Opportunities From: FiskServe Platform

This ongoing Professional Development series supports the mission of the John Hope & Aurelia E. Franklin Library by strengthening participants’ information literacy, historical research, and archival engagement skills. Through hands-on sessions in the library’s computer lab, participants will gain guided experience using library research tools, archival databases, and digital resources while contributing to research and exhibit-based public history initiatives connected to Fisk University’s institutional and Civil Rights legacy.

This PD opportunity runs throughout the Spring 2026 semester and emphasizes research confidence, source evaluation, archival interpretation, and collaborative learning.

Participants will:

Develop foundational and advanced information literacy skills using library databases and research platforms

Learn effective strategies for locating, evaluating, and organizing scholarly and historical sources

Gain guided exposure to archival research practices related to Fisk University history and Civil Rights–era materials

Explore introductory principles of visual storytelling and exhibit-based research presentation

Strengthen documentation and citation practices for academic and public-facing projects

Engage collaboratively in research discussions and applied learning activities

Location: Basement Computer Lab (near IT), John Hope & Aurelia E. Franklin Library

Meeting Times: Tuesdays & Thursdays at 3:00 PM

Frequency: Twice per month

Program Dates:

Begins Tuesday, January 27, 2026

Continues through Thursday, April 16, 2026 (last day of instruction)

Participants may attend individual sessions or complete the full series to earn Professional Development hours.

Information literacy and database navigation

Archival research awareness and source evaluation

Organizational and citation management skills

Introductory digital design and visual research presentation (training provided)

Collaborative research communication

This Professional Development series is facilitated by Dr. Jessica Hanson, Assistant to the Librarian for Access Services.

The John Hope & Aurelia E. Franklin Library is seeking four (4) student volunteers to support Fisk Forever, a long-term digital preservation initiative dedicated to documenting, preserving, and expanding access to Fisk University’s institutional history.

The project focuses on the digitization of photographs, documents, publications, and other historical materials, transforming physical collections into sustainable digital resources. Through this work, Fisk Forever supports access, institutional memory, and responsible digital stewardship for students, researchers, and the broader community.

What Volunteers Will Gain

Volunteers will receive both theoretical and hands-on training in digital archiving and preservation, including:

This opportunity is ideal for students interested in archives, history, digital humanities, library science, public history, or cultural preservation, and for those seeking meaningful professional development experience.

How to Apply

To apply, please sign up for the volunteer opportunity. Once you have signed up, the Digital Library Coordinator, H. Joanna Soderberg will reach out with next steps and additional details.

Please note that this is an ongoing volunteer opportunity throughout the Spring semester. We kindly ask that you only sign up if you are able to commit to the time requirements for the duration of the opportunity.

Thank you for your interest—we look forward to working with you.

Looking for students who would like the opportunity to learn how to scan and digitize archival materials from Special Collections.