Atkins Fellow - Community Archives

The Special Collections and University Archives unit of Atkins Library works to preserve and share the history and culture of UNC Charlotte and the Charlotte region. The objectives of this project are to assist the Second Ward Alumni House, a local long-standing community archive, with their collection of materials relating to Second Ward High School, Charlotte’s first public high school for Black students. Second Ward was a predominantly Black neighborhood in Charlotte, close to the uptown area. In the 1960s and 1970s, a large portion of this neighborhood was razed due to urban renewal. Second Ward High School was torn down in 1969, but the gymnasium still stands. The collection, located in the Second Ward Alumni Association House, consists of photographs, manuscript materials, and oversized objects. This project will provide the Community Archives Fellow an opportunity to understand how to support individuals and organizations with their records.

This fellowship offers MLIS students interested in archives, specifically community archives, the hands-on experience collaborating with a community partner, assessing a collection, and creating an inventory. They will learn community engagement best practices and gain experience working with organizations outside of academia. Part of the fellowship experience will take place off-site at the Alumni Association House and the remaining days will be spent at the Atkins Library working alongside the library faculty and staff of Special Collections and University Archives. The end product of this fellowship will be an inventory of their findings in the archive, along with recommendations for the Second Ward Alumni House to continue the work in the future. Applications are welcome from those interested in gaining and/or expanding their experience with inventorying and assessing a collection and learning more about how archives engage with local communities.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Applications submitted by January 29, 2025 will receive first consideration.

To learn more about the Atkins Fellows program, including housing and transportation options, please visit https://library.charlotte.edu/atkinsfellows/

Participants will receive a $1500 housing and transportation stipend to help with the cost of moving to Charlotte for the fellowship.

Please submit a resume, cover letter and list of three references with your application.

Please ensure your full range of knowledge, skills, abilities, experience and education are listed on your application.

Temporary staff employees are ineligible to receive benefits (leave, health coverage, State service credit, etc.). They are, however, covered by Worker’s Compensation provisions.

However, any non-permanent employee hired to work 30 or more hours per week for three months or more (cumulative of all positions, and not designated as variable hour worker), must be offered the chance to enroll in the High Deductible Health Plan, within 30 days of their eligibility. Any non-permanent employee hired to work less than 30 hours per week (cumulative of all positions, or designated as variable hour worker – i.e. student workers) are measured during designated measurement periods. If they average 30 or more hours per week over a designated measurement period, they will be offered the chance to enroll in the High Deductible Health Plan, and will be notified of instructions.

Special Notes Regarding Eligibility for the High Deductible Health Plan