Digital Imaging Specialist

Description

Position Summary

Reporting to the Digitization Manager, the Digital Imaging Specialist supports the Digitization Unit's library-wide digitization efforts by producing high-quality digital images of library and special collection materials, which are often unique, fragile primary source materials. The Digital Imaging Specialist is responsible for the digitization process from image capture to post-capture image processing and metadata entry, all while ensuring a high degree of quality control. This position also supports all aspects of student assistant work, including hiring, training, scheduling, and supervision.

Primary Duties & Responsibilities

• Supports the Digitization Unit’s daily workflows by planning, tracking, prioritizing, and quality controlling multiple projects and tasks in order to meet the goals of the Digitization Unit and other deadlines as they arise.
• Determines optimal standards and methods for digitization of materials, including equipment and workflow selection.
• Hires, supervises, and trains Student Assistants in digitization procedures, quality control, and metadata creation.
• Maintains, configures, and calibrates the equipment, hardware, and software used in the Digitization Unit; troubleshoots and problem-solves to achieve the highest quality and efficiency.
• Establishes and follows digital production workflows and guidelines, and maintains shared documentation for project- and program-based work.
• Ensures consistent use of quality control guidelines and established digitization standards, including file formats, image resolution, file naming conventions, metadata standards, and more.
• Assists in creation and updating of policies, procedures, guidelines, and best practices for digital production, quality control, and project management by providing critical analysis and evaluation of the Digitization Unit’s current practices.
• Works collaboratively with team members to identify and implement digital capture methods, digital image processing procedures, and digital workflows.
• Works closely with the Digitization Manager and with various departments and collecting units, both within the libraries and across the University, to identify and prioritize digitization needs.
• Reports on the digitization program’s activities at departmental and library-wide meetings.
• Participates in library-wide and university-wide activities, committees, special projects and programs, as assigned.
• Maintains knowledge of developments in digitization standards and digital library practices. Represents the library in university, state, and national forums and meetings, in person and online. Performs other duties as assigned.

Working Conditions

• May be exposed to dust and mold.
• Must be able to travel to on and off campus locations.
• Must be able to lift 40 lbs.
• Occasional travel.

Preferred Qualifications

• Strong interpersonal skills with ability to work successfully in an intensely collaborative environment with a broad range of people from culturally diverse backgrounds including colleagues, administrators, students, faculty, donors, and alumni.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Excellent organization skills and effectiveness in balancing multiple assignments and projects.
• Master of Library Science.
• Familiarity with digital preservation methodologies and concepts related to image files;
• Knowledge of digital photography technical standards, including resolution, tonality, bit depth, color space, and recommended file formats for preservation and access images.
• Knowledge of digital library software/platforms such as Omeka or ARTstor Shared Shelf.
• Familiarity with advanced image processing and color management software such as Capture One and basICColor.

Required Qualifications

ALA Accredited MLS/MLIS or other subject MA (or higher degree) within one or more of the assigned subject disciplines.