Office of the Librarian of Congress - Graduate Program Intern

The Graduate Program Intern for the office of the Librarian of Congress will perform general program support, administrative, and library aide - type duties, with any combination of the following being representative:

1. Assist individual staff members in addressing management needs involving diverse Library of Congress programs and public services 

2. Research issues relevant to Library of Congress programs and operations and provide written and/or oral reports of findings

3. Receive incoming materials and determine proper distribution; arrange for pick-up by or delivery to appropriate office or individual

4. Maintain and keep current various files, and retrieve materials from these files as requested

5. Assist in receiving visitors and telephone calls to the Office of the Librarian and route them to the appropriate person; answer routing inquiries and refer more substantive inquiries to appropriate staff

6. Perform other miscellaneous administrative and library  aide - type duties as necessary or as assigned by designated supervisor

Abilities and knowledge required:

1. Knowledge of Library of Congress mission and basic principles of librarianship

2. Ability to analyze and recognize options for meeting program challenges

3. Ability to write analytically and compose correspondence

4. Ability to use reference sources such as dictionaries, style manuals, handbooks, directories, and the Internet

5. Knowledge of PC packages such as Microsoft Word and Outlook Express

6. Ability to operate a typewriter and /or PC, typing at least 25 wpm

7. Interpersonal skills which enable the incumbent to perform effectively in a variety of situations requiring tact, diplomacy, courteousness, and patience interacting with individuals at all levels in an appropriate manner

The Graduate Program Intern works under the direct supervision of the Chief of Staff, but receives direction and instructions on specific priorities and assignments from other Librarian's Office staff.

The Graduate Program Intern plans and carries out routine duties independently in accordance with established procedure, setting priorities and deadlines based on overall needs and requirements.  Completed work is fully reviewed and is relied upon for accuracy and conformance with Office and Library policy.

Personal contacts are with co-workers in the assigned office ( including an undergraduate intern from Gallaudet University); with staff of the Librarian's Office and representatives from other Library Service Units; with representatives from the private sector and Congressional offices; and with visitors from outside the Library.  The purpose of such contacts are to receive work assignments and instructions, receive or give information, report problems, correct typed materials, and deliver completed work.  Tact and courteousness are particularly required in handling the Office's visitors and telephone inquiries.

The work is primarily sedentary, but may involve some bending and stooping to access files or carry such objects as a file folder, book, or manual.  At times, the Graduate Program Intern might be called upon to deliver items, perhaps using a cart or book truck.

The work is performed in an office setting in the Madison Building of the Library of Congress.

The Graduate Program Intern would participate weekly in Librarian's Office staff meetings and would be encouraged to attend scholarly, educational, and musical events that take place in the Library.

The internship position would coincide with the Fall semester.  We would prefer that the intern work at least 20 hours per week.   For the period of the internship, the student would be a temporary employee of the Library of Congress with an offered stipend at the GS-4 level, which is approximately $584.00 every two weeks.  


Contact Us:

Robert Dizard, Jr.
Chief of Staff
The Library of Congress 
101 Independence Avenue, S.E.
Washington, D.C. 20540-1000