Digital Asset Management Assistant

Description

SUMMARY: Reporting to the Digital Asset Management Librarian (DAML), the Assistant enhances discovery and use of the Newberry's online collections and supports the Newberry’s digital asset management program. The Newberry’s online collections include digitized books, maps, manuscripts, photographs, postcards, and artwork as well as born-digital collections, metadata, and data sets. The Assistant prepares and adds new content and metadata in the Newberry’s digital asset management system (DAMS) and Internet Archive, and performs quality control tasks for digital files. The Assistant has technical skills relevant to digital libraries and asset management and is a proactive, quick learner, with a strong sense of curiosity and enthusiasm for acquiring skills in new technologies. 

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Prepare, edit, and ingest files (from local servers, hard drives, Internet Archive, ContentDM, vendors, and other sources) into Orange Logic Cortex, the Newberry’s DAMS at https://collections.newberry.org/; 
• Conduct quality control for digital files post ingest and resolve problems;
• Assist Digital Services team with ingest of newly created digital content;
• Use APIs, command line Python scripts, and other semi-automated workflows developed by the DAML to extract and prepare information (from MARC records, legacy Dublin Core records, finding aids, inventories, crowdsourcing projects, and OCR processing) and create Dublin Core metadata; recommend improvements to workflows and document changes;
• Ensure compliance with standards and best practices by performing DAMS clean-up and enhancement tasks assigned by DAML, which include correcting standardized vocabulary terms, identifying and correcting mismatched metadata, standardizing filenames, correcting objects in wrong order, user and object permissions, and communicating with vendor and service provider about system defects;
• Upload digital content and metadata to Internet Archive collection at https://archive.org/details/newberry;
• Troubleshoot staff and user help requests with using the DAMS and assist with customer orders for digitized content;
• Work with colleagues in Collection Services and Modern Manuscripts and Archives to create links to DAMS content from finding aids and Newberry catalog;
• Work with DAML and other DIS colleagues to prepare and incorporate DAMS content into participatory archives initiatives and on metadata clean-up projects for user-submitted transcriptions, subject tags, map coordinates, etc.;
• Assist DAML in preparing documentation and training for Newberry staff with varied technical skills and DAM system needs;
• Compile DAMS and Internet Archive reports and statistics to support departmental planning and outreach, and;
• Perform all other job-related duties and special projects, as assigned. 

QUALIFICATIONS:          

• Bachelor’s degree preferred; prior coursework or experience in digital humanities, library and information science, computer science, or related field required. 
• Strong computer skills, proficiency working in Microsoft/Windows environment, advanced experience using Microsoft Excel, and demonstrated facility for learning new concepts, skills, and technologies required.  
• Experience with digital library systems and standards, including metadata standards (esp. Dublin Core, LCSH, FAST), content management systems, and/or digital publishing platforms preferred.  

• Some experience using common web technologies and scripting languages (APIs, PHP, XML/XSLT, CSS, and/or JavaScript) required.  
• Experience with image editing software, e.g. Photoshop, preferred. 
• Ability to complete tasks independently, while understanding when to seek guidance.  
• Ability to work in a team environment where consultation, flexibility, and collaboration are essential.  
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, organizational skills, and attention to detail. 
• Interest in the Newberry’s mission, collections, and audiences. 

SCHEDULE: This is a full-time, nonexempt position, working 35 hours per week, with normal hours generally from 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday. While a remote work arrangement is possible, the incumbent will primarily work onsite.