Lela Barnes Archival Internship

The Library and Archives Division of the Kansas Historical Society annually offers the Lela Barnes Archival Internship for graduate students enrolled in Kansas colleges and universities and Kansas residents attending any graduate school. This internship is designed to provide summer or fall semester work experience for a graduate student interested in pursuing an archival career. The intern will be introduced to archival arrangement and description and possibly other activities working with the society's manuscripts collections. A $2,500 stipend accompanies the eight-week internship which is available beginning in June each year. Funds for this internship are provided by a bequest from the late Lela Barnes, curator of manuscripts at the Kansas Historical Society from 1936 until 1962.

Preferred qualifications:

Applicants should, by June of the year of application, have completed at least twelve graduate semester hours or equivalent in American history; American studies; archival, library, or information management; or museum studies applied toward an advanced degree in American history, American studies, archival administration, library/information or records management, or related fields. Applicants should have at least eight undergraduate semester hours or equivalent in American history.

Applicants should submit a letter describing their interest in the archival profession, a resume, transcripts, and two letters of recommendation to:

Lela Barnes Internship
Library and Archives Division
Kansas Historical Society
6425 SW Sixth Avenue
Topeka, KS 66615-1099

Letters of application should be received by April first. Letters received after that date may not receive first consideration. Transcripts and letters of recommendation do not need to be received by April first, but early receipt will speed the selection process. Award of the internship will be announced May first or as soon as possible thereafter depending on receipt of applications and supporting documentation.

If you have questions, please contact Bob Knecht at (785) 272-8681, ext. 302; fax (785) 272-8682; TDD (785) 272-8683; e-mail bknecht@kshs.org.