Internships in Cataloging & Metadata

How it works

• Toggle Item

  Module 1: Writing Archival Biographies and Administrative Histories
  This module involves learning to perform historical research and write short biographies for individuals whose materials are housed in BYU Library’s special collections or administrative histories for corporate bodies whose archives the library holds. After the supervisor finalizes these biographies according to archival description standards, the intern’s work will result in published biographies online that can be included in their resume (for example: https://archives.lib.byu.edu/agents/corporate_entities/1786).
  
  
• Toggle Item

  Module 2: Archival Processing
  During this module, you will perform archival processing for multiple smaller manuscript collections, with the oversight of an archivist. The topic and formats will vary widely, but will likely involve family history related collections, local Utah and Latter-day Saint history materials, or Brigham Young University records. Archival processing includes rehousing (foldering, re-boxing, labeling, and sorting), historical research, and writing or editing a finding aid to be published on our online content management system, ArchivesSpace: https://archives.lib.byu.edu/. Processing will allow materials to be made available for student and researcher use in the Special Collections Reading Room.
  
  Karen Glenn: karen_glenn@byu.edu
  
• Toggle Item

  Module 3: Victorian Women Writers’ Biographical Database
  This module involves rediscovering forgotten Victorian women writers to be included in the database Her Voice in Her Pen: Victorian Women Who Wrote (see https://atom.lib.byu.edu/victorianwomen/). Interns will identify women writers of the Victorian era and search for their biographical data via several sources, learning which sources are more reliable than others. As they compile the data, interns will learn some of the complexities associated with how Victorians recorded biographical information and what was left out. Interns will also learn how to assess the information for accuracy versus probability and misidentification, and develop critical judgment for choosing what to ultimately publish in the database.
  
  Valerie Buck: valerie_buck@byu.edu
• Toggle Item

  Module 4: Family History Research and Description
  During this module, the intern will create records for the library’s online catalog to describe families and family histories. The student will develop familiarity with FamilySearch, Ancestry, biographical dictionaries, and other avenues for conducting research on historical families and individuals.
  
  Katie Yeo: katie_yeo@byu.edu
• Toggle Item

  Module 5: Adding Geolocation Metadata to Historical Utah Valley Images (currently unavailable)
  This module will include training on how to add geolocation metadata to historical images from Utah Valley and other local places, allowing researchers and other users to see how a place has changed over time. The intern will use Sanborn maps, historical directories, and other historical records in this project.
  
  Kjerste Christensen: kjerste_christensen@byu.edu
  
  
• Toggle Item

  Module 6: Adding FamilySearch IDs to Authority Records
  During this module, the intern will match individuals named in the library’s name authority file with the person’s record in FamilySearch and then record the FamilySearch identifier in the name authority record. Project work will help the intern gain skills and experience with basic metadata principles by identifying named individuals. The intern will also develop familiarity with FamilySearch.
  
   
  
  
  Nicole Lewis: nicole_lewis@byu.edu