Northern Arizona University’s Cline Library invites applications for the 2024 Elizabeth M. and P. T. Reilly Internship. The intern will work closely with Special Collections and Archives (SCA) staff to develop an exhibit that explores the relationship between forests, forestry, and the city of Flagstaff, Arizona. The Reilly internship is an opportunity for the intern to research, design, and create both a physical display and a virtual online exhibit, to open and launch in October 2024. 

Duties and Responsibilities

• The Reilly intern, with the support of site supervisors and other SCA staff, will conduct research utilizing primary and secondary sources to identify the exhibit themes and topics and to focus the exhibit narrative.
• The intern will then select images from SCA holdings and create accompanying interpretive text narratives. Image selections will primarily be made from collections material readily available online in the Colorado Plateau Digital Collections. Depending on the images selected, the intern may have an opportunity to research and improve descriptive metadata for those featured in the exhibit.
• The Reilly intern will assume primary responsibility for the virtual exhibit, which will be developed using WordPress, bearing in mind that past online exhibits are preserved for long-term online enjoyment. The virtual exhibit will be developed by the intern in tandem with the physical exhibit, utilizing content across both.
• The intern will also provide significant support for the development of the physical exhibit, from its interpretive panels and labels to its layout, design, and fabrication.
• They will be expected to prepare a short work plan for how the physical exhibit will be arranged. A more comprehensive workplan detailing physical exhibit layout will be created collaboratively with SCA staff by the end of the internship in preparation for exhibit installation.
• This internship supports NAU’s 100% Career Ready strategic initiative and recognizes the importance of the eight NACE career readiness competencies. By collaborating closely with SCA staff to conceptualize and execute the virtual exhibit, the 2024 Reilly intern will establish collegial relationships with information professionals.
• The intern will gain skills in clear, organized, written and verbal communication to report findings to SCA staff and successfully manage the development of the virtual exhibit. In conducting research for the exhibit, the intern will employ critical thinking strategies to gather and analyze information from diverse sources, including archival collections, published materials, and other resources held by SCA and Cline Library.
• The intern will be expected to demonstrate dependability, prioritize and complete assigned work tasks, and show attention to detail in all work products.

Preferred Qualifications

• Demonstrated interest in learning about or experience with web design or virtual exhibit tools such as WordPress, Wix, Weebly, Omeka, etc.
• Interest or coursework in environmental sciences, information science, history, forestry, geography, or related fields.
• Knowledge of or interest in the human and natural history of the Colorado Plateau, forestry, wildland-urban interface, or Arizona and Southwest history.
• Experience with or interest in conducting research using primary source materials and archival collections, curatorial work, and/or exhibit development.
• Excellent written and verbal communication and active listening skills.

Application deadline: March 18, 2024. 

For more information and to apply, please visit this link. 

(Edited to update the application link and deadline.)