Written By: Kristina Gerhardt
During the spring semester of 2023, I had the opportunity to participate in the Legacy Internship for Collection Access and Management Services at California State University Northridge (CSUN). Though my current pathway is Archival Studies and Record Management, I have kept an open mind about where my library path could take me. Academic libraries have always appealed to me, which is one of the reasons I was interested in pursuing the internship.
The University Library at California State University Northridge – Source
Before this, I took the INFO 259 (Preservation Management). During the course, we had a project where we needed to contact an institution of our choice and work with a librarian to write a digital collections preservation policy. I decided to pick CSUN and was paired up with the metadata librarian there. I met with her and the digital collections librarian via Zoom several times to collaborate on my project. After completing the project, I contacted the metadata librarian and asked about internship opportunities. After applying, I waited about a month or so before receiving an email from the department chair stating that they would very much like me to intern with them. The metadata librarian I had worked with previously offered to be my supervisor, and we met a couple of times via Zoom to discuss what the internship would focus on and what times I was available.
The CAMS department entrance
The internship started at the end of January, and my main focus was working with the Black Lives Matter Protest digital collection. I was able learn and hone specific skills including applying appropriate metadata schemas, implementing digital project workflows, quality control, digital preservation management, and providing access using CONTENTdm. I also assisted with processing digital photos from the Farmworker Movement collection by utilizing Adobe Photoshop and Bridge.
In addition to these projects, I was able to explore the inner workings of the library which involved observing an instructional class while also learning what it takes to run the reference desk. I also attended meetings and collaborated with individuals in other departments, including Special Collections and the Bradley Center Archives. From the beginning I felt welcomed, supported, and part of the team. I am grateful to have had the opportunity to participate in this internship and eagerly look forward to what the future holds!
Workspace during the internship
Are you interested in being an intern at an academic library? Candidates who are interested in applying to the Legacy internship must be in good academic standing, be nearing completion of their degree, must have completed at least one course in the subject area of interest, have demonstrated interest in academic libraries, and have the ability to complete internship hours between 8:30 am and 5:00 pm, Monday through Friday. More information is available on the Legacy internship page.
