Arabic Digital Collections Specialist
Internship title: Arabic Digital Collections Specialist
Organization: ASU SolarSPELL Initiative (Solar Powered Educational Learning Library)
Location: Tempe and/or Remote
Type of internship: For credit or non-paid; approximately 10 hours per week
Application deadline: November 12, 2023; applications will continue to be accepted and reviewed until the position is filled.
Start date: January 8, 2024
Description:
SolarSPELL is seeking a digital collections specialist intern to assist in library development and maintenance of the Arabic collection in the SolarSPELL library. In particular, SolarSPELL is seeking candidates with experience in digital collections. Ideal candidates will be pursuing a Master’s in Library and Information Science (or equivalent degree). Proficiency in Arabic, Kurdish, or Syriac is required.
SolarSPELL is a global educational initiative at Arizona State University that combines solar-powered technology, relevant content, and local capacity building. We work to build internet-ready skills and improve educational opportunities around the world. Our offline digital library is designed to bring educational content to resource-constrained locations that may lack electricity, internet connectivity, and/or traditional libraries. The SolarSPELL library emits an offline WiFi hotspot, to which any WiFi capable device (smartphones, tablets, laptops) can connect and freely surf thousands of resources that are carefully curated and continually improved to meet local information needs.
The Arabic collection began with a Middle East library for a pilot in Northeast Syria and currently includes 1500 resources. Interns in this role will oversee the expansion and further development of the Arabic collection for use in Northeast Syria and beyond. This is the first library to curate local content in three languages: Arabic, Kurdish, and Syriac.
More information on SolarSPELL can be found here: http://solarspell.org
This internship offers an exciting opportunity to contribute to improving the quality of educational information available to students and teachers around the world, whose schools may lack Internet connectivity and/or electricity. Your contributions will be brought to the field and used by teachers and students, within months of your internship!
Interns will be expected to attend a new intern orientation at the beginning of the semester. Ideal candidates will be detail-oriented and self-starters, and have a desire to work for a department that serves communities from all over the world.
Internship duties will include the following:
- Digital asset management
- Cataloging Arabic digital resources
- Reviewing collections for weeding
- Identifying content need areas
- Assist in ongoing standardization of Arabic/Kurdish/Syriac keyword library
- Work with other student interns for library curation and metadata tagging
Essential qualifications:
- Experience with digital collections
- Working knowledge of copyright and creative commons
- Arabic, Kurdish, or Syriac proficiency
How to apply: If you are interested in applying for this position, please submit a resume and cover letter to Cassie Barrett at cbarre38@asu.edu. All documents should be in PDF format and follow the naming style of [LastName_FirstName_DesiredPosition]