Digitization Project Librarian

The Atlanta University Center Robert W. Woodruff Library is looking for a highly motivated individual to broaden access and the discoverability of Historically Black College and University’s cultural heritage collections in a full-time, temporary position. Working with the Digital Services Department, Archives Research Center, and the HBCU Digital Library Trust Program Officer, the Digitization Project Librarian is responsible for coordinating and managing a digitization service hub for HBCU Libraries located at the AUC Woodruff Library in support of the HBCU Digital Library Trust initiative. The services provided will serve as a model for sustaining and deepening the capacity for digitizing, discovering, and preserving collections at HBCUs.

ABOUT THE ROLE:

The Digitization Project Librarian will coordinate and implement in-house digitization, metadata creation, and online access of a range of unique and original archival materials, including but not limited to photographs, documents, publications, and audio and video formats from HBCU Libraries located around the U.S. The incumbent will also support participating libraries as they prepare collections for digitization, including basic archival processing and preservation techniques. The incumbent will coordinate the outsourced digitization of audiovisual formats, including working with commercial vendors as needed.  The Digitization Project Librarian will report to the Assistant Director for Digital Services throughout the three-year project, oversee the work of project staff and students, and coordinate with Archivists and HBCU Digital Library Trust staff.

THE IMPACT YOU WILL HAVE:

• Coordinate the digitization, metadata creation, and online access of original archival materials (documents, manuscripts, photographs, and negatives, bound volumes, publications, audiovisual formats) received by participating HBCUs following professional standards and institutional best practices.
• Establish efficient and effective project workflows and standards to ensure the safety and security of collections while onsite for digitization.
• Lead conversations with HBCU leaders about potential partnerships.
• Support participating institutions as they prepare archival materials for digitization, including assisting with identification, gathering and ensuring the safe transfer of materials to Hub, copyright review, and employing basic preservation measures.
• Oversee and perform in-house digitization of original archival collections; ensure the quality of master images, edit images as needed, and create derivate images for access. Coordinate outsourced digitization of time-based audiovisual content, including creating RFPs, working with vendors, managing timelines, and conducting quality control.
• Oversee the creation of item-level descriptive metadata for various original archival materials (documents, manuscripts, photographs, negatives, bound volumes, publications, audiovisual materials) following professional standards and library best practices.
• Ensure the overall quality of all digital curation activities, including the creation of preservation and access images, file naming, file type(s), image quality, collection, and item-level metadata, and ingest into the content management system.
• Work with Digital Services and project staff to create digital collections, ingest metadata, and access images in the online CONTENTdm repository.
• Serves as administrator of the HBCU Digital Collections’ CONTENTdm platform including managing a migration.
• Supervise and assist in the training of project staff and student assistants.
• Assist with developing training and outreach materials related to the project including articles, presentations at professional conferences and blog posts.
• Potentially help set up and equip a secondary scanning HUB at another HBCU location.
• Participates in team meetings, provides status updates, and project reports.
• Serves as the liaison between Harvard project personnel and AUC Woodruff Library.
• Other Duties as Assigned

WHAT YOU BRING TO THE ROLE:

• Strong written and verbal communication and computer skills.
• Ability to work independently and effectively as part of a team.
• Experience with standard office software, such as Microsoft Office applications such as Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, and Google tools.
• Experience with project management practices, software, and tools.
• Sensitivity in handling fragile archival materials.
• Strong attention to detail.
• Demonstrated knowledge of 20th century African American history, literature and culture, highly desirable.
• Five years of experience working in an archival repository or library with experience managing complex digitization projects.
• Supervisory experience.
• Demonstrated knowledge of processing and preserving archival collections, including standards and best practices.
• Experience operating various scanning hardware and image editing software, including Adobe Photoshop and Abbyy FineReader.
• Demonstrated knowledge of metadata standards for describing digital collections including Dublin Core, MODS, EAD.
• Experience with institutional repositor digital content management and platforms for digital collections including CONTENTdm.
• Knowledge of digital preservation workflows and best practices.
• Ability to work independently and as a team member involving multiple institutions.
• Knowledge and experience with project management techniques and tools, including software, are preferred.
• Experience working with archival digitization vendors is preferred.

EDUCATION:

ALA-accredited master’s degree in Library and Information Science or advanced degree with experience relevant to the position.

WHAT WE OFFER:

Hybrid onsite/remote work after the first 90 days Salary commensurate with experience Relocation assistance Benefits include medical, dental, vision, life, and company-paid disability plans. Company match retirement plan (TIAA-CREF).

The Robert W. Woodruff Library is an Equal Opportunity Employer. To learn more about our Library, visit us online at www.auctr.edu.

Interested applicants should submit a letter of application and resume online using this link.

The Salary Range is $65,000 – $78,000