Intern - Special Collections Library Intern

Mnhs; Northern (KY); Hybrid; USD 23,000 - 26,000; Part time

Job summary

The Minnesota Historical Society offers an Intern - Special Collections Library Intern position at the History Center in St. Paul, MN.

This part-time, temporary role supports public access projects, seminars, and museum operations while gaining experience in a busy Special Collections environment. You will develop research guides, analyze reference tools, shadow service desks, and engage with various library tasks and departments.

Qualifications

• Currently enrolled undergraduate or graduate student, or graduated within the past 12 months.
• Ideal candidates may be pursuing Library/Info Science, History, Public History, Social Science or Humanities with primary source research.
• Experience and physical and driving requirements may apply.

Responsibilities

• Communicating with the public at the Library Registration Desk.
• Learning and using library computer software.
• Using regular office software (documents, spreadsheets, etc.).
• Researching in catalogs, search systems, and databases.
• Selecting and prioritizing collection materials for learning tools.

Skills

Communication

Research

Office software

Education

Undergraduate or graduate student

Library/Info Science or related studies

Job description

Intern - Special Collections Library Intern

Temporary St Paul, MN, US

4 days ago Requisition ID: 2192

LOCATION

History Center - 345 W Kellogg Blvd., St. Paul, MN 55102

COMPENSATION

Typical starting salary $17.02 hourly

HOURS

This is a part-time, temporary position from approximately January 19, 2027 to May 23, 2027. A part-time intern must be available to work 8-15 hours per week. This position offers a flexible work schedule, coordinated with the intern’s school schedule and operational needs. Preferred working hours are Tuesday through Friday (occasional Saturdays possible), between 9:00 am and 4:30pm, 3+ hours per shift.

POSTING DATE

October 7, 2026

DEADLINE DATE

October 26, 2026

SEMINAR EVENTS

Interns are required to participate in three, in-person seminars focused on professional development, learning how cultural organizations operate, and building a network of industry professionals. At the end of the semester, interns complete a final presentation to share their work.

Please ensure you are available for these dates when applying:

• Thursday, February 4 from 11:30am-1:00pm
• Thursday, March 18 from 1:00-3:00pm
• Thursday, April 22 from 2:00-4:00pm
• Final Presentations: May 23 from 11:30am-1:00pm

APPLICATIONS MUST INCLUDE

• A list of already-completed MLIS, research-based, or related coursework.

DESCRIPTION

The Intern will experience work in a busy Special Collections/Archival environment, including participating in daily library activities, completing projects related to public access of MNHS collections items, and developing a network of contacts in the library field. Ongoing projects will vary and likely include developing research guides and analyzing reference tools for improvement. The Intern will also shadow at various service desks, work at the Library’s registration desk, and learn about other types of library work that interest them (from other Library, Archives, and Collections Division departments).

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Communicating with members of the public via in-person interactions at the Library Registration Desk;
• Learning and using various types of library computer software;
• Using various types of regular office software (documents, spreadsheets, etc.);
• Researching in catalogs, search systems, and databases;
• Selecting and prioritizing collection materials for inclusion in learning tools based on standards.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Currently enrolled as an undergraduate or graduate student, or have graduated within the past 12 months at the time of application.
• Ideal candidates might be currently pursuing, or a graduate with a degree in the following areas: Library/Info Science graduate program, History or Public History, Social Science or Humanities Degree with Primary Source Research.
• experience
• physical requirements
• driving requirements

Should you have questions with the application process, email [e-mail] or call 651-259-3191.

At MNHS, we don’t just accept difference — we celebrate it, we support it, and we thrive on diversity for the benefit of our employees, interns, volunteers, our products and services, and our community. The Minnesota Historical Society believes that an inclusive culture among our team members is critical to our success as a historical society and museum, and we seek to recruit, develop and retain the most talented people from a diverse candidate pool. The Minnesota Historical Society is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and employer.