Program Profile
The Library of Congress has been the mint record of American creativity since July 8, 1870, when President Ulysses S. Grant signed into law the Act that centralized the copyright system in the Library of Congress. Since that historic day the Library, through the workings of the U. S. Copyright Office, has served the nation well as its national registry and depository for creative works. Over 32,000,000 works of authorship have been registered in the past 138 years, and thanks to the methodical record-keeping of the Copyright Office, the United States has a complete, uninterrupted record documenting forms of creativity that are uniquely American. Over the years, countless treasures (musical scores, dramas, poetry, film footage, photographs, and works of popular and applied graphic arts) registered for copyright protection have been assimilated into the Library’s unparalleled special nonbook collections.
The primary objective of the Library's Summer Intern Program is to locate and itemize the still uncataloged elements of the Library’s copyright deposits. The Library of Congress is once again appreciative for its Summer Intern Program, made possible through the generosity of the late Mrs. Jefferson Patterson and the James Madison Council, a private sector advisory group. College students from across the nation are invited to apply for consideration as Jefferson Patterson and Madison Council Junior Fellows. Those chosen will be given the task of delving deep into key parts of the Library’s little known nonbook collections, producing an inventory, and identifying unique examples of past American creativity. Upon completion of their research assignments, the interns will work closely with Library staff and curators to plan a display and discussion in the historic Thomas Jefferson Building of their most significant discoveries.
Program Overview
This program offers undergraduate and graduate students insights into the environment and culture of the world’s largest and most comprehensive repository of human knowledge. Working with the staff, curators, and the incomparable collections of the Library of Congress, interns will be exposed to a broad spectrum of library work: preservation, reference, access standards, information management, the U. S. copyright system and gift collections
No previous experience is necessary, but internships are competitive and special relevant skills are desirable. Selection will be based on academic achievement, letters of recommendation, and in most cases an interview with a selection official.
Eligibility
Applicants must be U. S. citizens currently enrolled in a degree-granting program of study at an accredited institution of higher learning at the undergraduate (college, university, or Tribal College) or graduate levels, or have graduated since August 2007 from an undergraduate or graduate program.
Terms
Summer internships will begin June 2, 2008, and run through August 8, 2008. The comprehensive orientation program scheduled during the first week includes training in conservation techniques and instructions for the safe handling of rare copyright deposit materials, many of which date back to the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries.
Interns will work full-time (40 hours per week), Monday through Friday, and will receive a taxable income of $300.00 per week.
Interns are temporary employees of the Library of Congress and are not eligible for Federal Employee benefits and privileges. However, they are protected by worker's compensation laws and eligible for Metrochek, a transit subsidy program for qualified individuals who use the Metro System, Virginia Rail Express, MARC commuter trains, and county and commercial buses and qualified commercial van pools to commute to their jobs at the Library.
Application Process
The application package must include the following materials:
- A detailed cover letter indicating at least three (3) subject area(s) in which the applicant is
interested, language abilities if relevant, and statement of professional
objectives.
Subject Areas of Interest:
- American History
- History of Popular and Applied Graphic Arts, Architecture, and Design
- History of Photography
- Manuscript Drama
- Film, Television, and Radio
- Sound Recordings
- Music
- Rare Books and Manuscripts
- American Popular Culture
- Preservation and Conversation
- Area Studies (Asian)
- Area Studies (Hispanic)
- Area Studies (European)
- Serials and Government Publications
- Completed Forms OF612 (Application for Federal Employment)
and OF 306 (Declaration for Federal Employment). PDF or Word Versions
of both forms are available at this link for download. To expedite the application
and selection process, please include email address on all forms and correspondence. The Background Survey Questionnaire is optional.
- Application for Federal Employment OF612
Word version - Declaration for Federal Employment OF306
Word version - Background Survey Questionnaire
Word version
- Application for Federal Employment OF612
- Two (2) letters of recommendation from an appropriate professor or employer attesting to the applicant's proficiency, reliability and the feasibility of his/her carrying out assignments. These may be sent by the authors directly to interns08@loc.gov. Be sure to include applicant's name in subject line.
- Transcript(s) from the current or most recently attended university or college. Unofficial photocopies will be accepted.
Applications will be accepted only on-line and should be sent to:
2008 Summer Intern Program Coordinating Committee at interns08@loc.gov.
Questions about the program can be emailed to: questions08@loc.gov.
- Applicants are responsible to ensure their applications and supporting materials are received by the application deadline.
BEFORE YOU SUBMIT
Ensure that your application package is complete.
Ensure that each document is in a separate file.
Incomplete applications not processed.- Is your cover letter complete and provide 3 areas of interest?
- Is your cover letter included?
- Is your Application for Federal Employment OF612 included?
- Is the Declaration for Federal Employment OF306 included?
- Is the Background Survey Questionnaire included?
- Are the 2 letters of recommendation included?
- Are recent transcripts included?
- Are the documents in separate files? Note: You may send the document files in separate emails, if you experience problems sending everything in one email. Please label your documents.
- The inbound maximum message size is 10MB. If you sent multiple emails please label them with applicant's name + 1 of x, 2 of x, 3 of x.
Application Deadline
All applications (and supporting materials) must be received by the Intern Selection Coordinating Committee by midnight EDT Monday, March 31, 2008.
Selection Process
Applications will be forwarded to selecting officials in the Library who will arrange telephone interviews with promising applicants, based on materials submitted. Those selected will be provided with detailed information on reporting for their internship on June 2.
The Library of Congress Junior Fellows Summer Intern Program is a joint project of the U. S. Copyright Office, Library Services, Office of Workforce Diversity, Human Resources Services, the Office of Strategic Initiatives, and the Office of the Chief Financial Officer.
The Library of Congress is an equal opportunity employer. Women, minorities, and persons with disabilities who meet eligibility requirements are strongly encouraged to apply.