Special Collections Archival Intern

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 Americas 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 3040-pound boxes
Excellent time management skills are a must
Benefits
Hands-on archival experience
Mentorship and professional development
Potential academic credit (if applicable)