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Smithsonian Institution Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage

600 Maryland Ave., SW, Suite 2001, Washington, DC, 20013
folklife.si.edu

 Projects
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The Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage is a research and educational unit of the Smithsonian Institution promoting the understanding and continuity of diverse, contemporary grassroots cultures in the United States and around the world. The Center produces the Smithsonian Folklife Festival, Smithsonian Folkways Recordings, Smithsonian Global Sound, exhibitions, documentary films and videos, symposia, publications, and educational materials. The Center conducts ethnographic and cultural heritage policy oriented research, maintains the Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections, and provides educational and research opportunities through fellowships, internships, and training programs. The Center also produces major national cultural events consistent with its mission.

Projects

Collections Re-housing and Preservation

Intern: Michael Nagara

Code: SICFCH-01

 Interns
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The Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections has many important paper collections (such as Folkways Records correspondence business records photographs and recording files; Monitor Records business records) which have been identified by the Smithsonian's paper conservator as at risk collections in their current storage environments (metal file cabinets). This project involves the major task of re-housing these collections in record storage boxes by reviewing the contents of each folder; noting any unusual items or items requiring special enclosures such as photograph negatives; and maintaining a folder inventory as the folders are transferred to record storage boxes. The collection or collection series to work with can be chosen from a wide range of options and the work product would be an inventory container list or preliminary finding aid of these materials. If time permits selected materials might also be digitized.

Qualification: It would be very helpful to have a University of Michigan student currently in the Library and Information Science program that has an interest in archival materials.

The SI Alternative Spring Break is open to graduate students of the University of Michigan's School of Information. Undergraduates looking for Alternative Spring Break opportunities should look into the University of Michigan Alternative Spring Break program administered by U-M's Ginsberg Center.