The college student internship program has been rapidly expanding over the past several years. Our goal is to provide undergraduate and graduate students with a meaningful educational experience that will be beneficial to both students and our organization.

Although the majority of our interns come from history programs, we have opportunities for students in a variety of disciplines including communications, library science, education, museum studies, art history, journalism, and marketing. Students are required to commit to a minimum of 100 hours during the term of their internship. Internships are voluntary and uncompensated by the library although many students use the opportunity to earn credit through their institutions. Housing is not provided, however we will put you in contact with relevant community resources. Interns may set a flexible work schedule within normal business hours which are 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Overall qualifications for interns include:

• Current enrollment in a 2 or 4-year degree program
• Good organizational skills
• Detail oriented
• Excellent communication skills
• Good writing skills are an essential part of the job function
• Ability to work independently and effectively given a limited time frame
• Ability to balance multiple tasks
• Dependable and punctual
• Basic computer skills

ARCHIVES UNIT INTERNSHIPS

This internship is designed to provide exposure to the archival profession, and specifically, the Harry S. Truman Library archives unit. Successful applicants will have the opportunity to work with original and unique historical documents, learning archival principals and practice while also increasing their research skills.

Duties assigned will involve the five basic archival functions: acquisition and appraisal, arrangements & description, preservation, reference, and outreach. Applicants should have solid research skills. HTML experience helpful but not required.

EDUCATION UNIT INTERNSHIPS

Interns would be assisting the education coordinator with development of educational materials for students in grades two through 12. In particular, help is needed to develop educational activities for the Library’s web site using the digitized archives from the Library. There is also a need for assistance with coordination of National History Day and other educational programs. HTML experience helpful.

MUSEUM UNIT INTERNSHIPS

This internship is designed to provide exposure to the museum profession through work in the Truman Library’s museum unit. Depending upon the applicant’s particular interests and skills, interns will assist the Library staff with exhibit research, design, and production and/or in various aspects of museum collection management. Duties can be as varied as researching and drafting exhibit labels and reference letters, performing basic preservation and artifact inventory tasks, photographing museum objects, or working with the Library’s computerized collection management database. Applicants should have solid research skills and basic computer skills. Specialized skills such as audiovisual systems maintenance or production, digital photography, or graphic design are particularly welcome, although not required.

VISITOR SERVICES UNIT INTERNSHIPS

Visitor Services encompasses several areas relating to the museum including tourism, marketing/advertising, gift shop/sales, and admissions. Interns would be assisting the visitor services/sales operations manager with development of advertising/marketing projects for the museum as well as tourism promotion. Help develop merchandise and assist in the operations of the retail store. Assist with various marketing, tourism, and visitor service projects, as well as regular operational duties of the department.

In addition to the above areas, opportunities may arise in other programs including the Truman Library Institute and administrative services. Internships are available throughout the year including Fall and Spring semesters and summer months. For these respective "semesters," applications need to be submitted by the following dates: Fall semester – August 15; Spring semester – December 15; Summer months – April 15. Personal interviews are scheduled after we have received the required paperwork, including copies of any writings, publications, lessons plans, current transcripts, etc. that you have created, and two personal references, one of which should be from a professor.

For further information or to request an application, please contact:

David Clark
Truman Library
500 West U.S. Highway 24
Independence, MO 64050
Phone: 816-268-8207
Fax: 816-268-8295
E-mail: david.clark@nara.gov