UPDATE: Applications for the CVGA Residency are now closed.
The University of Michigan Library's Computer & Video Game Archive (CVGA) is seeking to fill up to three positions for CVGA Special Projects Residency in the areas of Game Preservation and Accessible/Adaptive Gaming for the Spring/Summer 2023 term (May - August 2023).
These residencies fulfill the dual mission of the CVGA to provide all users access to our game collection and preserve games for future research and scholarship, and provide students with an opportunity to learn and practice skills in a unique library/archive setting.
Digital Game Preservation
Our archive supports research and teaching in the fields of game studies, game design, and related scholarship. Archival quality preservation for old computers and video games is essential to our mission. The resident will familiarize themself with completed archival work done for floppy-disc and CD-ROM games, and then move forward with cartridge-based games and disc-based games for consoles. The resident will work with digital preservation specialists in the library and gain valuable experience in documenting and preserving the CVGA’s game collection.
Adaptive Technology for Gaming
We want to give everyone a chance to play and learn from the CVGA collection! For many students, connecting socially is an important factor in success at U-M and life. One way this happens is through gaming — both in person and online. For students with disabilities, barriers to social engagement can be overwhelming. Adaptive and assistive gaming technology from the CVGA is one way to break down these barriers. The resident will learn, teach, and document available technology and recommend additional technology, allowing students and other users with disabilities a chance to engage more fully with their peers; and identify and engage with other persons and departments on campus working in the space of adaptive and accessible gaming.
These are paid student residency positions, at $18/hr for 20 hrs/wk during a 14 week period. Under the supervision of the Video Game Archivist, residents will work a combination of on-site at the CVGA space in the Shapiro Library and remotely. These residencies are designed for students entering or currently enrolled in graduate programs at U-M (and may qualify for your academic internship), though upper-level undergraduates will also be considered.
Desired Qualifications:
- Experience with and curiosity about computer and video games from a variety of eras
- Familiarity with vintage computer systems and/or adaptive technologies
- Motivated learner and ability to learn and work independently
- Familiarity with libraries and archives
To apply, please fill out the form at this link: https://forms.gle/1DFjG4drdvMf43EKA . Review of applications will begin no later than April 24, 2023.
We welcome questions about these positions. Please email us at video.games@umich.edu.
About the CVGA
Founded in 2008, The Computer and Video Game Archive (CVGA) acquires, maintains, and makes available an extensive collection of video games, consoles, board games, and more, from the 1970s to today.
About STACS
Part of the University Library's Learning & Teaching division, Scholarly Technologies and Creative Spaces (STACS) is a community of library experts and learning spaces dedicated to facilitating creative, playful exploration and use of tools and technologies.
Our three spaces — the Computer and Video Game Archive, ScholarSpace, and the Shapiro Design Lab — strive to foster environments for discovery and bringing ideas to life.