USF Libraries Internships

Project Description:

Development and documentation of a workflow for harvesting metadata records from the Scholars Open Repository at USF (SORA) using OAI-PMH standards and preparing records for inclusion in the Biodiversity Heritage Library (BHL). Evaluate metadata structures, test XML harvesting methods, document metadata mapping requirements, and assist in defining a workflow for processing content through the Internet Archive into BHL.

Special Skill Sets:

Interest in library and information science, digital humanities, biodiversity information cs, data management, or related fields. Strong analytical and written communication skills. Basic familiarity with XML, metadata, spreadsheets, or programming concepts is helpful but not required. No advanced programming experience required, though experience with Python, APIs, or XML is beneficial.

Project Description:

USF Libraries’ Special Collections is home to hundreds of historic maps and nautical charts documenting Florida’s landscapes and coastal waterways. These materials are invaluable resources for understanding the state’s natural environment and how it has changed over time. We are seeking an intern to assist in digitizing this unique collection and preparing it for use in an interactive web platform. Responsibilities will include scanning maps, image editing, metadata creation, georeferencing, and organizing collection materials to support long-term digital access and discovery.

Anticipated Outcomes/Benefits:

The intern will further develop and hone their GIS skills, with a specific emphasis on raster processing, manipulation, and hosting. In addition, the intern will have the opportunity to work in a collaborative space with many types of librarians and library staff to learn about different units of academic libraries.

Special Skill Sets:

Seeking a candidate with knowledge of the ArcGIS Pro software and an interest in historical research.

Project Description:

The Weekly Challenger is a newspaper documenting the history of St. Petersburg’s African American community from 1967 to the present day. The Nelson Poynter Memorial Library’s Special Collections & University Archives (SCUA) houses the paper’s physical collection of newspapers, photographs, and ephemera, as well as its digital archive on Digital Commons.

This internship aims to increase the visibility of the physical collection. The main goals are to:

• Process the unprocessed photographs and ephemera in the collection
• Rehouse materials into archival containers
• Create an updated finding aid for the full physical collection in ArchivesSpace

Anticipated Outcomes/Benefits:

• Gain hands-on experience working with archival collections in a variety of formats
• Learn standards and best practices for archival description and the preservation of cultural heritage materials
• Learn to use archival information management software (ArchivesSpace) to create finding aids and record collection information
• Become immersed in the day-to-day operations of a university archive

Other Requirements:

We are seeking a candidate with strong attention to detail and time management skills. This internship is best suited to an upper-level undergraduate or graduate student interested in the humanities and/or cultural heritage work.

Project Description:

The USF St. Petersburg campus has implemented a range of sustainability-focused projects funded by student initiatives over the past several years. Developing an archive that brings together (1) relevant datasets and (2) Associated archives and documentation is essential for assessing the outcomes of these initiatives. However, much of this data is not readily available despite a strong desire to make it openly accessible for integration into USF curricular and research activities across a range of disciplines.

Undergraduate students expressing interest in (1) Digital collections and archiving, or (2) Data collection, will engage in an experiential learning internship designed to develop digital collections relevant to USF St. Petersburg’s distinctive campus priorities.

Interns will develop skills and understanding necessary to successfully identify, compile, organize, and describe datasets and/or digital collections. Interns may choose to focus on developing digital collections comprised of (1) Student and other university publications, and (2) USF St. Petersburg digital archives such as student newspaper articles, or they may choose to focus on (3) Creation of baseline datasets relevant to local St. Petersburg campus initiatives (e.g., composting initiative, Rec Center bike datasets, SGEF archives, etc.).

Anticipated Outcomes/Benefits:

Upon completion of the fieldwork, the student will be able to:

• Differentiate between archival and non-archival information and datasets for long-term preservation
• Apply best practices for organizing and describing sustainability-related datasets and archives
• Create finding aids, exhibits, or other descriptive metadata that make datasets accessible and discoverable to the university community

Special Skill Sets:

• Some knowledge of USF St. Petersburg campus sustainability initiatives and/or involvement with student organizations is helpful
• Familiarity with Excel spreadsheets is preferred