Naval History and Heritage Command
Volunteers, Interns and Navy Reservists
Volunteers
Volunteer opportunities at the Navy Department Library include website development, processing of manuscript collections, translation of foreign language materials, and providing assistance with reference and cataloging.
| Website development. The Naval History and Heritage Command website is consulted by a world-wide audience of many thousands of people every month, and has received the recognition of the National Endowment of the Humanities as one of the best teaching-related resources on the Internet. Almost anyone can help with developing the website as long as they display a strong attention to detail, own a computer, and are able to word process; individuals with strong proof reading skills are particularly needed. Website development consists of digitizing (word processing and/or scanning), proofreading, and in some cases also formatting electronic files. Items for website posting include subject presentations as well as individual documents and publications relating to naval and military history. In order to comply with the Americans With Disabilities Act and to make materials easy to use by researchers, the library is focused on producing text files of historic materials. Website volunteers can work at the Navy Department Library, or at a distance, communicating via e-mail. If working at the library they may need to bring their own laptop, though sometimes a computer is available in the library. If working at a distance they will communicate and send digitized files to the library via e-mail. Hardcopy materials (typically photocopies) will be mailed to volunteers. Processing of manuscript collections. Retired librarians and archivists are preferred, though individuals with a strong interest in history will be considered. Attention to detail is essential. Volunteers must work onsite during normal business hours. The library has a large collection of manuscript materials including personal papers collections, journals, notebooks, scrapbooks, and individual documents. Items range from the 1700s through the Global War on Terrorism, with the majority dating to the 19th and 20th centuries. In some cases collections need to be organized and placed in folders and archival boxes. Individual items, often handwritten, will need to be briefly described with regard to authorship, subject, date, etc. In the case of collections, finding aids will need to be prepared on the model of the following collections: Commander William S. Edwards Rear Admiral William J. Galbraith Captain George W. Much Passed Engineer Robert Salmond Talbot Captain William L. Ware In some cases individual documents will need to be transcribed. Library staff will assist with the formatting of electronic finding aids. Translation of foreign language materials. Strong foreign language abilities are essential. Although the cataloging staff sometimes needs help with translating publication information, duties normally involve the translation of historic documents and publications. The library is particularly interested in obtaining help with translating German, Vietnamese, and early 19th century Arabic documents. Recent projects include materials captured on German submarine U-505 . It is preferred that volunteers work onsite during normal business hours, though in some cases volunteers can work at a distance, communicating via e-mail. If working at the library, they may need to bring their own laptop, though sometimes a computer is available in the library. If working at a distance they will communicate and send digitized files to the library via e-mail. Hardcopy materials (photocopies) will be mailed to volunteers. Reference assistance. Retired librarians and individuals with a strong naval history background are preferred. Volunteers typically assist the staff with the preparation of document finding aids/inventories and subject bibliographies, as well as assisting the reference staff with answering public inquiries for historical information. Volunteers must work onsite during normal business hours. Cataloging assistance. Persons interested in cataloging work are desired. Assistance is needed with descriptive and modified cataloging of naval, maritime and related subjects using the OCLC database. Also assistance is needed with updating the cataloging module of the library’s integrated library system, as well as all phases of processing such as the attachment of security strips, the preparation and replacement of spine labels, inventory of collection, and minor book repairs. Volunteers must work onsite during normal business hours. For further information on volunteering contact the Library Director at glenn.helm@navy.mil. |
Interns
Library interns can focus on library science, including reference and/or cataloging, as well as Internet website development. For information on the internship program, including duration, expenses, and an application form, see Naval History and Heritage Command Internship Program.
| Library Science. Interns interested in reference assist the staff with the preparation of document finding aids/inventories, prepare subject bibliographies, and conduct research in response to public inquiries for historical information. They are also given an opportunity to learn about and assist with interlibrary loan and serials processing. Interns interested in cataloging will learn to use the OCLC database, as well as experience working with all aspects of the library’s Technical Services Section. If they have foreign language skills, interns will likely assist with translating bibliographic data from foreign language titles awaiting cataloging. For a detailed description of a library science internship read the published account “Once In a Lifetime: A Library Science Internship in Washington, DC,” by Paul Levett. Website Development. The Naval History and Heritage Command website is consulted by a world-wide audience of many thousands of people every month, and has received the recognition of the National Endowment of the Humanities as one of the best teaching-related resources on the web. Website development consists of digitizing (word processing and/or scanning), proofreading, and formatting electronic files. Items for website posting include subject presentations, as well as individual documents and publications relating to naval and military history. In order to comply with the Americans With Disabilities Act and to make materials easy to use by researchers, the library is focused on producing text files of historic materials which are typically located in the library’s Online Reading Room. Sizable completed projects identify the student and his/her academic affiliation. Selected intern projects include: Bronze Guns of Leutze Park Captain John Paul Jones Great White Fleet: A Select Bibliography Guide To Command of Negro Naval Personnel Miscellaneous Documents Captured From the German Submarine U-505 Racial Incidents Onboard USS Kitty Hawk (CVA-63) and USS Constellation (CVA-64) in 1972 US Occupation of Haiti, 1915-1934 USS Thresher: Selected Documents Wehrmacht [German Armed Forces] Reports Captured on U-505 |
Navy Reservists
US Navy reservists from units VTU-0615R, GVTU 0614R, and NCDD-206 are assisting the library with developing the Naval History and Heritage Command website. The website is consulted by a world-wide audience of many thousands of people, including naval personnel, on a monthly basis, and has received the recognition of the National Endowment of the Humanities as one of the best teaching-related resources on the Internet. Reservists must receive permission from their unit commanding officer to participate in this effort. Website development consists of digitizing (word processing and/or scanning), proofreading, and formatting electronic files. Items for website posting include subject presentations as well as individual documents and publications relating to naval and military history. In order to comply with the Americans With Disabilities Act and to make materials easy to use by researchers, the library is focused on producing text files of historic materials. Selected reservist projects include:
Al Qaeda: Statements and Evolving Ideology
Antisubmarine Information (1918)
Antisubmarine Warfare (1917)
“Brief History of the Seagoing Marines”
CIC Manual (1945)
“Influenza” from the Annual Report of the Secretary of the Navy (1919)
Islam: A Primer
Islamic Terrorism and the Balkans
Notes on Anti-submarine Defenses (1917)
The Posse Comitatus Act and Related Matters: A Sketch
US Navy Interviewer's Classification Guide (1943)
V-22 Osprey Tilt-Rotor Aircraft
For further information on assisting the library, please call the Library.