What are the responsibilities and job description for the Special Collections Archival Intern position at Vanderbilt University?
Archival Internship at Vanderbilt University
Position Title: Intern
Department: Special Collections and University Archives
Location: Nashville, TN
Duration: Summer 2026
Position Overview
Vanderbilt Special Collections and University Archives (SCUA) holds the complete collections of cartoonists Tom Little and Charles Bissell whose work appeared in The Tennessean from the 1930s-1970s. Their work presents a near daily glimpse into four decades of local, regional, and national politics. The collections are housed in hundreds of oversized flat boxes, roughly collated together by year.
We are seeking an intern to help us process and describe these collections by examining each cartoon and entering the appropriate metadata in a spreadsheet. Some research may be required as well as some light preservation work. We are aiming to have a cartoon processed every 5 minutes, so time management is key. The goal is to make these collections accessible since they are currently under-described, which limits their educational and research value. This internship will provide hands-on archival experience in an academic library environment, and is generously funded by the TN250 program, which will highlight Tennessee as part of the celebration of America’s 250th anniversary.
Key Responsibilities
•Examine items and enter all appropriate metadata into a spreadsheet
•Conduct research with designated databases when needed
•Request materials through our request management system
•Folder, label and re-box items as needed
•Separate items with tissue paper to help preservation
•Attend meetings and take notes when needed
•Perform other duties as assigned by the supervisor
Qualifications
•Undergraduate or graduate students currently enrolled in or recently graduated from a relevant degree program
•Strong attention to detail and organization with a willingness to learn
•Ability to lift 30–40-pound boxes
•Excellent time management skills are a must
Benefits
•Hands-on archival experience
•Mentorship and professional development
•Potential academic credit (if applicable)