Intern with Research & Reference Services at The Mary Baker Eddy Library. As part of our team of professional researchers and archivists, you’ll support our efforts to provide access to original historical materials and answer research questions for people around the world. This internship is designed for an individual interested in history, library science, or museum work. Our subject matter includes Mary Baker Eddy’s life, ideas, and achievements, as well as the history of the Christian Science movement from its 19th-century beginnings to the present day.
Opportunities include:
Learning about the life of Mary Baker Eddy, the history of the Christian Science movement, and 19th- and 20th-century American history
Learning how to conduct original historical research utilizing documents and databases
Gaining experience in customer service by working with patrons to answer their historical inquiries
Sharpening communications skills by responding to inquiries on phone and email
Assisting with the more complex research requirements of the Library’s fellows and internal inquirers
Interns may also have the opportunity to collaborate with archivists on our Special Collections team, assisting with special projects on tasks such as performing data entry; reviewing and updating finding aids; and updating transcriptions. They’ll learn about using historical materials, including how to utilize archival materials; how archival materials are organized; how databases are used in archival and library collections; and how these activities support the Library’s efforts to make information more accessible to researchers.
Desired Qualifications:
Knowledge of and interest in American history, women’s history, religious history or the history of the Christian Science movement
Good attention to detail and strong organizational skills
Strong writing, editing, and proofreading skills
A team player who is also responsible and independent
Enthusiastic desire to interact with the public