Website Museum of Fine Arts, Boston
Summary
The William Morris Hunt Memorial Library has served as the research library of the Museum of Fine Arts since 1870, established at the museum’s founding. The library consists of the Main library and nine curatorial department libraries. Together, these collections encompass more than 300,000 items across locations. The library supports research related to the museum’s permanent collections, special exhibitions, art history, provenance, and related fields by providing museum staff, scholars, and researchers with comprehensive access to materials spanning centuries of artistic practice and scholarship.
The library is seeking a graduate level intern to assist in the research and cataloging of a collection of books donated by prominent Boston art collector and MFA philanthropist, John P. Axelrod. This collection reflects Axelrod’s support of American Art and advocacy for underrepresented artists. Additionally, the intern will assist in processing and organization of a collection of non-circulating photobooks located in the Prints, Drawings, and Photography Department, as well as other gift collections donated to the library.
Under the supervision of the Director of Libraries and Technical Services Librarian, the intern will also work alongside various department members. This internship focuses on providing experience in collection analysis, copy cataloging, and metadata creation helping to make library materials discoverable and accessible for staff, scholars, and researchers. This role also offers numerous opportunities to build a professional network with information professionals.
Ideal candidates must be able to commit to work onsite 18-20 hours weekly within 9am-4pm Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday between September 18 and December 11. Graduate interns are required to attend the following professional development sessions during the semester: Orientation on Sept 11, Meet the Leadership Team (date to be announced at orientation), and Final Presentations on Dec 4. They are welcome to attend any other sessions that appeal to them.
Key Details
Compensation: $19.95/hour + $90/month transportation subsidy
Term: September 11–December 11, 2026
Schedule: 18–20 hours per week
Deadline: August 15, 2026
Eligibility
Qualifications:
- Currently enrolled in or recently graduated (i.e., within one year from start of internship) from a graduate program in Library Science, Museum Studies, or a related field
- Familiarity with library service platforms
- Strong attention to detail and organizational skills
- Strong Interest in collection management, metadata, or archival processing
- Ability to work independently as well as collaboratively across departments.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills
- Ability to work onsite 18-20 hours per week, within Monday through Friday, 9am-5pm parameters, between Sept 11 – Dec 11.
- Graduate interns are required to attend the following professional development sessions during the semester: Orientation on Sept 11, Meet the Leadership Team (date to be announced at orientation), and Final Presentations on Dec 4. They are welcome to attend any other sessions that appeal to them.
- Ability to attend orientation on Fri, Sept 11, 2026, 10am to 3:30pm.
About
Founded in 1870, the Museum of Fine Arts houses and preserves preeminent collections and aspires to serve a wide variety of people through direct encounters with works of art.
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