Community Archive Application

NOTE - Members of the Community Archive are not compensated.

Due November 15, 2026, for Spring Semester 2027 

Thank you for your interest in the Education Justice Project Community Archive!  As a participatory community archive, we collect, preserve, and provide ethical access to records that document EJP’s history and support our members as they document and describe their own experiences.  We’re excited you might want to join us in this work.

While EJP maintains a closed physical collection on campus, our current focus is building our digital archive.  This includes creating digitized preservation copies of all analog material, establishing a sustainable preservation system for all digitized and born-digital material, and building an engaging public platform that facilitates meaningful access and engagement.  Possible member projects include, but are not limited to: digitizing material; cataloging; conducting oral history interviews; assisting in platform design; or facilitating community outreach events.  While some tasks are shared among all members, we are happy to work with you to build a role that best fits your interests and skill set.

Required Qualifications

• Excellent teamwork, communication, and organizational skills


• Proven dependability and reliability


• Understanding of the social and historical contexts of EJP’s work


• Thoughtfulness around the ethical complexities of documenting the lives and experiences of incarcerated people 


• Ability to attend regular meetings and required EJP training sessions

Preferred

• Experience working in a library, museum, or archive


• Current or completed coursework in archives, digital humanities, photography, media design, or computer science 

This is an unpaid position.  Depending on the project, this position could be hybrid or in-person and the hours flexible within YMCA building hours, which are typically weekdays 8am-7pm.  For those interested, some roles could include going to Danville Correctional Center.  According to Illinois Department of Corrections (IDOC) policy, if you are formerly incarcerated within Illinois or are actively visiting a friend or family who is incarcerated in IDOC, it is unlikely you will be able to receive IDOC clearance. Unfortunately, this is beyond our control. 

If you have any questions, please reach out to Rebecca Bott, Community Archivist, at [email protected].

Education Justice Project

1001 S. Wright

Champaign, IL 61820

217.300.5150

www.educationjustice.net