Digital Production and Metadata Librarian, Boston Athenaeum, Boston, MA

Posted January 16, 2024

Description:

Reporting to the N. E. H. Chief Technical Services Librarian, the Digital Production and Metadata
Librarian produces quality digital images of rare materials, performs post-capture enhancements, and ingests the digital images and accompanying metadata into the Boston Athenaeum’s digital repository (CONTENTdm). Other major responsibilities include documenting projects and processes, metadata creation, stakeholder communications, and maintaining the organization of digital files.
The Athenaeum has been reevaluating this mission critical role. Consequently, the chosen candidate will be a thought partner for the Chief Technical Services Librarian in shaping the contours of the position and working collaboratively on setting departmental operations. The position provides an ideal opportunity for the right candidate to grow their skill set and apply their imagination to achieve the Boston Athenaeum Technical Services Department’s long standing goals of preserving and improving access to library’s collections.

$55,000-$59,000/year

Duties:

• Operate digital imaging equipment to produce high-resolution images of rare materials,
  including books, prints, photographs, manuscripts, and paintings.
• Make post-capture decisions using Adobe CreativeSuite software as to composition,
  cropping, color correction, and alignment in accordance with digitization best practices.
• Ingest digital images and accompanying metadata into the Athenaeum’s digital repository
  (CONTENTdm).
• Responsibly handle and safeguard rare materials during transport to and from Digital Lab
  and during the digitization process.
• Coordinate with cataloging staff to ensure the quality of descriptive and technical metadata
  for digital surrogates, augmenting metadata to national and local standards as needed.
• Consult with Conservation staff on the proper handling of collection materials as needed.
• Work the Chief Technical Services Librarian in identifying collection material for digitization,
  coordinating workflows with other departments, prioritizing projects, setting a method of
  digitization, and determining a timetable.
• Maintain organization of the digital images, following naming conventions of folders and
  digital files.
• Ingest digital surrogates and accompanying, quality metadata into external platforms such
  as the Internet Archive and Digital Commonwealth.
• Create documentation for new departmental procedures and keep existing documentation
  up-to-date.
• Fulfill specialized patron requests (rights and Reproductions); digitize desired collection
  material as necessary; and maintain communication with patrons; and document requests
  using the Aeon system tracking software.
• Maintains current knowledge of digitization technologies and best practices.
• Additional job duties as assigned based on individual knowledge, skills, and abilities.

Required Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in Library and Information Science from an ALA-accredited institution
  required.
• Demonstrated ability in operating digital imaging equipment (DSLR camera, scanner
  hardware, and lighting techniques) required.
• Experience using Adobe CreativeSuite (Photoshop, Lightroom, and Bridge) for post capture
  digital image editing and enhancement required.
• Knowledge of digital asset management systems required (CONTENTdm preferred).
• Knowledge of content and cataloging standards (RDA, Dublin Core, and MARC) required.
• Ability to accurately carry out detailed procedures with minimal supervision required.
• Ability to plan and prioritize job responsibilities and tasks required.
• Effective written and oral communication skills required.
• Demonstrated ability to work in a team-based setting in a manner of collaboration,
  flexibility, and cooperation required.
• Commitment to fostering a workplace culture of diversity, and inclusion required.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience handling rare and fragile art objects and paper-based materials preferred.
• Knowledge of current trends and best practices in digitization (e.g. FADGI, IIIF) preferred.
• Coding capabilities preferred.
• Experience with tab-delimited files preferred.
• Knowledge of rights management and copyright issues related to digital surrogates
  preferred.

To Apply:

Please submit a Cover Letter and Resume using the following link:
https://workforcenow.adp.com/mascsr/default/mdf/recruitment/recruitment.html?cid=0c217
2f4-dddf-44f5-9300-133cc1de3cd2&ccId=19000101_000001&type=JS&lang=en_US
The Boston Athenæum is an equal opportunity employer. We welcome candidates who will
increase our diversity; we encourage candidates of color and all diverse candidates to apply and
are committed to hiring individuals who value a diverse and inclusive work environment. The
Boston Athenæum is also committed to providing access, equal opportunity, and reasonable
accommodation for individuals with disabilities in employment. To request a reasonable
accommodation, please contact HR Generalist Nora Conley at 617-720-7630 or
[email protected]