Since Central European University was forced to relocate to Vienna (Austria), Blinken OSA Archives—one of the biggest units of the university remaining in Budapest—is mapping out new and innovative channels of communications and professional relations that would strengthen its ties to the mother institution. Supporting professional training and internships is just one of many attempts to adapt to this new situation.
Just before the start of the 2021 fall term, Katharina Heinz, Executive Assistant to the Director of CEU Library, based in Vienna, visited Blinken OSA for a two-week stay to learn about archival best practices and the organization’s professional activities.
When asked about her decision why she chose Blinken OSA as the hosting organization for an internship and professional training, Katharina gave two main reasons: firstly, the internship constituted a part of Katharina’s current academic training in Library and Information Studies at the University of Vienna; and secondly, having started at CEU Library one year ago, Katharina has been determined to learn more about CEU and the work and activities of the Archives. Therefore, by completing this training and internship at Blinken OSA, Katharina was able to fulfill her academic task and satisfy her personal and professional curiosity about the Archives at once.
In line with the open and welcoming institutional culture of Blinken OSA, Katharina was welcomed with a full program for her two-week stay. Robert Parnica, Senior Reference Archivist, has put together a schedule that covered all the important aspects of archival work. Due to the diversity of our institution, Katharina had the opportunity to get extensive insights into the archival work, as well as individual introductions from colleagues to the Library, Records Management, legal and administrative issues, the educational and outreach activities, archival and program communication, exhibitions and public programs, reference services, AV collections, our Human Rights Film Festival, etc.
Besides having been introduced to the core activities of Blinken OSA, Katharina was able to form professional relationships with colleagues that could pave the way for future professional cooperation of the two units of the University; the Archives and CEU Library.