PROJECT SUMMARY

In the spring of 2024 Chesterwood will undertake a major relocation of its sculpture and painting collection from sub-optimal conditions in the basement of an 19^th C. barn to a new state-of-the-art facility and storage racks within the recently renovated historic residence. To complement this study collection of art objects, a new Study and Resource Center will be created adjacent to the racks to hold Chesterwood’s extensive archival and resource materials that relate to the life and work of Daniel Chester French: books, articles, museum catalogues, exhibition brochures, etc. This resource collection must be reviewed, arranged, shelved and described into a cataloguing system thus creating both virtual and physical access to the collection for Chesterwood staff, researchers, scholars and visitors. This print resource collection, alongside the art study collection, will eventually be open to the public for regular Reading Room hours, special tours and programs.

National Trust internships are temporary experiential learning opportunities with no expectation of employment at the conclusion of the internship.

For this internship, the National Trust is offering a stipend of $4,000 to help offset expenses. The period of the internship will be from approximately June 10 – August 16, (10 weeks) for approximately 28 hours per week (end date is flexible).

DUTIES

• Review print materials collection and propose plan to arrange and describe

• Catalogue materials into database following best practices in library science and archival management

• Create a Finding Aid; create a Collection Use and Policies document

• Create a loan system for Chesterwood staff

EDUCATIONAL VALUE TO THE INTERN

The intern will gain experience under the mentorship of respected preservation and museum professionals, in an educational setting at one of the nation’s premier historic house museums. The intern will also have the opportunity to participate in educational programming offered via the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s organization-wide internship program. Students may also be eligible for college or graduate school academic credit at the discretion of their institution.

Specifically, the intern will gain knowledge in the following areas:

• Collection arrangement and description which includes the creation of a finding aid, collection policies and a loan system

• Best practices in Library Science and Archival Management

• Collections database systems

At the end of the project the intern will have produced a digital catalogue of the resource collection, as well as a Finding Aid, a Collections Use and Policies document, and a loan system document, which can be added to their professional portfolio in support of their future career pursuits.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Current (or recently graduated) student in a Masters in Library Science program, preferably with a focus on Archival Management

• Must have own transportation and lodging, and work on site at least 4 days a week.

• Basic analytical and problem solving skills, including issue identification and prioritization. Basic project-organization skills.

• Excellent attention to detail.

• Ability to collaborate and achieve results with supervision, including ability to interact professionally with key internal and external stakeholders as needed. Ability to work successfully in close proximity to others required.

• Strong organizational skills required, with ability to prioritize, multi-task efficiently, and meet deadlines in a timely fashion

• Ability to adapt and be flexible in a dynamic work environment. Ability to work effectively with frequent interruptions required. Able to handle frequently changing and/or unscheduled tasks with accuracy.

• Strong verbal and written communication skills. Friendly and professional demeanor on the phone and in writing, with ability to speak and write clearly in English.

• Familiarity with collections database systems software a plus.

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