WORK WITH US
DIGITAL PROJECTS ASSISTANT
Job Purpose:
The Digital Projects Assistant position is a five-week, onsite, paid summer internship at the Congregational Library & Archives (CLA) in Boston, Massachusetts. The Digital Projects Assistant will work with the Archivist and Project Director for NEHH to digitize manuscript sermons from the period of the American Revolution as part of the CLA’s New England’s Hidden Histories project (NEHH). The Digital Projects Assistant will also be responsible for the upload of content to the digital asset management system, and the creation of item-level metadata for digital objects.
This internship is funded through a grant from Atla, which provides resources, collaboration opportunities, and research tools to promote worldwide scholarly communication in religion and theology. This is a part-time internship (approximately 4 days/28 hours per week for 5 weeks).
The compensation is $21.35/hour based on 140 hours of work. This position provides no other benefits. The internship begins July 7, 2025, and ends August 8, 2025.
Job Duties and Responsibilities:
Under the direction of the Archivist and Project Director for NEHH at the Congregational Library & Archives, the Digital Projects Assistant will support the project through the digitization of eighteenth-century manuscript materials.
The Digital Projects Assistant will:
digitize a variety of materials with a flatbed scanner.
perform quality control on digitized items.
maintain digital files, ensure correct and consistent file naming and prepare digital files for accessibility.
upload digital files to Quartex, a cloud-based digital asset management system.
create unique item-level metadata for digital objects using a customized metadata schema based on the Dublin Core and Metadata Object Description Schemas.
publish online collection pages to the digital archive.
create MARC records for digital collections within Liberty 5, the CLA’s online catalog.
contribute to the success of Congregational Library & Archives by performing all other duties as assigned.
Hours must be worked between 9 am and 4 pm, Monday through Friday. There can be some flexibility in the work schedule, with the Digital Projects Assistant working four days per week as their schedule allows for five weeks. The work location is the Congregational Library & Archives, 14 Beacon Street in Boston, Massachusetts.
Preferred Qualifications:
Must be currently enrolled in or recently graduated from an American Library Association (ALA) accredited program (or equivalent) or certification from the Academy of Certified Archivists. MLIS preferred.
Applicants should also have:
experience digitizing diverse media types or working on a digital project.
experience using Microsoft Excel and digital image editing software.
experience handling archival collections in various conditions.
experience learning new technology and software.
strong attention to detail.
familiarity with metadata.
the ability to successfully perform routine and repetitive tasks.
the ability to lift and carry up to 50 pounds.
the ability to stand for several hours at a time.
the ability to communicate instructions clearly.
the ability to learn work processes quickly.
the ability to adapt easily to changing priorities and task assignments.
Familiarity with 18th-century handwriting is a plus but not required.
Working Conditions:
Work is normally performed in a typical interior/office work environment. Must be able to work in an office setting where the temperature is set to a constant 68⁰F.
Applicants must have the ability to climb one to two flights of stairs.
Work requires frequent exposure to dust and potential exposure to mold.
Work requires moderate physical activity, handling of average-weight objects up to 50 pounds, and some standing or walking.
To Apply:
The application deadline is Friday, June 27, 2025.
Please send a cover letter and resume in one PDF by email with the subject “Digital Projects Assistant internship” to Dr. Tricia Peone, New England’s Hidden Histories Project Director, Congregational Library & Archives tpeone@14beacon.org.
About the Congregational Library & Archives:
The Congregational Library & Archives (CLA) is an independent research library located in Boston, Massachusetts. Established in 1853, CLA is a repository for some 225,000 books, pamphlets, periodicals, and manuscripts documenting the development and growth of the Congregational tradition in the United States as well as Canada and Great Britain. The CLA’s mission is to foster deeper understanding of the spiritual, intellectual, cultural, and civic dimensions of the Congregational story and its ongoing relevance in the 21st century by collecting and sharing materials and by actively engaging with, among others, scholars and the general public.
The Congregational Library & Archives encourages and welcomes diversity throughout the organization. The CLA does not discriminate and protects against harassment based on race, color, national origin, religion, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, disability, veteran status, marital status, or any other characteristic protected by law. The CLA employs people based on ability, experience, education, and character.
The CLA’s policy applies to all aspects of employment, including recruitment, hiring, retention, promotion, compensation and benefits, working conditions, performance evaluation, professional development, disciplinary action, and termination.