Internship at the Smithsonian

Stephanie Christensen (Ogeneski)
Digital Imaging Manager
National Anthropological Archives
NMNH, Smithsonian Institution
301.238.1313 (phone)
301.238.2883 (fax)

Project Description: Digitization of Endangered Languages Manuscripts in the
National Anthropological Archives, Smithsonian Institution

The National Anthropological Archives is offering a paid internship in its
Digital Imaging Program during the summer of 2010. The NAA operates one of
the Smithsonian's most successful imaging programs, having produced more
than 100,000 high-resolution images of photographs and artwork from its
collections.

The National Anthropological Archives is the nation's principal repository
of original documentation for spoken, endangered and extinct Native American
languages. The NAA traces its origin to an 1879 Act of Congress creating an
official repository for documents concerning American Indians that were
collected by the Great Western Surveys of the United States. Approximately
250 American Indian languages are represented in the collection. For many of
these languages, scholarly linguistic documentation exists nowhere else.
Many of the materials in this collection are threatened by the deterioration
of the paper substrate and by damage from repeated handling. The
preservation of at-risk items and digitization for online access will
broaden access to endangered language materials with unparalleled research
value and cultural relevance.

Under the supervision our the Digital Imaging Manager, the intern will gain
hands-on experience in the technical aspects of digital image creation
(flatbed scanning and overhead digital camera capture) while learning about
imaging standards, image data and its preservation and storage, technical
and embedded metadata, digital asset management, and project management.
Specific tasks include scanning with flatbed and /or digital camera capture;
copying files to an external server for backup; maintaining records of
imaging projects in the archives' databases; and creating multi-page pdfs.
The imaging intern will also assist in making digital images accessible
through SIRIS (the Smithsonian's online catalog) and the world wide web.

Qualifications: Graduates, undergraduates, or recent graduates in archives
or
imaging programs who are interested in digital technologies as applied to
archival care and management of historical collections.

Stipend: Yes

Deadline: March 1

The internship is located at the National Anthropological Archives,
Smithsonian Institution Museum Support Center (MSC), 4210 Silver Hill Road,
Suitland, MD 20746. Please submit a cover letter describing your
qualifications and interest, a resume, and three references to Stephanie
Christensen at: christensens@si.edu