Digital Repositories & Records Archivist

Description

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The Digital Repositories & Records Archivist  builds the University Libraries' growing digital repository programs that include  the University of Minnesota's institutional repository, the University Digital Conservancy (UDC); the Data Repository for the University of Minnesota (DRUM) for the Libraries' Data Management & Curation Initiative; and the electronic records program of the University of Minnesota Archives within the broader context of the Archives  & Special Collections strategic effort in digital archives.  The Digital Repositories & Records Archivist participates in designing, refining, and implementing workflows and procedures to improve efficiency and quality in acquiring and accessioning electronic records, providing curation, and the collection management and preservation of other born-digital materials in support of serving the University's mission of creating and sharing knowledge through broad access to information resources in published or unpublished form.  The Digital Repositories & Records Archivist integrates how technologies, processes, resources, and people fit together in order to sustain the digital repository solutions.  The Digital Repositories & Records Archivist is a functional expert in digital repositories and digital records processing.

The position reports to the University Archivist and University Digital Conservancy Co-Director.

PRIMARY FUNCTIONS:

Repository Management

• Serves as primary contact for new users inquiring to submit content to the University of Minnesota's institutional repository, the University Digital Conservancy (UDC), and the Data Repository for the University of Minnesota (DRUM).
• Provides expert repository and reference services for questions or comments submitted via the repository contact form or email accounts, and directional services for frequently asked questions.
• Creates new collections and descriptive information; Enacts submitter authorizations and metadata template creation within the repository; Provides consultation for distributed content producers.
• Manages repositories and user/submitter requests within the established policies and procedures; Consults with repository directors on higher-level inquiries to maintain consistency in responses and policies.
• Serves as the data services coordinator for DRUM; Identifies curation tasks for data submissions; Works with the Data Management and Curation Lead to process submissions.
• Designs and implements workflows to manage a wide variety of materials, formats, producers, and metadata needs for ingest into the repositories.
• Identifies, evaluates, and recommends technological solutions to maintain, enhance, or improve repository workflows and management of repository content.
• Creates  new repository collections, uploads  content, and provides original metadata cataloging  for small projects  and/or single uploads;  Updates  existing metadata records for minor editing  as needed.
• Works with Data Management & Access staff to set-up workflows and metadata guidelines for larger upload projects; Serves as liaison between DMA and content providers to establish project and timeline expectations.
• Coordinates collection management and technical processes with Digital Library Services (DLS) on strategic digitization and born-digital projects that have a corresponding relationship with the UDC and University Archives.
• Liaisons with the Digital Preservation & Repository Technologies unit to report repository software  issues,  to relay configuration requests,  and to manage  materials within the overall principles and objectives  of the Libraries'  Digital Preservation Framework.

Digital Acquisition

• Securely transfers born-digital institutional records requiring long-term preservation and merit sustained access in the UDC or the University Archives. 
• Builds relationships with campus departments, centers, and units to encourage distributed deposit of institutional content into the UDC or to establish scheduled electronic transfers to the University Archives.   
• Manages web archiving program of the UDC/University Archives; Leverages web archiving tools (e.g., Archive-It) to identify and capture at-risk institutional content.

Digital Processing

• Performs pre-accessioning evaluations on new deposits by surveying materials and documenting provenance information. 
• Transfers digital files to processing workstation and creates transfer documentation.
• Evaluates content of electronic records with special focus on personal identifying information (PII) or otherwise restricted material. 
• Provides arrangement and description of born-digital materials as needed; consults with archivist or curator for final appraisal. 
• Applies digital preservation services  to newly acquired content at the point of ingest to the repository  including reformatting or migration  of non-standard/proprietary file formats when appropriate; optimization of files and removal of security features  that inhibit future preservation actions, virus scanning,  file extension/zipped content review; and fixity checking during  submission process. 
• Prepares Archival Information Packages {AlPs) for institutional, data, or preservation repositories.

Instruction & Outreach

• Creates instruction materials for the University community to understand the services digital repositories provide research and instruction. 
• Maintains accuracy of instructional materials provided to the Libraries' community via repository toolkits and staff websites. 
• Collaborates with library liaisons to increase awareness and demonstrate value of repositories to faculty members. 
• Provides individual and group demonstrations of repository functionality for both the preservation of content and searching for resource material.

Program Operations

• Represents digital repository and electronic record processing services on Libraries-wide committees or groups. 
• Participates in data curators meetings with digital records management expertise and update DRUM curation procedures as needed.   
• Collects, analyzes, and prepares statistical reports documenting incoming collections, repository content, use, and feedback.