Special Collections Archival Intern

Position Overview

Vanderbilt Special Collections and University Archives (SCUA) holds the complete
collections of cartoonists Tom Little and Charles Bissell whose work appeared in
The Tennessean from the 1930s-1970s. Their work presents a near daily glimpse
into four decades of local, regional, and national politics. The collections are housed
in hundreds of oversized flat boxes, roughly collated together by year.
We are seeking an intern to help us process and describe these collections by
examining each cartoon and entering the appropriate metadata in a spreadsheet.
Some research may be required as well as some light preservation work. We are
aiming to have a cartoon processed every 5 minutes, so time management is key.

The goal is to make these collections accessible since they are currently underdescribed, which limits their educational and research value. This internship will
provide hands-on archival experience in an academic library environment, and is
generously funded by the TN250 program, which will highlight Tennessee as part of
the celebration of America’s 250th anniversary.

Key Responsibilities
• Examine items and enter all appropriate metadata into a spreadsheet
• Conduct research with designated databases when needed
• Request materials through our request management system
• Folder, label and re-box items as needed
• Separate items with tissue paper to help preservation
• Attend meetings and take notes when needed
• Perform other duties as assigned by the supervisor
Qualifications
• Undergraduate or graduate students currently enrolled in or recently
graduated from a relevant degree program
• Strong attention to detail and organization with a willingness to learn
• Ability to lift 30–40-pound boxes
• Excellent time management skills are a must
Benefits
• Hands-on archival experience
• Mentorship and professional development
• Potential academic credit (if applicable)
To apply, please submit a cover letter and resume to
specialcollections@vanderbilt.edu. In your cover letter, please describe your
interest in the internship and why you would be an ideal candidate