Library Preservation Intern

The Position

Job Title: James Leland Dirks Jr. Library Preservation Intern

Location/Department: Preservation Services- Seattle

Rate: $22.37/hr

Hours: 8-12 hours; Monday-Friday between 8:00 a.m-4:30 p.m.

Positions available: 1

Date posted: August 20, 2026

Closing date: September 20, 2026

Start date: October 5, 2026 (negotiable)

Duties

The University of Washington Libraries is offering an internship for a graduate student in the UW iSchool with an interest in preservation. Throughout the 2026-27 school year, the intern will have the opportunity to develop a range of preservation skills and work alongside Preservation staff.

While the focus of the internship is on the practical application of preservation strategies, staff also work with the applicant to ensure they have a foundational theoretical understanding of preservation in an academic library setting. Through selected readings and general discussion, the applicant will develop an in-depth understanding of the complex issues associated with the preservation of library materials.

The intern will participate in a number of preservation activities including collections care and handling, commercial binding, disaster planning, environmental monitoring, digitization, outreach, media preservation, and digital preservation.

A portion of the intern’s time will be reserved for an independent project to gain real-world experience with a Preservation issue that is of interest. The intern will also give a summary presentation to library staff at the conclusion of the internship.

Required Qualifications

• Graduate student at the UW iSchool available to work onsite in Seattle.
• Interest in the preservation of library materials in a range of formats (books and paper, film, video, audio, digital, photographs, etc.).
• Demonstrated commitment to serving a diverse group of users, staff, and collections.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Excellent attention to detail.

Desired Qualifications

• Experience working independently and collaboratively.
• Basic computer fluency, including experience with Microsoft office suite software (Excel, Word) and cloud-based alternatives (Google Docs, Sheets).
• Previous experience working in a library, archive, museum or similar institution.
• Experience searching library catalogs and databases.

How to Apply

Please submit a cover letter, resume, and at least 2 references in a single, multi-page PDF document.

Please name your file using the following format, filling in bracketed information as appropriate:
[LastNameFirstName]-DirksInternship.pdf

In your cover letter, please discuss your interest in the preservation of library materials, including any related experience or education (formal or informal), as well as any other pertinent information you wish to share in relation to other required or preferred qualifications.