Undergraduate Fellowships

The North Callahan Special Collections Undergraduate Fellowship program offers students at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga paid opportunities to prepare for graduate studies or careers in archival administration and records management.

Special Collections stresses a standards-based approach to digitization and description, and uses archival and digital asset management systems commonly adopted by galleries, libraries, archives, and museums (GLAMs) in the United States. Fellows who successfully complete projects in Special Collections gain important transferable skills and exposure to professional software applications.

Eligibility

Fellows must be undergraduate students classified as juniors or seniors and enrolled full-time at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. Definitions of the Classification of Students and Registration Classification are available in the Undergraduate Course Catalog.

Responsibilities and Qualifications

Fellowship responsibilities may include, but are not limited to the following:

  • arranging and describing archival collections;
  • authoring biographical and historical notes that provide context for archival materials;
  • creating finding aids in compliance with Describing Archives: A Content Standard (DACS) and local practices using ArchivesSpace;
  • transcribing audio and video assets;
  • using scanners and cameras to digitize archival materials and rare books;
  • creating descriptive metadata and developing digital collections using CONTENTdm;
  • applying controlled vocabularies, including LCSH, LCNAF, AAT, and RightsStatements.org, to describe digital objects;
  • and assisting researchers by working shifts on the Special Collections reference desk.

Fellowship qualifications include the following:

  • ability to learn about Special Collections discovery tools and resources through training and self-paced learning;
  • ability to work independently and produce high quality, thorough, and accurate work;
  • ability to follow detailed written instructions;
  • strong organizational, analytical and problem-solving skills as well as demonstrated initiative and adaptability;
  • working knowledge of office productivity suites, such as Microsoft Office and Google Drive;
  • and effective written and oral communication skills.

Intern Perspectives

Read about past projects and experiences in our Intern Perspectives series on the Library’s blog.

Application

Special Collections is no longer accepting applications for the 2026-2027 academic year. Special Collections will open applications for Summer 2027 and Fall 2027/Spring 2028 in January 2027.

Library

Library