Application Period Opens for 2015 National Digital Stewardship Residency Program
Washington, DC—The Library of Congress and the Institute of Museum and Library Services announce the official open call for applications for the 2015 National Digital Stewardship Residency, to be held in the Washington, D.C. area. Applications opened Dec. 17 and will close on January 30, 2015. To apply, go to the official USAJobs link at https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/389615400.
For the 2015-16 class, five residents will be chosen for a 12-month residency at a prominent institution in the Washington, D.C. area. The residency will begin in June, 2015, with an intensive week-long digital stewardship workshop at the Library of Congress. Thereafter, each resident will move to his or her designated host institution to work on a significant digital stewardship project. These projects will allow them to acquire hands-on knowledge and skills involving the collection, selection, management, long-term preservation, and accessibility of digital assets.
The five institutions, and the projects they will offer to NDSR residents, are:
- The District of Columbia Public Library: Personal Digital Preservation Access and Education through the Public Library
- The Government Publishing Office: Preparation for Audit and Certification of GPO’s FDsys as a Trustworthy Digital Repository
- The American Institute of Architects: Building Curation into Records Creation: Developing a Digital Repository Program at the American Institute of Architects
- The U.S. Senate Historical Office: Improving Digital Stewardship in the U.S. Senate
- The National Library of Medicine: NLM-Developed Software as Cultural Heritage
The inaugural class of the NDSR was held in Washington, D.C. in 2013-14. Host institutions for that class included Association of Research Libraries, the Dumbarton Oaks Research Library, the Folger Shakespeare Library, the Library of Congress, the University of Maryland, the National Library of Medicine, the National Security Archive, the Public Broadcasting Service, the Smithsonian Institution Archives and the World Bank.
“We are excited to be collaborating with such dynamic host institutions for the second NDSR residency class in Washington, D.C.,” said Library of Congress Supervisory Program Specialist George Coulborne. “ In collaboration with the hosts, we look forward to developing the most engaging experience possible for our residents. Last year’s residents all found employment in fields related to digital stewardship or went on to pursue higher degrees. We hope to replicate that outcome with this class of residents, as well as build bridges between the host institutions and the Library of Congress to advance digital stewardship.”
“At IMLS we are delighted to continue our work on and funding support for the second round of the NDSR,” said Maura Marx, IMLS Deputy Director for Library Services. “We welcome the new hosts and look forward to welcoming the new residents to all the opportunities this program presents.”
To qualify, applicants must have a master’s degree or higher academic credential, graduating between spring 2013 and spring 2015, with a strong interest in digital stewardship. Currently enrolled doctoral students also are encouraged to apply. Applicants must submit a detailed resume and cover letter, their undergraduate and graduate transcripts, three letters of recommendation, and a creative video that explains an applicant’s interest in the program. Visit the NDSR application website at digitalpreservation.gov/ndsr/applicationinfo.html for more information.
The residents chosen for NDSR 2015 will be announced by early April 2015. For additional information and updates regarding the National Digital Stewardship Residency, please see the program website atdigitalpreservation.gov/ndsr.
The Office of Strategic Initiatives, part of the Library of Congress, oversees the NDSR for the Library and directs the overall digital strategic planning for the Library and the national program for long-term preservation of digital cultural assets, leading a collaborative institution-wide effort to develop consolidated digital future plans, and integrating the delivery of information technology services.
The Institute of Museum and Library Services is the primary source of federal support for the nation’s 123,000 libraries and 35,000 museums. Our mission is to inspire libraries and museums to advance innovation, lifelong learning, and cultural and civic engagement. Our grant making, policy development, and research help libraries and museums deliver valuable services that make it possible for communities and individuals to thrive. To learn more, visit www.imls.gov and follow us on Facebook and Twitter.
Founded in 1800, the Library of Congress is the nation’s oldest federal cultural institution. It seeks to spark imagination and creativity and to further human understanding and wisdom by providing access to knowledge through its magnificent collections, programs and exhibitions. Many of the Library’s rich resources can be accessed through its website at www.loc.gov.