Recollection Wisconsin Digitization Initiative: Student Information

We’re partnering with Wisconsin local history organizations around the state to digitize new collections. We’re looking for motivated information school students (that’s YOU!) to complete scanning and metadata work for a Wisconsin local history organization, public library or museum (our host sites!). Completed projects will be publicly accessible in Recollection Wisconsin (that’s US!). It’s a hands-on opportunity to put theory into practice!

Student participants will:

  • be a degree-seeking student enrolled in the UW-Madison iSchool, UW-Milwaukee SOIS or a similar program,
  • receive practicum or independent study credit depending on your program’s requirements,
  • earn a generous stipend ($2,500) and reimbursement for travel expenses (mileage),
    *see travel reimbursement policy for details
  • gain training and experience related to digitization best practices, digital preservation, collection development, and metadata,  
  • attend a program launch and training event, and meet regularly with the Initiative coordinator, 
  • receive an orientation to their host site’s organization and collections, 
  • write basic digitization workflows and project documentation for their host site, and 
  • write at least one blog post about their experience, published on the Recollection Wisconsin website. 
  • receive weekly curriculum to support digital project work

Ideal participants will have had at least one course or some experience in digital curation or preservation, archives work, collection development or project management. Some students will likely travel to their host site to complete this project work. We welcome students enrolled in either in-person or online programs.

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS

The application period for fall 2026 and spring 2027 is open! We are accepting applications for fall 2026 and 2027! Fill out this brief application. We’ll be in touch to schedule an informal (virtual) interview in in spring or summer 2026.

Application timeline

  • Mar 1: Application period closed for summer 2026 cohort
  • Mar 15: Placements/matches made, participants notified
  • Apr 1: Participation agreement signed and project planning worksheet started for summer 2026 cohort
  • May 1: Fall 2026 cohort placements/matches made, participants notified
  • May 27: Training workshop in Madison, Wisconsin for summer 2026 cohort
  • June 1: Summer 2026 cohort begins
  • Aug 15: Summer 2026 cohort ends
  • late Aug: Training workshop in [TBD] for fall 2026 cohort
  • Sept 1: Fall 2026 cohort begins

Information for students [printable PDF]

Questions? Contact Vicki Tobias (vicki@wils.org). JOIN US!

Each project and host site placement is different. For more insight into their experience, hear from our most recent student interns: