Funded Internships

The British Library recognises the growing need for specialised training in conservation by organising an internship programme aimed at developing practical skills. The internship programme started in 2006 and takes place in the Centre for Conservation at the British Library's flagship site in London.

The aim of the internships is to provide an educational opportunity for students who have graduated with a degree in conservation and who are seeking further training to develop their skills. Interns focus on conservation problems in a research library context and work on developing and carrying out conservation treatments on a range of materials in the collections.

A variety of conservation treatments are undertaken by the intern depending upon his/her current level of expertise. Because of the size and scope of the Library's Collection, a range of material may be available for treatment depending on Conservation’s priorities in a given year. Interns will master written documentation formats including condition assessments and treatment records. Interns are required to complete projects by providing housing for the objects that they treat, and will be expected to use appropriate housing forms, including boxing, matting and encapsulation.

Interns will experience first hand the dynamics of working in open plan studios with a large professional staff. Interns are expected to participate in regular conservation studio maintenance with the rest of conservation staff, to ensure their working space is kept clean, and that all items are properly secured using British Library Collection Security guidelines.

Interns are given the opportunity to participate in visitor activities such as public and professional conservation tours and workshops. Interns are expected to give a presentation on their work at the end of the internship to Conservation and Collection Care staff, and two representatives from funding institutions as required.

The British Library gratefully acknowledges the Heritage Lottery Fund, the Ernest Cook Trust, the Headley Trust, the Radcliffe Trust, the Peck Stacpoole Foundation, the Stockman Family Foundation, the American Trust for the British Library and the Garfield Weston Foundation for their support for the 2007-11 Internships.