With generous funding from the Mellon Foundation, the University of Washington Libraries is pleased to offer a 10-week summer internship open to qualified applicants. Individuals from historically underrepresented groups are encouraged to apply and affiliation with the University of Washington is not required.
Application deadline is Monday, February 3, 2025.
Overview and Application Deadline
The University of Washington Libraries is offering an internship for an individual with a demonstrated interest in the conservation of books and archival materials. The successful applicant will have the opportunity to develop their conservation treatment skills and portfolio using diverse special collections from the UW Libraries. Applicants are expected to be preparing for or enrolled in a graduate level conservation program. We are looking for interns who:
- Have good hand skills and attention to detail.
- Are interested in pursuing a career in the conservation of library materials.
- Have some previous experience with sewn book structures.
- Are actively preparing for or enrolled in a graduate level conservation program.
- Have a portfolio of work to share that includes examples of bookbinding, artwork or other hand crafts, and/or other conservation experiences.
This is a full-time (40 hours per week) summer program. The duration is 10 weeks, with exact dates to be arranged between June and September 2025. To ensure consideration, applications should be received no later than 5:00 pm (PST), Monday, February 3, 2025.
Activities and instruction
Working mainly under the supervision of the Senior Conservator of Books and Paper, the intern will have the opportunity to perform a range of conservation treatments on rare books, manuscripts, and other archival and special collections materials on paper. The intern will develop skills in treatment decision making, prepare condition and treatment reports with appropriate photo documentation, and gain additional experience in conservation treatment.
While the focus will be on the practical application of conservation techniques, preservation staff will also work with the applicant to develop future success in the field. Through guided treatment, general discussion, and selected readings, the applicant will develop a more in-depth understanding of the complex issues associated with the conservation and preservation of library materials. The intern will also have the opportunity to learn about other aspects of the work of the preservation department as desired. A discussion will take place before the internship to help align the projects to the intern’s skills and interests as much as possible.
The internship will be for a 10-week term and will be 75% treatment and 25% administrative (documentation and preventive conservation). The intern is required to give a final presentation on completed work.
Benefits and Stipend
The Conservation Intern will have the opportunity to strengthen an application to graduate-level conservation programs or, if already enrolled in a program, the internship will broaden and deepen skills in library materials conservation to better prepare them for future work in the conservation field. Additionally, this internship provides an $8,000 stipend.
The UW Libraries Preservation Department is located in Seattle, Washington. Interns may have the opportunity to visit other conservators and collection managers in nearby conservation labs and museums. For more information on Seattle, see the Visit Seattle website.
Application process
Interested applicants should submit the following as part of their application (a single PDF file is preferred):
- Cover letter outlining how the internship will help them meet their future goals
- Resumé including contact information for two appropriate references
Selected applicants will also be asked to submit a digital portfolio of work at a later date.
Apply Now! (Google account required)
For questions about this opportunity, please contact Leith Calcote (Senior Conservator) at [email protected] Applicants must be eligible to work in the United States and the University of Washington is unable to sponsor a visa for this internship. Completion of this internship does not lead to or entitle the applicant to a job with the University of Washington. Interns are responsible for making their own housing arrangements.