Paid Internship with the Black Metropolis Research Consortium

The Black Metropolis Research Consortium (BMRC) is an unincorporated Chicago-based association of libraries, universities, and other archival institutions with major holdings of materials that document African American and African Diaspora culture, history, and politics, with a specific focus on materials relating to Chicago. The University of Chicago serves as Host Institution to the BMRC.



The Council on Library and Information Resources (CLIR) has awarded a “Hidden Collections” processing grant to the Black Metropolis Research Consortium (BMRC) for the “Color Curtain Processing Project: Unveiling the Archives of Chicago's Black Metropolis”  (August 2011-December 2013.  The generosity of CLIR will enable the BMRC to process over 100 of its members' primary resource collections related to African American History, create EAD finding aids, and formally introduce undergraduate students to the archival profession.

Job responsibilities include:

• the ability work in a team and to follow directions, work quickly, and achieve goals under strict time constraints;
• Arrange and describe archival collections at select BMRC institutions;
• Participate in the evaluation of the "Color Curtain Processing Project: Unveiling the Archives of Chicago's Black Metropolis”;
• Contribute to the project blog;
• Create finding aids for collections.

Applicants must be a currently enrolled undergraduate student; possess a strong interest in history and/or archives and special collections; be available to work 20 hours a week; possess excellent organizational skills and the ability to achieve deadlines; be comfortable working independently and with a team; be capable of working for multiple supervisors and professionals in the archival, library and museum field; be willing to travel to any of the BMRC institutions participating in this project; be capable of lifting 40 pounds; and pass a background check

Compensation is $13.50/hr.

The BMRC/CLIR "Color Curtain Processing Project: Unveiling the Archives of Chicago's Black Metropolis” project will run through December 2013. Students will be hired to work from May 13, 2013 to December 13, 2013. The project team is based at the BMRC office on the University of Chicago campus in Hyde Park.

To Apply: Submit a resume, a letter of interest that includes availability/schedule information, a short writing sample, and complete contact information for two references to lcalahan@uchicago.edu with the subject line “Color Curtain Processing Project Undergraduate Student Application.” Your application will not be considered without these elements. *Application Deadline Monday, May 6, 2013.