The Center for Digital Research and Scholarship (CDRS) at Columbia University seeks detail-oriented library school interns with excellent communication skills who are interested in learning about current issues in institutional repositories, scholarly communication, copyright, emerging digital publishing practices, and digital A/V creationand archiving.
Existing networks and new technologies present a host of opportunities and challenges for the scholarly communication system, and libraries are at the forefront of creating new modes to address the changing environment in which scholarship and research is produced, with groups like CDRS playing a key role. Interns in this position will have the opportunity to explore first-hand effective systems for creating, disseminating, and preserving digital scholarly content. No prior experience is required.
These internships are unpaid and require a semester-long commitment. Only currently enrolled students are eligible for consideration.
Internship Site
Center for Digital Research and Scholarship
Columbia University Libraries/Information Services
201 Lehman Library
International Affairs Building
410 West 118th Street
New York, NY 10027
Internship Assignment
With the guidance of the Centerʼs Digital Repository Manager, Scholarly Communication Program Head, Communication Coordinator, Production Manager, and Video Services Manager, and with consultative input from the Director of the Copyright Advisory Office, interns will support copyright clearance, metadata creation, and editorial and production work at CDRS.
Based on their interests, interns can focus in one of four areas: social media and outreach, scholarly publishing and production, video production and preservation, or institutional research repositories and data management. Depending on the area of focus, primary responsibilities will include:
• Evaluation of copyright and permissions statuses of materials slated foronline distribution as part of projects undertaken by CDRS or for deposit in Columbiaʼs research repository, Academic Commons
• Research on institutional repository practices and technologies and draftingof text for the Academic Commons website
• Creation of test cases and user interviews, and quality assurance/testing ofuser interfaces, permissions tools, and content-access systems withinAcademic Commons and other CDRSʼ projects
• Drafting/editing of text for the CDRS website and for marketing/educationalmaterials about the work of the Center
• Simple production duties for CDRSʼ journal and conference projects
• Creation of metadata for items deposited in Academic Commons and forother projects as needed
• Use of social media platforms to promote Columbia-created research andthe activities of CDRS, to engage the community, and to enhance partnerrelationships
• Simple video production duties for CDRSʼ video services team
• Regular consultation with and reporting to supervisors and appropriate staffmembers on tasks, processes, and outcomes
Professional Interactions
Through daily or weekly work, the interns will communicate with CDRS staff members, the Copyright Advisory Office, other employees at Columbia University Libraries/Information Services, and with Columbia faculty, students, scholars, andalumni/ae whose materials the intern handles.
Professional Development
Depending on their chosen area of focus, the interns will receive training and hands-on experience in practices associated with the management of digital repositories; in the production of online journals, conferences, and websites; in the recording, post production, and preservation of digital video; and/or in the use of social media to enhance the scholarly communication process; and/or in issues such as open access and copyright.
Primary Site Supervisor
Digital Repository Manager, CDRS
Timeframe
The duration of this unpaid internship is one semester, either during the Fall, Spring, orSummer sessions.Schedule10–15 hours per week.
Compensation
This is an unpaid internship.
To Apply
For consideration for the coming Spring semester, please e-mail your resume and cover letter to: [email protected] by December 7 extended to December 10, 2012. Please identify a primary (and, if you wish, a secondary) focus area in your letter, and explain why that area is of particular interest to you.