The Durst Organization
JOB TITLE: Information & Heritage Services Intern
DEPARTMENT: Information & Heritage Services
REPORTS TO: Manager, Information & Heritage Services
Who We Are:
Founded in 1915, The Durst Organization (www.durst.org) is a fourth-generation family real estate
company located in New York, NY. The Durst Organization builds, owns, and manages commercial and
residential properties, including One World Trade Center, Bank of America Tower at One Bryant Park,
and 4 Times Square (also known as the Condé Nast building). The Durst Archives program formally
began in 2008 as an initiative to provide information services that will serve the business operations of
The Durst Organization as well as to maintain the only concentrated collection regarding the company.
The Durst Archives are managed by the Durst Heritage and Information Services (DHIS) Department.
What We’re Doing:
To fulfill its mission, DHIS collects, describes, preserves, and makes accessible materials documenting the
history of The Durst Organization. These physical and digital materials include, but are not limited to,
photographs, documents, building models, maps, articles, postcards, audio-visual media, and artifacts.
To support these efforts, DHIS actively documents the site and construction history of buildings in the
portfolio.
The Progress Photo Collection:
DHIS has created the Durst Historical Database (DHD) as a customized collections management system
to organize and make accessible its collections. The DHD utilizes Collective Access
(www.collectiveaccess.org) open-source software to build a digital archive that will become a company
resource. The Durst Organization maintains a growing photograph collection of over 15,000 images,
spanning from the 1950s to the present. The images document the construction process, from predemolition to completion and alterations, for properties throughout the portfolio. The Durst Organization
seeks a motivated and detail oriented intern to assist with catalog entries for the Progress Photo
collection.
Project Duties and Responsibilities:
Create object catalog records for the Progress Photo collection with Collective Access software -Create
and select relevant metadata, keywords, and controlled vocabulary terms drawing from the Art &
Architecture Thesaurus, Library of Congress Subject Headings, and custom DHD Thesaurus
Attach geolocation information, including KML files, to the object records
Edit, update, and verify the quality assurance of existing object records for the Progress Photo
collection.
Migrate and upload digital images from the Progress Photo collection to DHD as required
Duration:
To begin in May 2014 for a period of approximately 14 weeks.
Requirements:
Enrollment in a library/information science, architecture, urban planning, historic preservation, or real
estate development graduate program
Demonstrated experience with library cataloging and collections management
Interest in New York City history, building construction, and/or real estate development
Familiarity with word-processing, data entry, and web-based computer programs
Careful attention to detail with effective written and verbal communication skills
Compensation:
This role is a paid position.
Application Process:
Interested applicants are asked to submit a cover letter that explains your interest in a corporate archive;
current resume; and three references (with contact information) to:
Meghan Cullen
[email protected]
Deadline for applications is April 20, 2014
Contact:
If you have any questions regarding this internship opportunity, please contact:
Ryan Donaldson, Manager of Heritage and Information Services, The Durst Organization
[email protected]
212-257-6586