So, last spring, I applied for a summer internship at the UVA library. It sounded exactly like the kind of thing I would love. Surrounded by books all day, learning about how to be a librarian, that kind of thing. Pure heaven for a book lover.
I read the application and it specifically said they were looking for more diverse and preferably male citizens. I am a white female, but I applied anyway because it sounded like a great opportunity. Flash forward a few months, and I got in! To be perfectly honest, I kind of forgot about the UVA library internship, so I was thrilled to find out that I’d been accepted. The first day, I met the other interns and was assigned to the Small Special Collections library. The four other interns were all wonderful and we bonded quickly, all having a mutual interest in libraries and books. UVA has many different libraries around campus, including Alderman, Clemons, Brown, and the Small Special Collections library. I was assigned to Special Collections, and after getting lost a couple of times, I found it. The building’s mostly underground because they need room for all of the documents and books being held there, but they didn’t want to take up too much space above ground. (see below for more information from Penny White, Special Collections reference librarian) I honestly had no idea what to expect when I walked in. I knew that Special Collections was UVA’s collection of rare books and things, but that was the extent of my knowledge. I was greeted with open arms and a team of enthusiastic underground librarians who all loved their job. The things I saw while interning there were amazing, and I constantly had an open-mouthed expression on my face. I saw documents written by, signed, and held by Thomas Jefferson himself, including his will, the first copy of Frankenstein, books that are so small they need to be kept in walnut shells, and the original manuscript for the Grapes of Wrath. I learned all about William Faulkner. They had an exhibit on him at the time, and was I was convinced I was assigned to the best section of the library. The funny thing was, when we all came to eat lunch together on the first day, we all raved about our respective assignments. Each intern had an amazing and unique experience with the UVA Library Internship. I would totally apply for it again next year, but I also want to give others the opportunity to experience interning at the UVA Libraries. (Aside: spread the word about this well-paid short term summer opportunity, especially if you know any 10th grade and up high school students from diverse backgrounds. Contact Phylissa Mitchell, Director of Inclusion, Diversity, & Equity University of Virginia Libraries [email protected]) And in answer to the question, “why is the Albert and Shirley Small Special Collections building mostly underground?”, UVA Reference Librarian Penny White explained: That's a great question! According to our University Archivist, Archives & Special Collections was built partially underground to "fit" the available space. The Library wanted the building in central grounds, and to keep the it the same scale as the other buildings around it, the decision was made to build it partially underground. Without the underground stacks, the building would have had to have been significantly taller. Take a look at their blog, Notes from Under Grounds Peyton Beaumont Western Albemarle High School Library Communications and Outreach Intern
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