Department of History & Classics

Richard Burton Archives

Week of Work

2015-2016

STUDENT INFORMATION PACK

Contact:

Dr Evelien Bracke

Contents:

Aims of project:3

Week of Work

Introduction to the Richard Burton Archives

Contact information

Student participation:4

Expectations of students

Expectations of the Archives

Completion of placement portfolio

Examples of training and work experience programme:5

Programme

Days and times available

Sign-in sheet 6

Aims of Project

  • Substantial and meaningful work experience in the archives sector to increase student employability.
  • Enhancement of students’ knowledge of Swansea University’s archive collections
  • Enhanced source/ideas base for level 3 dissertation
  • Public engagement in the form of on-goingor end-of-project blogs and / or other forms of social media.
  • Swansea Employability Award (

Week of Work

The Week of Work programme offers students a taster of businesses and gives employers an opportunity to bring students’ dynamic talent to the business. It is a voluntary position aimed at shadowing an employee or taking on a project assistance role, providing valuable work experience and developing employability skills. The programme runs during January and the summer vacation period. The project involves completing a total of 35 hours of work which is split into 2 hours a week over the whole year or as agreed with the employer. Lunch for five days (up to £5) and reasonable travel costs are reimbursed.

Introduction to the Richard Burton Archives

  • The Richard Burton Archives is a corporate memory and archive repository of Swansea University and holds material of local, regional and national significance.
  • The Archives select, preserve and makes accessible the records of historical value created or acquired by the University.
  • The Archives have a variety of collections which fall into the following categories: Local Archive collection; Literary and Richard Burton collections; South Wales Coalfield Collection, and Swansea University records.
  • Through its holding and the expertise of its staff the Archives actively support the mission of the University to provide an environment of research excellence, to deliver an outstanding student experience with teaching of the highest quality, and to enrich the community and cultural life of Wales and beyond.

Contact information

  • Address: Richard Burton Archives, Library and Information Centre, Swansea University, Singleton Park, Swansea, SA2 8PP
  • Tel: 01792295021
  • Named contact: Elisabeth Bennett
  • Email:
  • Evelien Bracke: 07964 328039 (please use mobile phone only for this project) and

Student participation

Expectations of students

  • To commit to a minimum of one semester.
  • Dress appropriately.
  • Arrive on time and bring your sign-in sheet every time.
  • Contact the Archives if you are ill and unable to attend.
  • Keep good contact with me and the Archives.
  • Tell me if you are unhappy with anything about this project. I’m on your side.
  • Be polite, helpful, professional, responsible… and relaxed and enjoy the experience.

Expectations of Archives

  • Provide induction training and on-going support for students.
  • Follow anindividually tailored structured programme of training and work experience.
  • Offer students a variety of work experience and transferable skills.
  • Agree with students and myself a timetable of attendance.

Completion of placement portfolio award

  • Successful completion of either an interim blog post of the skills gained during the placement or a blog post about some aspect of the Archives’work or collections.
  • Successful completion of the programme of training and work experience components, see next section.
  • Satisfactory feedback from Archives staff.

Examples of training and work experience programme

  • Introduction to the nature of archival work
  • Cleaning documents
  • Repackaging documents
  • Numbering documents
  • Transcribing documents
  • Creating blog posts and features on documents
  • Creating content for social media
  • Assisting with office administration
  • Assisting with enquiries

Available times and days - two students at any one time:

(These times are provisional and might yet change.)

On the week of work programme the 2 hours per week will be decided between the student and employer within the constraints of the opening times of the Archives.

Monday / Tuesday / Wednesday / Thursday / Friday
9.15-1.00 / 9.15-1.00 / 9.15-1.00 / 9.15-1.00 / 9.15-1.00
2.00-4.45 / 2.00-4.45 / 2.00-4.45 / 2.00-4.45 / 2.00-4.45

Swansea University

Project: Richard Burton Archives

Name:______

DATE / TIME IN / TIME OUT

1