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Help Unique Library System Preserve and Advance Cultural Heritages
On-site -- Sejny, Poland
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Ashoka Fellow: Krzysztof Czyzewski The Borderland Foundation Krzysztof Czyżewski is introducing a new civic space where citizens can peacefully discuss the conflicts that separate them. Focusing on educating a new generation of young people who are tolerant and sensitive to diversity in a contemporary world, Krzysztof is establishing a network of cultural and social centers that brings together local residents from diverse backgrounds to develop their communities. |
Description of Volunteer Opportunity
The Centre for Documentation of Borderline Cultures was established in 1991 as an integral part of Borderline of Arts, Cultures, Nations Centre in Sejny. Its goal is to gather, describe, make accessible and promote library collections on cultural heritage of Central and Eastern Europe, Caucasus, and Central Asia.
The Centre is a unique library and its size is proof of the quality and big number of beneficiaries: youth, students, researchers, journalists from Poland and other countries. Scholars, interns, visitors and private individuals seeking materials for articles and books, theses and dissertations all take advantage of the library. Film and music collections and the library are available for youth researching school essays, and many use it for their university admission exams. All visitors can use expert advice from Centre employees, who also attend to correspondence, publishers' and journalists' requests.
Learn more about the Centre at www.pogranicze.sejny.pl
Volunteers are needed in the magazine and press clipping lab, Judaistic Lab, Gypsyology Lab, Baltic Countries Lab, Eastern European Lab, Audio-visual and Film Labs.
Volunteers will engage in interesting work that will be highly beneficial for the Centre. They are needed to:
- systemize, scan and catalogue the volumes
- prepare notes for computer catalogue in the labs
- prepare bibliographies
- assist with thematic chapters on the Centre's website
The Centre needs volunteers on an ongoing basis who can work for at least two weeks at a time for 8 hours five days a week.
The Centre guarantees full access to all of their collections. They will assist in any research and practical issues to provide good working conditions, and guarantee free of charge access to technical equipment (computer with internet, printing and copying materials within limits of the institution rules). Borderline Centre gives the volunteer an opportunity to establish relationships with the Centre’s partners and participants in workshops, interns, researchers, students and journalists. There are opportunities to participate in art labs: pottery, audio with youth and kids from the region. Also opportunitie to get to know culture of Polish and Lithuanian cultures, tradition and history of multicultural region of Poland, as Sejny region certainly is.
Dates: Ongoing
Required Skills and Experience:
Passion, workability, engagement in tasks and patience. Computer skills, Preferably educated in Arts (completed or on-going) and general knowledge on history, culture, literature and arts of European and Asian countries.
Good knowledge of one of the Slavic languages (good understanding of written language) and fluent knowledge of Polish language (good writing). Knowledge of English will be welcomed.
Compensation: No
Housing: No
Contact:
Contact
Agata Szkopinska
How to Volunteer for this Opportunity
If you are interested in this opportunity, please complete the Ashoka Volunteer Form and send it directly to , copied to Beth Inabinett at , with Volunteer in the subject line.
If you are traveling abroad, we recommend you use the following Volunteer Checklist to clarify the details of your volunteer arrangement.