Allen earns summer internship to the Library of Congress

(May 16, 2013) LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Sophomore McConnell Scholar Victoria Allen will intern at the Library of Congress in Washington, DC, for 10 weeks this summer.
Allen earns summer internship to the Library of Congress

Victoria Allen, McConnell Scholar

Victoria Allen, a sophomore McConnell Scholar at the University of Louisville, has been awarded the Junior Fellow Internship at the United States Library of Congress. The Library of Congress is the oldest federal cultural institution in the country and is the largest library in the world.

A prestigious internship for graduate and undergraduate students, the Junior Fellowship allows students primary access to the library's expansive collections. Junior Fellows spend 10 weeks exploring digital initiatives and inventorying, cataloging, arranging, preserving and researching a backlog of special, legal or copyright collections in various formats. Allen will work in the Technical Services section of the library’s prints and photographs division.

“Victoria is well-qualified and well-positioned to make the most of this honor,” said Gary Gregg, director of the McConnell Center. “The Fellowship will help hone her writing and research skills, and her own fertile curiosity will help her make the most of her time in Washington.”

Allen has also been awarded a $3,000 stipend from the Library of Congress to cover her summer expenses.

“What a wonderful opportunity to learn about the mission of the Library of Congress, its varied programs, significant collections and impact on the library and archival professions,” said Deborah Skaggs, curator of the U.S. Senator Mitch McConnell and Secretary Elaine L. Chao Archives.

Allen, a native of Auburn, Ky., is pursuing a Bachelors of Arts in political science and history and a minor in social change. In addition to the McConnell scholarship, Allen has earned other academic accolades at UofL, including the merit-based Harlan and Porter scholarships. Allen is also an active member of Chi Omega sorority, an undergraduate shadow host and a Cardinal Ambassador.

By Mary Elizabeth Young, McConnell Scholar '16