The Special Collections & University Archives (SCUA) department aims to work with faculty, students, and staff to create unique learning opportunities and preserve the cultural memory of USF. We strive to put one of a kind and rare collections in the hands of students that support the teaching and learning mission of Gleeson Library.
This past spring 2025, SCUA hosted a number of USF undergraduate interns in the department for productive, hands-on experience with our collections. We made every effort to align student interests with for-credit work in researching, cataloging, digitizing, or designing exhibitions that utilized materials such as incunabula leaves, broadsides, fine press imprints, wood engravings, and USF archival collections. At the end of the semester, each student publicly presented their project work and created a reflective essay that was posted to the Library’s blog, Gleeson Gleanings (read about their exciting work).
The program learning outcomes include, Research Skills Development, Special Collections & Archival Practice, Critical Thinking & Historical Analysis, Communication Skills, and Professional Development. Depending on area of study, assignments can include crafting an exhibition proposal, creating catalogs, digitizing materials, writing reflective essays, and oral presentations. The spring 2025 program was a great success and we plan to continue providing internships to USF students this coming spring semester in 2026. Students from any discipline area are welcome, but must be enrolled in a for-credit internship course.
If you are interested in participating in our internship program, please Contact Us soon for more information on the application process as a limited number of spots will be made available.