Question of the Week
Thank you for your interest in volunteering at the Historical Society of Pennsylvania. Volunteering your time and talents is a powerful way to change the world and change your life. Add yourself to a growing list of people who care about their communities by volunteering for an organization that supports the community and preserves our history.
Our list of volunteer opportunities changes frequently. Please visit this site often to find the opportunity/project that suits your interests and schedule. We want your time at the Historical Society to be fulfilling.
If you believe one of these positions would be right for you, please send an e-mail to the contact listed below, stating your skills, hours available to volunteer per week, and your time commitment (a few weeks, months, etc.). One of the staff members will respond. Thank you for considering volunteering at HSP.
Education
Those interested in volunteering in Education should see the opportunities listed in Internships. Those tasks also can be undertaken by a volunteer.Contact: Beth Twiss Houting
Library
One or more volunteers are needed to assist in a collections move in advance of renovations and installation of compact shelving in storage vaults.
Volunteers will work closely with HSP staff member to move fragile collections from vault shelving onto library carts, and to reshelve these items in new storage space. Assist in adjusting shelf heights to accommodate bound manuscripts and rearranging volumes by format and date. Hours are flexible within normal business hours but a regular schedule is desirable.
Minimum skills needed:
- Museum/library and collection handling experience a plus
- Personable, hard working, with an interest in history
- Physical requirements: Requires use of platform ladders. Standing, bending, and reaching. Exposure to dust and dirt (dust masks available).
- Background check requiredPlease e-mail cover letter and c.v. to
Please e-mail cover letter and c.v. to Karen Schoenewaldt, Compact Storage Project Collections Coordinator, by December 11, 2013.
Public Services
Analysis of Collection Use:
Volunteers needed to measure how frequently researchers use specific manuscript collections, in order to assist both Conservation in determining preservation requirements and Archives in determining processing priorities. The volunteer would take a weekly survey of the call slips by listing those slips received each Wednesday night. This is a six-month project.
Contact: Sarah Heim There are no volunteer opportunities in this department at the present time. Please check back later.
General Library Assistance:
Volunteers needed to assist at the reference desk and in the Reading Room, to reshelve books in the open stacks, and to complete photocopy orders. Work on other library projects possible as need arises.
Contact: David Haugaard
Cataloging
The HSP Cataloging Department does not currently have any openings for new volunteers, but please watch this space for possible openings in the coming months.
Archives
The HSP Archives Department does not currently have any openings for new volunteers, but please watch this space for possible openings in the coming months
