University of Tennessee at Chattanooga Special Collections
Location Description
The Special Collections unit of the Library at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga seeks practicum students interested in working in a collaborative environment that stresses community engagement, experiential learning, open pedagogy, and a standards-based approach to curation. Practica students who successfully complete projects in Special Collections gain important transferable skills and exposure to professional software applications that help prepare them for graduate studies or careers in archival administration and records management.
Practicum Work Mode
On site
Semesters or Time Period Available
Ongoing, not limited to a specific semester
Location
600 Douglas Street
Chattanooga, TN 37411
https://www.utc.edu/library/special-collections
Contact
Carolyn Runyon
Director of Special Collections
archives@utc.edu
423-425-4503
Student Tasks
arranging and describing archival collections;
authoring biographical and historical notes that provide context for archival materials;
creating finding aids in compliance with Describing Archives: A Content Standard (DACS) and local practices using ArchivesSpace;
conducting and transcribing oral history interviews;
creating descriptive metadata and developing digital collections using CONTENTdm;
applying controlled vocabularies, including LCSH, LCNAF, AAT, and RightsStatements.org, to describe digital objects;
curating web and physical exhibitions and creating exhibition panels and catalogs;
and authoring lesson plans and instructional materials, including video tutorials, featuring local primary sources for K-12 audiences;
Type of Mentoring Provided to the Student
We create effective internships by collaborating with students to create clearly defined goals, offering feedback on projects and performance in weekly meetings, and providing opportunities for students to reflect on their experiences.
Student Interaction With Others at the Location
Practica students in Special Collections typically work closely with one of the faculty archivists in Special Collections and the Director of Special Collections. They work in an open space with other interns and student assistants completing assignments in Special Collections.