Fall 2024 Library and Archives (Paid) Intern

Applications are only accepted online via our career page: Countrymusichalloffame.org/careers. 

For application deadlines and internship dates, please visit: Countrymusichalloffame.org/support/get-involved/internships.

Museum Overview: Located in the heart of downtown Nashville, the Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum documents and interprets the history of country music—a musical genre and culture central to the identity of the city, the state, and the nation. Accredited by the American Alliance of Museums, the Museum proudly combines subject expertise, ambitious research, and preservation of an unparalleled collection with expressions of creativity in music, art, and history. The Museum collects artifacts that illustrate the evolving history and traditions of country music and provides diverse learning opportunities through educational programs, publications, and exhibitions. The core exhibit follows the story of country music from its folk beginnings through its evolution as a commercial art form. Rotating exhibits examine a broad range of topics, from country classics to contemporary and emerging artists in American Currents. The Museum owns Hatch Show Print, a letterpress print shop opened in 1879, and it operates Historic RCA Studio B, where Elvis Presley and many others recorded.

Internship Program Overview: The Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum offers paid internships to full-time college students (undergraduate and graduate) that advance the educational goals of the intern and help to promote the Museum’s mission. The Museum’s internship program offers work-based learning opportunities that introduce college students to museum-related careers and other professions found in large cultural organizations. Internships are designed for a maximum commitment of 25 hours per week for 12 weeks with consideration given to individual university requirements. Additional adjustments to the 12-week, 25-hour schedule will be at the discretion of the internship supervisor. Educational programs which operate on a quarterly basis may be accommodated. Motivated students who are seeking hands-on experiences in a team-oriented environment will find excellent opportunities at the Museum.

The application process for prospective interns includes the submission of:

• An online application for the specific internship you are applying for via our internal hiring system
• A resume
• A one-page cover letter; it is recommended that your cover letter explain how your education and experience will contribute positively to this internship and how this internship relates to your academic pursuits and/or career goals.
   

What We Offer Interns:

• The hourly rate for this position is $15/hr. for students pursuing a bachelor's degree; $18/hr. for students pursuing a master's degree or higher
• Free 24/7 downtown parking or WeGo bus pass
• Complimentary admission to the Museum for yourself
• Two complimentary Museum admission passes for friends and family use
• Free guided tour of Hatch Show Print, Historic RCA Studio B, and the Museum’s galleries
• Discounts at Museum stores and restaurants
• Free or discounted entry to local venues including: National Museum of African American Music, the Opry, Ryman Auditorium, and more!
• Fun, friendly, and supportive learning environment
   

Field Forward Stipend: Field Forward is a living and relocation stipend, offered to select candidates in addition to the paid internship, that supports students who identify as traditionally underrepresented in cultural arts careers and students with demonstrated financial need. Field Forward’s goals are to encourage diverse student engagement with the Museum and the broader museum field and to promote educational and professional experience and training to students historically underrepresented in museum and other cultural arts professions. Students must submit an additional application and demonstrate financial need (if applicable) to be considered. To learn more, including important deadlines, please visit: Countrymusichalloffame.org/support/get-involved/internships.
 

Departmental Overview: In direct support of the mission statement of the Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum, the Museum Services Division preserves and protects the Museum’s collections using best practices, while incorporating emerging technologies to provide access to these collections. Within Museum Services are teams of registrars, collection specialists, librarians, archivists, exhibit managers, and curators.

Library and Archives Internship Overview:  Library and Archive internships are designed for a maximum commitment of 25 hours per week for 12 weeks with consideration given to individual university requirements. The supervisor and intern will schedule internship hours during available working hours (Monday-Thursday, 9:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. CT). Additional adjustments to this schedule will be at the discretion of the internship supervisor. 

The Library and Archives intern will work closely with the staff to assist with the processing and/or digitizing of materials to ensure preservation and greater access to the Museum’s collections. The collections include manuscript and print materials, sound recordings, video, film, photographs, and oral history interviews. The goal of the internship is to understand the different roles and duties within an archive, learn the necessary skills to prepare archival collections for research purposes, and to gain experience working with varied archival materials.

Prior to the start of this internship, Library and Archives staff will meet with the intern to assess goals and further focus internship duties to include skills most applicable to the intern’s educational objectives, as well as most beneficial to the collection’s needs at that time.
 

Specific Internship Duties:

• Process archival collection materials
• Create finding aids or descriptive metadata
• Upload content into digital asset management software
• Label and rehouse collection materials
• Assist with collection maintenance
   

Requirements

Minimum Requirements:

• Working toward a master’s degree or higher in library and information science, public history, museum studies, history, or another related field

Preferred Requirements:

• Experience handling fragile and rare archival materials
• Experience processing archival collections
• Experience digitizing archival materials in various formats
• Knowledge of CONTENTdm or similar digital asset management software
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word and Excel
• Ability to produce accurate and consistent work
• Ability to communicate clearly and concisely, both verbally and in writing
• Ability to self-motivate and work independently on projects, as well as to collaborate with a team to achieve long-term goals
• Basic knowledge of country music history, or willingness to learn

Conditions of Internship:

• Lift 25 lbs. or less
• Internship must be completed for course credit
   

Note to Applicant:

Please upload a resume and cover letter when applying for this position.

The Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum is an equal opportunity employer. We respect the varied attributes, characteristics, and perspectives that make each person unique, and we believe that fostering a culture of inclusion is essential to institutional excellence. The Museum promotes an environment of respect, communication, and understanding, while actively seeking opportunities to learn about and establish practices that further facilitate equity. The Museum does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth and related medical conditions), national origin, political affiliation, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, genetic information or characteristics, age, membership in an employee organization, military or veteran status, or other non-merit factor. The Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum does not tolerate discrimination or harassment based on any of these characteristics.

We are a drug-free workplace and an equal opportunity employer that welcomes all qualified candidates to apply for open positions. The Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum is committed to providing a safe and secure environment for its staff and visitors. All offers of employment are subject to and contingent upon the successful completion of a background check and employment verification, including federally mandated E-verify processes, as required for position.

Due to the high volume of applications received for internships, hiring managers may only contact you if they are interested in scheduling an interview. Please refrain from calling to inquire about your status in the search.

Visit Countrymusichalloffame.org/support/get-involved/internships for further details about the application process, including important deadlines.

Applications are only accepted online on our career page: Countrymusichalloffame.org/careers.