Library of Congress
As the world’s largest library, the Library of Congress offers inspired learners unprecedented access to its world-class collections and staff; interns work alongside its employees to further the mission of the nation’s oldest cultural institution and provide Congress and the American people with a rich, diverse, and enduring source of knowledge for the posterity of all.
The Literary Initiatives Office (LIT) presents a rich variety of programs, engages a broad and diverse public, connects audiences to the Library’s collections, and embodies the conviction that literature is a toolkit, a voyage, a compass—and that reading is a humanizing force. LIT develops signature literary programs, including the National Book Festival and year-round author events; administers literary ambassador positions such as the U.S. Poet Laureate, the National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature, and the Library of Congress Prize for American Fiction winner; and offers a range of programs to further its mission and reach.
What to expect
The RealArts@Penn intern will receive valuable training for a career in arts administration, audio archive management and public programming. The intern will assist with the coordination of LIT’s public programs with authors, work on producing web content and blog posts, organizing author recommendations and inquiries from the public, and assist in the day-to-day activities of the office. Since the summer months are the most crucial for the 2024 National Book Festival, the intern will work heavily on program support for the festival, which includes tasks such as writing and editing author biographies, gathering and organizing content for the festival’s digital presence, and creating and managing descriptive content for author presentations. The LIT team always welcomes creativity and initiative in brainstorming and contributing to ideas for author programming.
The intern will commit to 24-40 hours per week which may include some evening hours for public programs. Typical schedule is hybrid with 2 days in the office per week.
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