From: "Monette Bebow-Reinhard" <grimm1@bayland.net> Subject: RE: Policy regarding interns Date: Wed, 2 Jun 2010 18:02:55 -0500 Message-ID: <008801cb02a7$bd750d30$385f2790$@net>
We do have to trust them if we're going to use them, and we do have to give
them what we can trust them with. I contacted the local college which has
an anthropology department and asked to put a notice out that we'd like
interns, but we got no one. Problem is a lot of kids go home for the
summer. I should have broadened my scope with some other colleges. I had
nothing valuable to entrust, but wanted the help to get new eyes to learn
how to better present this site to the public. My suggestion is simply know
what you want interns for, and only take those on you feel comfortable with.
And lucky you!
Monette
Oconto Archaic Copper Museum
From: localhistory-request@listserve.uwec.edu
[mailto:localhistory-request@listserve.uwec.edu] On Behalf Of Don Jensen
Sent: Wednesday, June 02, 2010 3:59 PM
To: localhistory@listserve.uwec.edu
Subject: Re: Policy regarding interns
I am not sure what you meant with a couple of terms. You mention not being
sure you can trust them... I presume you mean trust them to make the
appropriate decisions, vs. trust them not to steal artifacts. When you say
they are being trained to evaluate, I presume you mean evaluate whether the
object appropriately should be in your collection or deaccessioned, rather
than mean assigning a dollar value to that particular object
My assumptions are based on idea that if you thought they might steal, you
would never have them as interns. Also, if, by evaluate, if you meant
dollars and cents, as perhaps for insurance purposes, of course I would
never let untrained interns do that.
So, assuming my assumptions, to be reasonably certain they were properly
idenifying objects and cataloging them appropriately, I would suggest
working closely with the interns for two or three days. See that they
understand exacty what procedures to follow, how and where to look to
identify unknown objects, etc., etc. After two or three days, they should
understand the basics. After that, they can use a cell phone to reach you
in your more distant office if they have specific questions. Then, perhaps
once a week, at random times, briefly drop in unannounced to see how things
are going. Additionally, I would ask for weekly tally of what they had
done, how many objects were catalogued, in which areas of the collection did
they involve. Additionally, if you do, in fact, have regular volunteers
who handle artifacts and are familiar with the cateloging process, perhaps
they could spend some of the time working with, and watching over, the
interns.
It is really great to have interns, even if they are only partially trained,
to take on projects that the regular staff and volunteers never seem to have
enough time to do.
--don jensen
kenosha history center BOD member.
----- Original Message -----
From: LCHS Curator <mailto:lchscurator@centurytel.net>
To: localhistory@listserve.uwec.edu
Sent: Wednesday, June 02, 2010 3:23 PM
Subject: Policy regarding interns
I have 2 undergraduate interns working with me this summer and would
appreciate some feedback from others regarding your policies regarding
interns. Specifically I am wondering about supervision: these two students
are being trained to evaluate and catalog a collection of artifacts on
location at a museum not connected to our offices. I plan to be with them
some of the time but not all of the time. One of the reasons for seeking
interns is to expand the amount of work being done in the collections, and
if I need to oversee them every minute it will defeat the purpose.
Am I making a big mistake? At present LCHS has no policy regarding interns
and their handling of artifacts, although volunteers do work with artifacts
in some situations. The students are being trained , and I will not leave
them on their own until I am satisfied I can trust them.
Thanks everyone!
Peggy Derrick, Curator
La Crosse County Historical Society
P.O. Box 1272
La Crosse, WI 54602-1272
ph. 608-782-1980