Archives, History and Heritage Advanced Internship Program

Program Overview

The Archives, History and Heritage Advanced (AHHA) Internship Program gives the next generation of archivists and knowledge workers invaluable opportunities to analyze, organize, and interpret collections or programs that help share the story of the American experience. Internships and projects will heighten visibility for Library resources that represent the rich heritage of the United States.

Program Focus

AHHA offers undergraduate juniors and seniors, graduate students and recent graduates insights into the Library of Congress collections — the world’s largest and most comprehensive repository of human knowledge. Interns will work under the supervision and guidance of a senior specialist and learn the standards and techniques to properly arrange and provide descriptions for archival collection materials.

The program focuses on building awareness of how unique historical records are analyzed, organized, and described in order to make them available for research and educational use. Interns will have the opportunity to explore historical documents representing rich creative and intellectual resources, while working under the direction of library specialists in various divisions.

Interns will develop knowledge of the types of materials within the Library’s collections, including how they are collected, acquired, cataloged, preserved, interpreted, and shared, and the procedures governing their use; develop and maintain personal contacts and cooperative work relationships with librarians and others throughout the Library, with colleagues in other intern programs, and with subject matter experts to provide or exchange information; present information to groups and persons with similar understanding of the subject; and attend workshops, seminars, or meetings in relevant fields for professional development.

Sponsorship

The Archives, History and Heritage Advanced Internship Program is made possible by the generous support of the Knowledge Navigators Trust Fund.

Selection Process

Applications will be forwarded to selecting officials in the Library who will arrange telephone or Zoom interviews with promising applicants based on materials submitted. Letters of recommendation are not required for this application; references will be called for top candidates. Selectees will be provided with detailed information about onboarding and preparing for the internship.

A complete application package consists of:

1. resume
2. legible copy of latest college/university transcripts
3. names and contact information of two references, and
4. responses to vacancy questions

Note: All items must be submitted through USAJOBS during the open application period. Incomplete application packages will not be considered.

AHHA 2026 Projects – Onsite

Interns will complete the following 5 onsite projects during AHHA 2026. All work for these projects will be completed entirely onsite within the Library’s Capitol Hill campus. Each intern will be assigned to work on one project as their primary responsibility, alongside other assignments that will introduce them to the range of LOC activity. Applicants will be asked to select their top two project choices in the application.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Once selected and hired for the internship, every effort will be made to accommodate project selections. Preferred project placement cannot be guaranteed and is subject to change. All project areas may not be available at the time applicants are selected and others may be added. Applicants should be sure to indicate two projects of interest within their applications.

1. Engaging Youth and Families Onsite at the Library of Congress (Informal Learning Office)
2. Copyright Records Management Inventory (Copyright Office)
3. Providing Public Access to American History within the Holdings of the Manuscript Division (Manuscript Division)
4. American History in the Spanish Foreign Copying Program Records (Manuscript Division)
5. Researching and Curating American Federal Legislative History Materials (Law Library)

Project Descriptions

AHHA 2026 Projects – Onsite

1. Engaging Youth and Families Onsite at the Library of CongressProject Description: The Informal Learning Office intern will support the development of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) content for The Source, the Library’s new experiential research and discovery gallery for youth and families. During this onsite internship, the intern will observe youth, family, and student visitors in The Source, participate in school programs, and observe informal learning interactions. Based on their observations and knowledge of Library collections, the intern will develop a STEM-focused interpretive plan to be utilized when engaging with visitors. Supporting tasks might include assessing school programs for content and efficacy, working with content specialists to identify collection materials to highlight, writing a blog, and speaking with families to receive feedback. This project adapts Library materials for a youth audience while supporting the mission of heightening visibility and promoting useability of Library collections. The intern will connect children to a deeper understanding of our country’s historical and creative record through interactive, STEM-focused materials.

   Required skills and knowledge: Experience with children grades 3rd through 10th, including teaching or student teaching, childcare, working at a camp, or volunteering at museums or other youth-serving institutions; degree or classes (either graduate or undergraduate) in education, library sciences and museum studies, STEM.

