Jump to: Internship Program • Volunteer Opportunities  • Donations

Internship Program

Overview • Areas of Focus • Eligibility and Qualifications • Work Schedule • Application Process

Library intern processing archival collection. Thomas Balch Library Photographic Collection (VC RG07), Thomas Balch Library, Leesburg, VA.

Overview
An internship at Thomas Balch Library is a prearranged, structured learning experience scheduled within a specific time frame. The experience must be relevant to the intern's academic and professional goals and to research activities of the library. An internship is performed under the direct supervision of Thomas Balch Library professional staff in cooperation with a sponsoring college or university department.

Areas of Focus
The internship is designed to provide students with an opportunity to obtain practical experience in appraisal, arrangement, description, preservation, and other aspects of archival and special collections work, and to make important contributions to the Library’s mission to increase access to its holdings.

Subject to availability internships are available in the following areas:

• Archives and Manuscript processing
• Visual Collections processing
• Special Library projects
• Exhibits
• Reference requests

An intern’s main task will be to arrange, describe and re-house archival, manuscript or visual materials or organize, re-house and provide access to rare books or other print materials. The intern will conduct original research in order to produce finding aids, including a scope and content note, a brief historical note, and container/location list.

An intern may have an opportunity to co-curate and design a small exhibit of materials from the collections for the Library’s exhibit cases or for the Library’s website.

An intern may occasionally assist with answering reference requests and with other tasks in the reading room.
Eligibility and Qualifications
Internships are open to undergraduate students and graduate students who are currently enrolled in a degree-granting institution, have graduated from a degree granting institution in the last six months or having evidence that they have been accepted into a degree-granting post-graduate program within six months.

Excellent writing skills, attention to detail, dependability, ability to work independently and on a consistent schedule, understanding of primary sources and care in handling unique materials are required. It is helpful for applicants to have had training in archival practice or previous employment in a research library, and familiarity with Microsoft Office, Photoshop and scanning equipment.
Work Schedule
Interns are expected to work the hours required to fulfill their academic credit hours between 10am to 4pm Monday through Friday. Once hours are established interns are expected to work on a consistent schedule. 

Application Process
Internships, which are unpaid, are arranged individually and require a personal interview with the Library Director.  For consideration, submit the following materials to the Library Director at the address below. 

• Referral letter from academic advisor 
• Copy of course requirements 
• Cover letter and resume

Library Director
Thomas Balch Library
208 West Market Street
Leesburg, VA 20176
703-737-7195

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Volunteer Opportunities

Overview & Application Process • Variety of Opportunities 

Library volunteers at annual luncheon. Thomas Balch Library Photographic Collection (VC RG07), Thomas Balch Library, Leesburg, VA.

Overview & Application Process

Thank you so much for your interest in becoming a volunteer at Thomas Balch Library! We truly appreciate your willingness to contribute your time to our community. We're excited about the possibility of you joining our dedicated team. Volunteers have provided critical support for Thomas Balch Library since its establishment in 1922. Strong volunteer partnerships are essential for the Library to successfully carry out its mission. By welcoming individuals who wish to contribute time and expertise to specific areas of work within the library, our Volunteer Program offers challenging opportunities for behind-the-scenes activities.

To help you learn more about volunteer opportunities at the library and to answer any questions you may have, we're holding the following upcoming Volunteer Project Kick-Off session(s):  

• Thursday September 18, 2025   10am-12pm  Family Bible indexing
• Wednesday October 15, 2025    10am-1pm     League of Women Voters collection processing 
• More Volunteer Project Kick-Off sessions will be posted soon

We strongly encourage you to attend one of these sessions to see if volunteering at Thomas Balch Library a good fit for you.

During this session, you'll have the chance to:

• Learn about the various volunteer roles available.
• Meet current library staff and volunteers.
• Understand our library's mission and how volunteers play a vital role.
• Get acquainted with our library's resources and spaces.
• Ask any questions you may have about volunteering.

 You may also watch this recording of our Volunteer Orientation:  https://youtu.be/4oqJE_ESdbA

After watching the video, you can sign up for Project Kick-offs by emailing balchlib@leesburgva.gov. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out via email or call 703-737-7195. 

The Library does not accept court-ordered Community Service volunteers.

Variety of Opportunities

Volunteers work with staff members on both short and long-term projects. Opportunities are available in library, archives and manuscripts, and administrative offices. Placement is determined by matching volunteer qualifications, knowledge, interests, and availability with project requirements.

Volunteer opportunities include:

Library volunteers processing a collection. Thomas Balch Library Photographic Collection (VC RG07), Thomas Balch Library, Leesburg, VA.

• Archives and Manuscripts: organizing and storing paper materials, photographs, and audio tapes.
• Preservation of collections: creating protective storage containers, repairing books.
• Library: assisting with cataloging tasks, indexing, shelving, shelf reading.
• Reference and Research: providing research support for exhibits, staff projects.
• Special Library Projects.
• Technology: digitization, photography and videography.
• Visual Collections: processing photographic images and art work.

Donations

Part of Thomas Balch Library’s mission is to collect and preserve archival, manuscript, photographic, printed, cartographic, and genealogical documentation of Leesburg, Loudoun County, and the surrounding region. The Library actively seeks and welcomes donations documenting the life, culture, and history of Leesburg and Loudoun County. More information about what the Library collects and the donation process may be found in Donating items to Thomas Balch Library - What do we collect?

Questions? Contact us or call 703-737-7195.

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