Center for Primary Research and Training (CFPRT)
The UCLA Library created the Center for Primary Research and Training to integrate special collections materials more fully into the teaching and research mission of the university. The center pairs students with archival projects in their areas of interest, introducing them to archival practice through hands-on training, and their work results in making special collections materials more accessible to the research community. It was launched with a generous lead gift from the Ahmanson Foundation.
The Center for Primary Research and Training (CFPRT) seeks applications from graduate students for positions that will allow students to gain first-hand experience in working with archival resources. CFPRT scholars are able to work up to 35 hours per week during the summer quarter, Monday-Friday between 9am-5pm, and are paid $19.54 per hour.
To be considered for positions, please email the application below, in addition to a letter of interest and a CV or résumé to speltzman@library.ucla.edu.
Summer 2018 application deadline is May 18, 2018.
Position Descriptions
Digital Archives Program Scholar
The Digital Archives Program Scholar will gain hands-on training in digital archives, digital forensics, and born-digital file management. This may include imaging, processing, and preserving a variety of legacy media formats. The scholar will learn about working with automated, standards-compliant digital archival processing software. The scholar will also have the opportunity to be involved in the creation and implementation of digital archives workflows, produce documentation, conduct research, and learn and apply digital forensic concepts and techniques. The scholar will become familiar with standards and best practices for digital preservation including the OAIS Reference Model and will learn to translate these concepts from theory into practice; learn and apply knowledge of basic preservation techniques, and learn and apply knowledge of metadata & encoding schemas including Dublin Core, PREMIS and METS. The scholar may be called upon to aid in planning and implementation of special projects such as researching digital archives policies and practices at peer institutions or preparing digital archives-related training and educational material.
Preferred: demonstrated interest in digital imaging, processing, preservation, and/or forensics is strongly preferred but not required.
Possibility of continuation in 2018-2019 academic year.
Past Events
In celebration of the 10 year anniversary of t he Center for Primary Research and Training, UCLA Library Special Collections hosted a half-day symposium on October 24, 2014. The symposium featured presentations and remarks from nine current and former UCLA graduate students.
To see the schedule and the complete list of speakers, please visit http://cfprt.eventbrite.com.
Five Short Films about the Center
The UCLA Library has released five short films documenting the history of the center and highlighting four student projects:
Treasures of the UCLA Library: Colonial Mexican Manuscripts (part two of five)
Treasures of the UCLA Library: Cuneiform Tablets (part three of five)
Treasures of the UCLA Library: African American Collections (part four of five)
Treasures of the UCLA Library: Near Eastern Manuscripts (part five of five)
Written, directed, and produced by Erin Flannery, the films have been made possible with support from the Gladys Krieble Delmas Foundation, Irving and Jean Stone Endowment, and University Librarian Discretionary Fund.
What the Center Does
- enables students to conduct research using the immensely rich holdings of UCLA Library Special Collections, perhaps relieving them of the financial burden of conducting research elsewhere
- encourages broader and more innovative uses of original sources at UCLA
- encourages feedback from doctoral candidates and their faculty committees that will help the UCLA Library understand how scholarly resources can be developed for optimal use in the future
- promotes special collections as fundamental to UCLA's mission by emphasizing that scholarly research ultimately depends on the availability of primary sources
- enhances access to collections and backlogs, thus surfacing "hidden collections" and making holdings more visible online, following established standards for what constitutes adequate access
- utilizes the energy, ambition, and subject knowledge of students to fill gaps in expertise on the part of full-time staff, which is particularly important in an era of reduced staffing
- better informs UCLA administrators and faculty as well as members of the wider community about special collections holdings and the obligations and responsibilities an institution assumes when it undertakes stewardship of special collections materials.