Digital Technical Specialist

Description

About NYAM:

Established in 1847, The New York Academy of Medicine continues to address the health challenges facing New York City and the world’s rapidly growing urban populations. We accomplish this through our Institute for Urban Health, home of interdisciplinary research, evaluation, policy and program initiatives; our world class historical medical library and its public programming in history, the humanities and the arts; and our Fellows program, a network of more than 2,000 experts elected by their peers from across the professions affecting health. 

Department Summary:

The Academy is home to one of the most significant historical libraries in medicine and public health, with internationally known collections containing many of the primary formative texts of medicine. The Library is equally renowned for its extensive journal collection, comprising long runs of medical serials from around the world, and for its ephemeral materials in health and medicine. Archival holdings document the practice of medicine in New York from the 18th century to the present, and include the records of over 35 professional medical societies.

Founded in 1847 and open to the public since 1878, the Library is dedicated to building bridges among an interdisciplinary community of scholars, educators, clinicians, and the general public. It fills a unique role in the cultural and scholarly landscape of New York City through its collections, by providing research services, classes, and tours for diverse educational and professional groups, and through its public programs and activities. The Gladys Brooks Book and Paper Conservation Laboratory was established in 1982 with a mandate to care for the Academy collections.  

Summary and Description:

The New York Academy of Medicine’s Library is looking for a creative and technologically-oriented individual to serve as Digital Technical Specialist to work on digital projects focused on the development and growth of the Library’s digital program. 

The position involves learning and working on the full development lifecycle of the digitization process and taking a lead role on digital projects. The position includes managing and scanning materials for digitization, conducting pre- and post-production work for digitization, developing and managing metadata for digital collections, working with conservators and other preservation specialists for condition assessments, and creating and managing digital collections websites. In addition, this position will participate in the development of a robust digital preservation program, stacks maintenance, social media and other duties as assigned. 

The successful applicant will be imaginative, flexible, excited to learn, and looking to thrive in a changing workplace.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Learn and working on the full lifecycle of the digitization process
• Conduct pre- and post-production work for digitization 
• Create, collect and organize metadata for digital collections
• Develop digital collection websites
• Collaborate with conservators as needed to prepare materials for digitization
• Take a leading role in digital preservation projects and digital repository maintenance
• Participate in grant writing for digital projects
• Participate in social media activities, including writing blog posts
• Obtain digital training as needed through classes, webinars, or online tutorials
• Other tasks as necessary 

Qualifications and Experience:

• MLS degree from an ALA-accredited library program with a focus on digital libraries or a combination of education, training, and experience in website development
• Two or more years of experience in a library setting.
• Knowledge of technology, website development, image editing software, content management systems and related digital tools
• Knowledge of digital preservation
• Familiarity with metadata standards (MODS, Dublin Core, IPTC etc.)
• Experience with digital project management

  The New York Academy of Medicine is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer.