Parish Collections Processing Initiative

Diocese of Burlington Archives Fall 2025 Internship Summary

Project overview:
The Archives of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Burlington is pleased to offer a comprehensive archival processing internship for the fall 2025 semester, specifically designed to align with Simmons University's graduate program requirements. This internship provides a graduate student in Library and Information Science with hands-on experience in professional archival practice while contributing meaningfully to the preservation and accessibility of diocesan historical materials.

Project Description: Parish Records Processing Initiative
The intern will undertake a substantial archival processing project focused on the diocese's parish papers collection, which comprises approximately 70 linear feet of historical materials documenting the activities, governance, and community life of parishes throughout Vermont. This collection represents a significant portion of the diocese's historical record and requires comprehensive professional attention to make it accessible for research and administrative use.

The project encompasses the full spectrum of archival processing activities, from initial assessment through final description. The intern will conduct a systematic survey of the entire collection to assess its scope, content, and condition, followed by developing a comprehensive arrangement and description plan based on established archival principles and DACS (Describing Archives: A Content Standard) requirements. Implementation will include physical reorganization and re-boxing of materials as needed, culminating in the creation of a professional finding aid that will be integrated into the diocesan archives' research infrastructure.