The BMI’s Collections and Archives Department accepts applications from interns and volunteers year-round. Projects are available for working with Objects and/or Archival materials, which include documents, photographs, and the library. We also offer virtual internships on a limited bases to work in data standardization and digital imaging.
Interns and volunteers have access to free parking, free BMI admission and use of the Research Center, free or discounted admission to other local museums through ROAM and GBHA, and a 20% discount in the museum gift shop.
Available hours for interns and volunteers are Monday through Thursday, 10am to 4pm. Position descriptions and applications are found below.
Internships
Internship opportunities are available to undergraduate and graduate students enrolled or planning to enroll in a program with a focus in museum studies, collections management, archives and records management or library science. Students may work in one or more areas within our collections.
Internships may be tailored to suit the student’s concentration while meeting the needs of the museum. BMI staff will work with the student and his or her professor to develop an internship that will meet academic and credit requirements. Students from colleges and universities have successfully completed challenging and beneficial internships in collections, record management, research, archives, library science, and exhibit installation.
Collections Storage and Inventory Internship
Learn and implement best professional practices while addressing a museum collection inventory. You will receive basic training in inventory management by assisting with projects including physical inventory, record checks, photography and re‐housing. Instruction and supervision provided by the Collections staff.
Collections Processing Internship
Learn and implement best professional practices while cataloging artifacts for the objects collection. You will receive basic training in using the collections management software, PastPerfect, as well as assess artifacts, catalog and photograph for the database, mark, pack and store the objects.
Archives Internship
Learn and apply archival theory to process textual, photographic, audiovisual, or architectural collections. Working under the direction of the Archives & Library manager, you will learn basic preservation measures, how to select and implement an organizational processing scheme, and how to write a detailed finding aid or catalog entry. For Library students, apply library management principles to a collection of books, serials, and trade catalogs through arrangement, preservation, and cataloging. You might also assist with researchers and reference inquiries, and may digitize selected items using archival standards. Coursework in archival and/or library theory or management is beneficial.
Contact: Curtis Durham, Collections Manager at cdurham@thebmi.org or 410.727.4808 x312
Volunteering
Volunteers are an important part of our Collections Department and we welcome your inquiry! The BMI is reliant on volunteers to assist us in the research and care of the collections. Projects include working with objects, archives, library and photographs. To learn more about volunteer opportunities in other departments, please click here.
Volunteers must be willing and able to develop a basic knowledge of Baltimore’s industries represented in the museum and the history of the cannery building in which it is housed. Additional training, such as lectures or field trips, may be scheduled throughout the year. Please note that volunteers are requested to work a minimum of two periods of at least three hours each, or one six hour period per month. If possible, volunteers are asked to schedule for the same period each month to facilitate planning.
Archives Processing Volunteer
The archives at the Baltimore Museum of Industry contain corporate and industrial archival material – textual, photographic, cartographic, architectural, and audiovisual – which allow us to tell the story of local businesses familiar to generations of Marylanders. Working under the direction of the Archivist, volunteers may contribute to any of the following archival processing projects: implementation of archival arrangement and description of collections including box or folder lists; storing, labeling and shelving collections; finding aid development and cataloging; performing background research on collections and new accessions; developing physical inventory and space management records for the collection; and identifying preservation issues. Basic computer and typing skills, demonstrated attention to detail, and organizational skills are essential. Must be able to lift 30 pounds. Work performed at main museum campus and/or off-site storage facility.
Archives Reference Volunteer
Volunteers contribute to standard archival reference services functions: retrieving and re-filing records requested by researchers, reproducing and digitizing requested material, researching records in response to researcher inquiries in a timely manner, and working directly with archives researchers in person. Good communications skills are essential. Basic computer skills and work habits that demonstrate attention to detail are essential. Must be able to lift 30 pounds. Must be able to volunteer as needed Monday, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays.
Collections Management Volunteer
Assist with managing the collection by performing inventories, cataloging, digital photography, identification, packing and storage of collection objects. A background in collections management and/or industrial collections, decorative arts, or material culture is preferred but not necessary. Computer data entry experience, good organizational skills and detail oriented required.
Contact: Curtis Durham, Collections Manager at cdurham@thebmi.org or 410.727.4808 x312