   Preferred skills and knowledge: Experience using library catalogs and databases; ability to plan work and meet deadlines; ability to work effectively and collaboratively in a team setting; knowledge of American history; experience with learners in intergenerational and family settings or serving different types of audiences in customer service roles.

2. Copyright Records Management InventoryProject Description: The Copyright Office Records Management Division (RMD) project offers an opportunity to strengthen operational capacity while providing a structured educational intern experience. The interns will support essential records management activities, including inventory verification, and contribute directly to the accuracy, discoverability, and useability of the Copyright deposits copy records. Additionally, interns will learn and apply archival best practices to interpret materials that reflect the history of American creativity, reinforcing the Archives, History and Heritage Advanced (AHHA) internship program’s emphasis on understanding and sharing the American experience. The project also enhances the visibility of information documenting the nation’s rich creative and intellectual heritage and builds awareness of how unique historical copyright records are analyzed, organized, and described in order to support research. The project work and deliverables will be structured around clear project management principles within an internship that provides meaningful operational support, mentorship, and high-value professional development.

   Required skills and knowledge: Ability to communicate and convey information clearly and professionally in both written and verbal formats in support of collaboration, documentation, and cross-team coordination; understanding of basic computer operations, standard office software, digital file management, and the ability to navigate databases or information systems used in records or research environments.

   Preferred skills and knowledge: Ability to contribute to group projects while also managing individual assignments with accountability; knowledge of archival, records, and information management.

3. Providing Public Access to American History within the Holdings of the Manuscript DivisionProject Description: Through hands-on learning under the guidance of an experienced archives specialist, this onsite project provides the intern with the opportunity to learn and apply archival standards and principles while processing and making available for research use several small, unprocessed accessions forming part of the Manuscript Division’s rich holdings of unique material about American history. In addition to physical processing tasks, the intern will analyze and identify subject content found in the materials, most of which date from the mid-20th century (mostly post-World War II). The content revolves around the work of notable authors, performing artists, scientists, politicians, and jurists and relates to a near-endless variety of American historical topics. By the close of the project, the intern will share knowledge and lessons learned by means of a presentation to other Library staff.

   Required skills and knowledge: Ability to plan work and meet deadlines; think critically and propose resolutions to problems; work effectively and collaboratively in a team setting, and ability to communicate in writing; knowledge of American history and a variety of office technology applications such as Microsoft Office Suite.

   Preferred skills and knowledge: Ability to organize, describe, and preserve archival materials; knowledge of Library Science and a variety of automated tools and technologies such as integrated library systems and ArchivesSpace.

4. American History in the Spanish Foreign Copying Program RecordsProject Description: The intern will work with staff of the Manuscript Reading Room to describe various series from the Foreign Copying Program (FCP) Records in Spanish language, which were copied by Library staff in the first half of the 20th century from original records relating to American history held in overseas repositories. The intern will compare information about the collection across old shelf lists, dated published guides, and catalogs and other guides available from repositories overseas. After acquiring an understanding of a collection’s arrangement, series, and points of access, the intern will generate shelf lists for different series and may begin work on a LibGuide. The intern will also co-author a blog post and may participate in Library-sponsored panels or webinars discussing their work. The project and deliverables provide an opportunity to create insightful and impactful research products while enabling the intern to gain expert archival and library skills.

   Required skills and knowledge: Experience using library catalogs and databases; ability to plan work and meet deadlines, and ability to work effectively and collaboratively in a team setting; knowledge of American history.

   Preferred skills and knowledge: Reading knowledge of Spanish language; experience creating inventories, shelf lists, or finding aids; knowledge of Library Science and world history.

