Tag: University Library

Project Description:

Leyburn Library seeks students interested in institutional history research opportunities for the summer of 2024. Working collaboratively, the Library and W&L students have begun building research portals and digital exhibits on major themes in the history of W&L. This work involves digging into archival material in Special Collections, processing it to make it available digitally, and interpreting the material for a public audience. This summer we will be focusing on the topics of Athletics, Environment Grounds & Buildings, Military life & Veterans (post-WWII), Latino, Latinas history & presence, Native American history & presence, and/or Scotch-Irish Founders. Students will gain experience in library and archival research skills, specifically digitization, metadata, digital exhibit creation, oral histories, digital scholarship, and public history. Students interested in careers in libraries/information science, cultural heritage, public history, museums, education, or creative fields are encouraged to apply.

Prerequisites

No prerequisites, but coursework in History or DCI or research experience in Special Collections is valuable.

Special Comments

Students will be expected to serve as mentors for AIM program. Due to the hands-on nature of working with archival material, students should plan to be in Lexington for the duration of their summer research time.

Project Information

Estimated Start Date: 6/3/2024

Estimated End Date: 8/9/2024

Maximum number of students sought: 2

Contact Information: Profs. Mackenzie Brooks (brooksm@wlu.edu) and Paula Kiser (kiserp@wlu.edu)

Project Description:

This project is a continuation of work that began last summer with the Henry Strouss Performing Arts Collection Description Project. This collection is approximately 35 linear feet and spread over approximately 60 boxes that contain a wide array of topics related to the performing arts including but not limited to theater, orchestral, opera, dance, choral performances. The SRS student(s) selected for this project will work closely with Mattie Clear, Archivist, and Kim Sims, Associate University Librarian, to continue the work necessary to preserve and make this collection accessible according to archival standards. More information about the collection and what has already been completed is available at – https://www.archivesspace.wlu.edu/repositories/5/resources/1140.

Prerequisites

While it is not required, it is strongly encouraged that the SRS student(s) helping with this project have experience with or an appreciation of the performing arts. This project requires a base knowledge of concepts within this realm and the ability to complete research to better understand the materials they will be describing. It is important to consider not only the items themselves, but also how researchers may use the collection in the future and what information would be most helpful to those researchers.

Special Comments

Project Information

Estimated Start Date: 6/10/2024

Estimated End Date: 8/16/2024

Maximum number of students sought: 1

Contact Information: Profs. Mattie Clear (mclear@wlu.edu) and Kim Sims (ksims@wlu.edu)

Project Description:

The goal of this project is to use Geographic Information System software (ArcGIS) to create an online interactive map of the back campus, which will include 360 degree photos that showcase the different areas of the back campus. This project involves education and utilization of advanced GIS software mechanics, including applying LIDAR scans of the back campus. The map will display all trails, the gazebo, and the disc golf course. The map would provide better exposure for the various opportunities the back offers.

Prerequisites

Special Comments

The student will need to apply themselves to learning the ArcGIS software.

Project Information

Estimated Start Date: 6/3/24

Estimated End Date: 7/12/24

Maximum number of students sought: 1

Contact Information: Prof. John Tombarge (tombargej@wlu.edu)

Project Description:

This summer research project explores the reasons why librarians, especially people of color and with other minoritized identities, choose a career in libraries. Students will participate in five activities: 1: Structured readings about librarianship as a career choice in order to contribute to an ongoing annotated bibliography. 2: Informational interviews and/or shadowing experiences with W&L librarians, W&L alumni working in libraries, and librarians across the country including in public, school, academic, and special libraries. 3: Participation in library professional development activities, including the possibility of travel to a professional conference, alongside W&L librarians. 4: Data collection and analysis for studies on topics of recruitment and retention of librarians, including student awareness of librarianship as a career. 5: Reflective practice intended to explore the Scholar’s career goals in the context of the summer research. Past participants created a student survey to assess awareness of librarianship as a career, explored topics including anti-racist collection development and work-life balance, created an employment website for the libraries, attended a professional conference, and connected with librarians across Virginia.

Prerequisites

An interest in exploring librarianship as a career (though not necessarily for oneself). Experience with literature-based and social science research is helpful. Some familiarity with library work, either from work or volunteering is helpful.

Special Comments

Start and end dates are flexible. While the scholars should be on campus, much of the research and reflective work can happen independently. Informational interviews and structured reading discussions may happen in person or virtually depending on the people involved. There may be some field trips to regional libraries.

Project Information

Estimated Start Date: 6/4/24

Estimated End Date: 8/9/24

Maximum number of students sought: 2

Contact Information: Prof. K.T. Vaughan (kvaughan@wlu.edu)