Work experience

Hull History Centre is an innovator in bringing together the disciplines of local studies librarianship, conservation, local authority archives and university archives together into one research centre. We offer a special insight into working in any of these professions combined with gaining a unique experience of the different services working side by side. This is one of the best opportunities you could have as an introduction to your career in heritage.

Normally applicants will be considering going on to enrol on a programme of study in one of our professional areas. Sometimes applicants have already begun a course of study.

We take each volunteer’s interests and study areas into consideration when designing a work experience programme.

Due to high levels of demand the availability of work placements is limited.

Commitment
Placements tend to involve a regular time commitment during standard working hours. While placements generally involve the volunteer coming in each week for a set amount of time, the duration of the placement can vary.

Training and Opportunities
The type of work involved can be tailored where possible to the volunteer’s needs. Here are some examples:

Archives volunteers:

• Listing contents of collections.
• Repackaging and re-boxing collections.
• Learning about the principles of archive administration.
• Selecting items for outreach and exhibition activities.

Local Studies Library volunteers:

• Preparing indexes for the collections.
• Assisting researchers.
• Selecting items for outreach and exhibition activities.
• Finding and recording additional information about collections.

Preservation and conservation volunteers:

• Repacking and re-boxing collections
• Cleaning collections
• Learning about practical preservation and conservation techniques
• Using spreadsheets to monitor collections

What is it like to volunteer with the History Centre?
Read a volunteer’s account in the Case studies section.

To apply for a role you should complete the application form available from the register your interest page.