5. Researching and Curating American Federal Legislative History MaterialsProject Description: This project provides an opportunity to become familiar with researching, retrieving, reviewing, and curating historical legal records held by the Law Library of Congress. The Law Library Public Services Division intern will work onsite and develop a new reading room display that celebrates the 130th anniversary of the Library of Congress Jefferson Building in 2027. This project will involve researching and reviewing items in the Law Library’s collections that are relevant to the Library’s history. The intern will then work with colleagues to develop and curate a reading room display with visuals, summaries, and historical data. Finally, the intern will draft one or more blog posts for In Custodia Legis to promote the new display, describe what they learned during their internship, and outline the legislative history of constructing the Jefferson Building.
   Required skills and knowledge: Attention to detail; good time management, and ability to follow a workflow; knowledge of basic computer programs (email, Word, Excel, Adobe), and basic experience with managing projects.

   Preferred skills and knowledge: Skill in using an online catalog and/or integrated library system; general knowledge of federal legislation and the law-making process.

AHHA 2026 Projects – Remote

Interns will complete the following 2 remote projects during AHHA 2026. All work for these projects will be completed remotely. Each intern will be assigned to work on one project as their primary responsibility, alongside other assignments that will introduce them to the range of LOC activity. Applicants will be asked to list their top two project choices in the application.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Once selected and hired for the internship, every effort will be made to accommodate project selections. Due to the popularity of some areas of interest, preferred project placement cannot be guaranteed. All project areas may not be available at the time applicants are selected and others may be added. Applicants should be sure to indicate two project areas of interest within their applications.

1. Embodied Archives: Connecting Communities to the Katherine Dunham Collection (Digital Strategy Directorate)
2. On the Digital Campaign Trail: Archiving U.S. Election Websites (Web Archiving Section)

Project Descriptions

AHHA 2026 Projects – Remote

1. Embodied Archives: Connecting Communities to the Katherine Dunham CollectionProject Description: Katherine Dunham (1909-2006) pioneered modern dance while conducting groundbreaking anthropological fieldwork in the Caribbean and advocating for civil rights. The Katherine Dunham Collection at the Library of Congress preserves photographs, moving images, and manuscripts documenting her legacy. Interns will work remotely to analyze photographs, films, and manuscripts to illuminate connections between Dunham’s choreography, anthropological research, and activism. They will develop interpretive content and co-design a digital experience that brings audiences into direct engagement with her work through curated primary sources and contextual narratives. Interns will gain proficiency in archival research, digital humanities, and user experience design while deepening their knowledge of African American diasporic and intellectual history. This project heightens visibility for Library resources through user-centered digital innovation, creating connections between audiences and primary source materials.

   Required skills and knowledge: Experience conducting independent research using primary sources and archival materials; ability to plan work, manage multiple tasks, and meet deadlines in a remote environment; effective written and verbal communication skills; familiarity with American history.

   Preferred skills and knowledge: Experience working with digitized archival collections or digital humanities projects; experience writing for public audiences; willingness to experiment with innovative approaches to storytelling using digital and emerging technologies; knowledge of the history of American modern dance, Caribbean history, anthropology, or the Dunham Technique; familiarity with Library of Congress digital collections.

2. On the Digital Campaign Trail: Archiving U.S. Election WebsitesProject Description: Political campaign websites are inherently ephemeral, changing rapidly as events unfold and often disappearing once an election ends. While limited in lifespan, they are unique records of the candidates, issues, and debates that shape history. In this project, the intern will learn how the Library preserves the digital campaign trail through hands-on work with the U.S. Elections Web Archive, which has preserved presidential, congressional, and gubernatorial candidate websites since 2000. The intern will work with the on-going collection of content for the mid-term elections and gain an understanding of the technical challenges of web archiving by assessing what has been captured. They will also participate in the collaborative process through which web archives are described and made available on loc.gov and contribute to data analysis, presentations, and written materials that increase the visibility and understanding of the web archive.

   Required skills and knowledge: Ability to plan, organize, and execute work within specified deadlines; strong oral and written communication skills; attention to detail; aptitude for working collaboratively with others; eagerness to learn, and a demonstrated interest in web archives.

   Preferred skills and knowledge: Experience with data analysis tools and methods; experience using or working with archival material (especially web archives), and familiarity with web technologies.