Digital Archivist

Description

Position Summary
The Earl Gregg Swem Library actively participates in the teaching and research missions of the College of William & Mary by providing services, collections, staff, and facilities that enrich and inform the educational experience, and promote a lifelong commitment to learning.

The Swem Library's Special Collections Research Center (SCRC) supports the College's teaching and research mission by collecting, preserving, describing, and making accessible original manuscripts, archival materials, digital records, rare books and periodicals, photographs, audiovisual materials, and other items relating to history and culture, emphasizing Virginia, the South, Williamsburg and William & Mary.

The Digital Archivist serves as the SCRC's expert relating to all aspects of digital collections and activities; and will take a lead role in the creation, maintenance, and stewardship of digital collections in the SCRC, coordinate the SCRC's archival management system, discovery tools, and online presence via the web and social media; perform regular archival duties including reference service, outreach activities, and instructional activities with classes visiting the SCRC.

Managing digital collections will include:

• Working with other special collections archivists and librarians to identify, acquire, and make accessible collections that were born digital as well as to create digitized collections based on the department's holdings and mission.
• Helping develop and implement workflows and processes enabling the effective acquisition, description, access, management and preservation of a broad range of digital content, including (but not limited to) digitized manuscripts¸ audiovisual materials, and photographs; university records; websites; and personal digital archives.
• Investigating, planning, and managing digital format conversions and migrations in conjunction with Library Information Technology staff.
• In conjunction with the Director of the SCRC, seeking grant funding for digital initiatives and managing digital projects.
• Serving as the department's expert on digitization and metadata standards.
• Training and supervising student workers, volunteers, and staff in creating metadata and digitizing materials.
• Managing discovery tools for the SCRC will include:
• Working closely with SCRC, Library Information Technology, and Content Services staff to implement and maintain discovery tools related to the SCRC's collections.
• Serving as the SCRC's expert on discovery tools, including remaining current with emerging standards and professional best practices.
• Training and supervising SCRC students and staff in using discovery tools and encoding finding aids with EAD.

The successful candidate will have:

• Demonstrated knowledge of digital archival and records management theory, practice, and experience with digital asset management systems such as DSpace or Fedora and with XML and digital content creation/transformation tools.
• Demonstrated knowledge of descriptive metadata standards including MARC, DACS, and Dublin Core and of data structure standards relevant to archival control of digital collection material (ex. EAD, MODS, or METS).
• Strong initiative and ability to work effectively as part of a team as well as individually.
• Working knowledge of basic office software applications.
• Effective organizational, interpersonal, and communication skills.
• Ability to plan, coordinate, and implement effective programs, complex projects and service.

The College conducts background checks on applicants for employment. 

Required Qualifications The successful candidate must possess a Master's degree in Library Science, Archival Science, or Information Science with an emphasis in archives and digital projects from an American Library Association accredited program or international equivalent, or a master's in a related program with an emphasis in archives and digital projects at the time of appointment.

At least two years' experience working with digital content in a special collections or archives setting; experience in using an archival management system such as Archon or Archivists' Toolkit; experience in digitizing special collections materials such as manuscripts and photographs and demonstrated knowledge of best practices and standards for digitization. Effective organizational, interpersonal, and communication skills. 

Preferred Qualifications Experience with Archon. Experience with DSpace. Experience providing reference services in a university special collections or archives setting.