ZAPP/VERA Archive Internship
Hours: 15 hours/week
Duration: 6 months
Stipend: $750 total/6 months (non-benefited)
Deadline for submissions: Wedn. September 23, 2009
Description:
The ZAPP/VERA Archives Internship is a unique opportunity to gain experience with two very different not-for-profit organizations: The Vera Project and Zine Archive and Publishing Project (ZAPP). The goal of this internship is to familiarize an intern with an existing library (ZAPP) at the Richard Hugo House for the purposes of creating and executing an electronic file plan and physical archiving system for The Vera Project. The intern, through research and interviews with ZAPP and Vera staff, and under the supervision of a professional archivist, will develop an organizational model that both complies with archival preservation standards and best meets the information and media accessibility needs of Vera. Upon completion of an approved organizational model, the intern will also implement clear procedures and prepare training materials for Vera staff and volunteers to learn and use the newly created archiving process.
In addition to this project, the intern will be responsible for smaller assigned projects, working closely with both The Vera Project and ZAPP staff and interns. The intern will divide their time between ZAPP and Vera, and will be required to provide his or her own transportation between the two organizations. This is a great opportunity for those interested in the local music community to learn extensively how to preserve the history and physical artifacts of one of Seattle’s most important all ages music and arts venue.
Key Responsibilities:
1. Gain experience at ZAPP working within and supporting an existing file structure.
2. Assess and gather data on the state of Vera’s current workflow and collection of paper and digital media which includes posters, fliers, and photographs.
3. Research possible archival solutions for Vera based on current best practices and standards.
4. Interview Vera staff to find out how they presently use records and how they would like to access archival media in the future.
5. Implement an approved file structure and create training materials.
6. Train Vera staff and interns on new archival system.
Skills and Qualifications:
1. An understanding of and/or an interest in all-ages music and zine cultures.
2. An ability to work independently and take initiative on projects.
3. A basic knowledge of archives and special collections practices and procedures.
4. Comfortable working with digital audio files and images as well applying archival practices and standards.
5. Demonstrated organizational and analytic skills.
6. A working knowledge of managing technological resources and how they are used in archives and organizations.
7. Good social networking and people skills, willingness to communicate with staff and supervisory contacts.
8. Ability to speak in public and prepare consistent training materials.
9. Commitment and flexibility for a long term project.
To be considered for this internship, please submit a resume and cover letter to hiringcommittee@theveraproject.org please include “Archive Internship” in the subject line) or mail to:
Zapp at Richard Hugo House
Archive Internship Program
1634 11th Ave
Seattle, WA 98122