Spring 2027 Research Resources: Library and Archives Internship

Collections That Care; New York (NY); On-site; USD 8,900 - 11,000; Part time

Job summary

The Whitney Museum of American Art invites applications for a Spring 2027 Research Resources: Library and Archives intern. The role focuses on cataloging, preservation, and supporting reference services for the Library and Archives.

You will help with circulation, reading room supervision, and assisting researchers both on-site and remotely. Ideal candidates are MLIS students or recent graduates with cataloging experience and an interest in modern American art.

Qualifications

• Ideal candidate is a current student or recent graduate with at least one semester in a Library and Information Science program or related graduate program.
• Experience with library cataloging (MARC, RDA, LCSH, LC classification) and/or preservation is a plus.
• Interest in modern and contemporary American art and museum work.
• Ability to work independently with attention to detail.
• Experience with conducting research using an ILS.
• Ability to lift cartons (up to 30lbs) is helpful.
• Graduate students enrolled in MLIS or related programs are eligible.
• While interest in art history is preferred, students in all majors are encouraged to apply.
• Previous museum experience is not required.

Responsibilities

• Create original and copy cataloging in MARC for library materials.
• Create preservation housings for Library Special Collections materials.
• Assist with in-person and remote reference services for Library and Archives.
• Assist with the circulation of library materials.
• Assist with supervising the reading room and on-site researchers.
• Assist with reference inquiries from staff and external researchers.

Skills

Library cataloging

Preservation

Reference services

Reading room supervision

Research using an ILS

Ability to lift 30 lbs

Independent work

Museum experience welcomed

Education

MLIS or related program

Current student or recent graduate

Tools

MARC

RDA

LCSH

LC classification

ILS software

Job description

Summary

The Whitney seeks a Research Resources: Library and Archives intern for the Spring 2027 semester.

Expected Projects & Assignments

• Create original and copy cataloging in MARC for library materials
• Create preservation housings for Library Special Collections materials
• Assist with providing in-person and remote reference services for Library and Archives
• Assist with the circulation of library materials
• Assist with supervising the reading room and on-site researchers
• Assist with reference inquiries from staff and external researchers

Key Details

Stipend: $3,000

Duration: January 18 – April 26, 2027

Schedule: PT (14 hours/week)

Deadline:November 9, 2026

Eligibility

Skills & Qualifications

• Ideal candidate is a current student or recent graduate who has completed at least one semester in a Library and Information Science program, or related graduate program
• Experience with library cataloging (MARC, RDA, LCSH, LC classification) and/or preservation a plus
• Interest in modern and contemporary American art and museum work
• Ability to work independently with attention to detail
• Experience with conducting research using an ILS
• Ability to lift cartons (up to 30lbs) is helpful
• Graduate students enrolled in MLIS or related programs are eligible.
• While a demonstrated interest in art and art history is preferred, students in all majors are encouraged to apply
• Previous museum experience is not required

About

The Whitney Museum of American Art, founded in 1930 by the artist and philanthropist Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney, houses the foremost collection of American art from the twentieth and twenty-first centuries. From her vision arose the Whitney Museum of American Art, which has been championing the most innovative art of the United States for 86 years. The core of the Whitney’s mission is to collect, preserve, interpret, and exhibit American art of our time and serve a wide variety of audiences in celebration of the complexity and diversity of art and culture in the United States.

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Tagged as: Archives, Library