Smithsonian Libraries Kathryn Turner Diversity and Technology Internship

Description

KATHRYN TURNER DIVERSITY AND TECHNOLOGY INTERNSHIP
SMITHSONIAN LIBRARIES
WASHINGTON, DC

The Smithsonian Libraries is pleased to offer the Kathryn Turner Diversity and Technology Internship for the summer of 2017. This full-time, 10-12 week program allows a student with a background in computer science to sharpen his/her skills and gain real world experience in the largest museum library system in the world.

The theme of this year’s project is “ENHANCING LIBRARY METADATA”. The intern will help investigate and experiment with a method of creating a filter-by-color in the Smithsonian Libraries Image Gallery. An algorithm will be researched or developed to detect the predominant color on an image that will be added to the existing metadata for the image. This process will then be included in our existing workflow for new images in the Image Gallery. If time permits, a second phase of the internship will be to extract and transform transcriptions from the SI Transcription Center to prepare and include them in our Digital Library website.

The intern will learn and gain experience in a production environment with all the complexities it contains. The intern will have the opportunity to learn about narrow-scope software development as well as learn how to enhance large datasets with additional metadata for improved search results and user experience. The intern will also be able to collaborate side by side with experienced professionals in multiple disciplines.

This opportunity with the Smithsonian Libraries will be located in Washington, DC, in the National Museum of Natural History (10th Street and Constitution Ave, NW).

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

This paid internship program is open to United States citizens (or permanent residents) who are currently enrolled in bachelor’s level program at an accredited institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education, or those who have graduated in the past six months.

APPLICATION MATERIALS

* Application
* Resume detailing your experience, career interests and internship goals
* Unofficial Academic Transcriptions from all colleges/universities attended
* Academic Essay: two pages describing how academic goals, qualifications and career aspirations relate to the internship at Smithsonian Libraries
* Two letters of professional or academic recommendation

All applications must be submitted through the Smithsonian Online Academic Appointment system: https://solaa.si.edu

Applicants should be sure to choose "Smithsonian Institution Libraries" as the unit, "Kathryn Turner Diversity and Technology Internship" as the program.

PAYMENT

Interns may receive up to $500 per week, which is awarded to the student as a stipend. Internships are full time (35 hours per week) for 10-12 weeks. Interns are not eligible for Smithsonian or Federal transportation benefits.

SCHEDULE

Applications close April 2nd, 2017 (extended from March 12th, 2017). Applicants should expect to be notified of selection status in early April. Internships are generally performed for 10-12 full weeks during the summer. Internships typically begin in early June, though exact dates are flexible, depending on project and supervisor.

Further inquiries about Smithsonian Libraries Internships should be directed to Erin Clements Rushing (rushinge@si.edu).

Additional information about the Libraries internship program may be found online: http://library.si.edu/internships-and-fellowships