Internship Information
The Manuscript Division provides support for interns and researchers through various Library-wide programs, including the Junior Fellows Program, Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU) National Internship Program (HNIP) external link, and the Archives, History and Heritage Advanced Internship Program (AHHA). It separately supports through its gift and trust funds two specific internship opportunities only available through the Manuscript Division:
- Elizabeth Brown Pryor Internship – Junior Fellows
- Mary Wolfskill Trust Fund Internship – Junior Fellows
More information regarding these internship opportunities is found below.
The Junior Fellows Program in the Manuscript Division
The Library of Congress Junior Fellows Summer Intern Program enables undergraduate and graduate students to experience the integrated analog and digital collections and services of the world's largest, all-inclusive library. Working under the direction of Manuscript Division staff, fellows explore various divisional initiatives and increase access to the institution’s unparalleled collections and resources. Fellows are exposed to a broad spectrum of library work: copyright, preservation, reference, access, and information technology. In the past, summer fellows have identified hundreds of historical, literary, artistic, cinematic and musical gems representing the Library’s rich cultural, creative and intellectual assets. No previous experience is necessary, but fellowships are competitive and special skills or knowledge are usually desired. Project descriptions can be found on the IFP Junior Fellowship webpage.
Elizabeth Brown Pryor Internship – Junior Fellows
The Manuscript Division Elizabeth Pryor Trust Fund Internship is a program intended for currently enrolled graduate or undergraduate students interested in collections conservation, preservation, library sciences, history, humanities, art and culture.
Elizabeth Brown Pryor interns are employed, usually during the summer months, in the Manuscript Reading Room, where they assist researchers in accessing the division's collection of nearly seventy million items relating to American history and culture. Under the direction of the head of the Reference & Reader Services Section, interns respond to reference inquiries received via telephone, electronic means, or in-person; analyze reference requests; investigate sources of information; draft, revise, and deliver responses; retrieve and reshelve manuscript materials; and compile reader usage statistics. The intern may also work on special finding aids projects that improve researcher access to the materials. Through an exposure to various aspects of archival reference and description, the intern will gain an introductory knowledge of the principles, concepts, and techniques of archival management.
The Elizabeth Brown Pryor Internship is administered as part of the Library of Congress Junior Fellows Summer Intern Program, and the selected intern is eligible to participate in all training programs and tours offered to the Junior Fellows. Applicants should demonstrate an ability to communicate effectively in writing, knowledge of integrated library systems, basic library applications, and other information technologies. Knowledge of American history is beneficial. See program website for further information on the application process.
Mary Wolfskill Trust Fund Internship – Junior Fellows
Named after a longtime Manuscript Division staff member who retired as the head of the division's Reference & Reader Services Section in 2005, the Mary Wolfskill Trust Fund is used to support internships in the Manuscript Division that will foster interest in archival work among graduate and undergraduate students, particularly minorities or students from smaller and lesser-known schools. The Fund was established in Wolfskill's memory with a generous gift from her sister, Edie Hedlin of Arlington, Virginia.
Mary Wolfskill interns are employed, usually during the summer months, in the Manuscript Reading Room, where they assist researchers in accessing the division's collection of nearly seventy million items relating to American history and culture. Under the direction of the head of the Reference & Reader Services Section, interns respond to reference inquiries received via telephone, electronic means, or in-person; analyze reference requests; investigate sources of information; draft, revise, and deliver responses; retrieve and reshelve manuscript materials; and compile reader usage statistics. The intern may also work on special finding aids projects that improve researcher access to the materials. Through an exposure to various aspects of archival reference and description, the intern will gain an introductory knowledge of the principles, concepts, and techniques of archival management.
The Mary Wolfskill Trust Fund Internship is administered as part of the Library of Congress Junior Fellows Summer Intern Program, and the Wolfskill intern is eligible to participate in all training programs and tours offered to the Junior Fellows. Applicants should demonstrate an ability to communicate effectively in writing, knowledge of integrated library systems, basic library applications, and other information technologies. Knowledge of American history is beneficial. See program website for further information on the application process.
Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU) National Internship Program (HNIP)
The Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities National Internship Program (HNIP) provides post-secondary students with on-the-job training to augment their academic studies while learning about career opportunities in the federal government. These internships provide the Library programmatic support in combination with the opportunity for staff to develop mentoring skills and to help cultivate a diverse workforce. The program is coordinated by the Library of Congress’s division of Internship and Fellowship Programs (IFP). Additional information can be found on the HACU internship page external link.
Archives, History and Heritage Advanced Internship Program (AHHA)
This program offers undergraduate juniors and seniors, graduate and doctoral students insights into the Library of Congress collections—the world's largest and most comprehensive repository of human knowledge. Interns will work under the supervision and guidance of a senior specialist and learn the standards and techniques to properly arrange and provide online descriptions for archival collection materials. Responsibilities will include analyzing, organizing, and interpreting collections or programs that help share an inclusive story of the American experience. Projects will heighten visibility and promote accessibility for Library resources that more fully represent the rich cultural heritage of the United States. For more information, visit the program website.