Library of Congress Internship (LOCI) Spring 2025
Job Description
Please apply through our portal here!
The Library of Congress is an agency of the legislative branch of the U.S. government that occupies three buildings on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. The Library encompasses several integral service units and employs over 3,000 permanent staff members. The Library of Congress is the largest library in the world, with millions of books, recordings, photographs, newspapers, maps and manuscripts in its collections. The Library is the main research arm of the U.S. Congress and the home of the U.S. Copyright Office. The Library preserves and provides access to a rich, diverse and enduring source of knowledge to inform, inspire and engage you in your intellectual and creative endeavors. Learn more about the Library of Congress at loc.gov.
Program Description
This full-time and fully-funded internship with America's library provides unprecedented access to the Library of Congress' world-class collections and staff. These opportunities include a wide range of applied learning and career development placements that advance the academic and professional pursuits of undergraduate and graduate students.
These programs also engage inspired learners who are interested in working alongside Library of Congress employees to further the mission of the nation's oldest cultural agency and provide Congress and the American people with a rich, diverse, and enduring source of knowledge for the posterity of all. Your career can find a launching pad in the world’s largest library.
A key goal of this internship program is to support the Library in expanding internship applicants from Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Hispanic-Serving Institutions, Tribal Colleges and Universities, and Asian American and Pacific Islander Serving Institutions. The LOC Internship Program is specifically designed to equip college students and recent graduates from populations typically underrepresented and encourages them to apply.
Eligibility
To be eligible to participate you must meet the following criteria:
- Be a U.S. citizen or a permanent resident (I-151 or I-551). Individuals on temporary visas are not eligible. Additionally, individuals must be authorized or eligible to work in the United States by law.
- Be enrolled in a degree-seeking program (AA/AS, BA/BS, Masters, JD, MD, or Ph.D.) at an accredited higher education institution during the internship, OR recent graduate of an institution described above, who graduated no more than one year prior to the start date of the internship.
- Have completed their freshman year of college before the internship begins.
- Have a minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
- Be able to work full-time (40 hours per week) for the duration of the internship. Negotiation of hours to part-time is not possible. Please only apply if you know that you can handle a full-time work schedule on top of any other responsibilities.
- Have a confirmed interest in working with the Library of Congress.
- Reside within the United States throughout the entire duration of the internship (if virtual).
Program Components
The Library of Congress Internships (LOCI) program is a 10-week Summer or 15-week Spring or Fall program in which you will work full-time, five days a week, assisting with a variety of projects assigned by your internship mentor. Assignments will span many professional fields at the Library, including, but not limited to:
- Information Technology/Computer Science
- Business Administration/Human Capital
- Event Planning
- Communications
- Library Science
- Museum Studies/Collections Support and Research
- History/Anthropology/Archaeology
- International Affairs/Political Science/Area Studies
Interested in hearing accounts from former participants of the LOCI program? Read one of our own TWC intern spotlights to get behind-the-scenes insight!
Program Benefits
This is a fully funded program. Sponsorship covers the cost of the program, housing (if needed/when in-person is available), and roundtrip travel to and from the internship site city. You will be responsible for living expenses and local transportation. However, a stipend of $4,500-$11,000 will be provided to help alleviate these expenses. The final stipend amount is based on the length of the session and your decision to accept or reject TWC-organized housing.
In addition, various professional development sessions will be available to enhance students’ knowledge and marketability. The Washington Center organizes multiple hands-on experiences to prepare you for your career including Resume Review & Cover Letter Writing, LinkedIn Review, and Interviewing & Pitching Yourself. TWC also organizes networking opportunities during your internship and has highly active alumni networks of which you will be a part. The Library of Congress also prides itself on providing interns with additional professional development opportunities including Employee Panels and explorative tours of the Library of Congress.
Housing and Living
Fully furnished housing near the internship site is provided by TWC for interns who are selected for on-site or hybrid positions. Housing accommodations can, and typically do, require shared-living arrangements with other interns. Every effort is made to arrange housing near essential amenities like grocery stores, public transit and medical facilities.
Interns with on-site or hybrid positions can choose not to use the TWC provided housing. Instead, you may take the portion of the stipend reserved for housing and use that to acquire your own housing.
Academic Credit
You may be eligible to receive academic credit for your participation in this program. However, credits are determined and awarded by each university. You are responsible for arranging any academic credit through your college or university. You should discuss arrangements with your institution, prior to starting the program and let TWC know the specific requirements of your university.
Dates and Deadlines
Spring 2025 (Virtual, hybrid and in-person positions)
- Applications Accepted: August 8, 2024 – October 7, 2024, at 11:59 p.m. ET (priority deadline September 23, 2024 at 11:59 p.m. ET)
- Decision Notifications: Mid December 2024 (Applicants are notified when they are selected for interviews until all positions are filled or until mid December)
- Program Dates: January 27, 2025 – May 9, 2025 (subject to change)
Please reach out to federal@twc.edu if you have any questions.
How to Apply - Official Portal
Please follow the Application Instructions to ensure proper completion of the application. Proper completion is critical to your application being considered for review.
Application Documents:
You need to submit the following documents along with your application:
- Resume: Submit a max 2-page resume in PDF format reflecting relevant work experience, volunteerism, awards, leadership, extra-curricular activities, research, and academic experiences. Your resume must include your GPA and your current contact information including email address, home address and telephone number.
- Transcript: Both unofficial and official transcripts are accepted. Please ensure that your Social Security Number is crossed out on the submitted document.
- Cover Letter: Submit a cover letter (one page maximum, single-spaced, 12-point Times New Roman font, standard margins, PDF format) that addresses your specific interest in interning with the Library of Congress, along with what skills and experiences you have that make you a unique candidate. Rather than repeating your resume, you should describe why you want to intern at the Library of Congress, what skills and knowledge you have that has prepared you for this opportunity and what you hope to gain from this experience.
- Proof of Citizenship or Permanent Residency: Proof of Citizenship includes either a scan of your U.S. passport, U.S. birth certificate or certificate of naturalization. Proof of permanent residency (I-151 or I-551) includes Permanent Resident Card (green card), form I-551 front and back, or foreign passport with I-551 stamp or MRIV.