to applicants
- September: Internship begins
Stipend/Compensation
Limited funds that can help defray the cost of travel to and from Washington, DC may be available. Consult the Fellowships & Internships page to see current sources for funds.
To apply, please direct letters of application to:
Mary Oey
Preservation Education Specialist
Library of Congress
Telephone: (202) 707-8345
FAX: (202) 707-1525
moey@loc.gov
Because of security measures at the Library,
all postal delivery may be delayed. We request
that all application materials and inquiries be sent by email.
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