The Buchanan Library Fellowship program supports hands-on student learning opportunities that build desirable skills and deepen students’ understanding of resources and services in Vanderbilt Libraries. With a focus on undergraduate instruction, the program connects faculty and professional librarians with students to work on experiential library projects and present their work at the end of their fellowship. Fellows learn new skills, earn money and complete immersive projects that add to their expertise and resumes. Projects may involve curating a physical or online exhibition, developing information literacy skills, contributing new research to academic databases or building technology skills. Through the Buchanan Library Fellowship program, our libraries promote student research.
Building a University: Vanderbilt’s Third Decade, 1895-1905
Have you ever wondered about the early years of Vanderbilt University? The third decade of Vanderbilt University saw a new medical school built on campus, a dynamo to provide electricity, and, sadly, the destruction of the administration building by fire. This Buchanan Library Fellowship explores primary sources about the university’s third decade. You’ll examine historically significant university archives and manuscripts in Special Collections and University Archives and place them in context within the university’s and the nation’s history.
This fellowship blends curatorial practice and the history of the university. Students will research and interpret books and other items from Special Collections and University Archives and place them in context of historic events and cultural production. Fellows will curate an exhibition about their chosen books and present on what they learned. This fellowship requires a five-to eight-hour commitment weekly including class meetings. Fellows receive a small salary and learn how to think critically about primary sources while building an exhibition.
The fellowship meets Wednesdays at 3:00 p.m. Lab time (in the library or on Zoom) will also be scheduled during the semester to maximize your time with your materials. Labs are hands-on time for building your curatorial work. You’ll be able to ask questions about the objects you have selected, learn how to interpret your objects, discuss research materials available and plan your exhibit case description. Contacts: Teresa Gray, Kathy Smith
Apply here for this Fall 2022 Buchanan Library Fellowship, and submit the following:
- Cover letter addressed to the fellowship contact describing what you hope to achieve in the project
- Curriculum vitae including name, address, email, and telephone
- Letter of recommendation from a faculty member
Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis until filled, at which time the opportunity is closed. Accepted students will receive a formal letter of acceptance. For general information about the Buchanan Library Fellows program, contact Melissa Mallon.