Digital Archivist

Alfred University seeks a collaborative, creative, and service-oriented Digital Archivist to develop and lead this newly created position to build a born-digital records program in support of the Archives' wider collecting initiatives and to build upon the current digitization program. The role is a 10-month, tenure-track faculty position reporting to the Dean of Libraries, serving as the Team Co-Leader of the Alfred University Libraries Archives Team, along with the University Archivist.

Salary: $53,000-$56,000 annually, depending on experience.

Responsibilities:

Working in a highly collaborative environment, this librarian is responsible for providing leadership, vision, and oversight for digital assets across two campus library locations, Samuel R. Scholes Library and Herrick Memorial Library. The Digital Archivist will be responsible for implementing a robust and sustainable digital preservation and digital archiving program that covers born-digital and digitized holdings; will facilitate appraisal, acquisition, and transfer of born-digital materials to the Archives; will work closely with the University Archivist and relevant librarians to develop and implement university-wide policies, procedures, and workflows for processing and preserving digital collections; and will be responsible for the management and creation of born-digital and hybrid collections. The Digital Archivist will perform outreach and education activities across Alfred University to facilitate engagement with the archive collections and build donor and user relationships.

This position will supervise the Archives Coordinator, provide outreach and teaching related to primary source literacy and digital collections, be assigned as a subject-based liaison to relevant departments such as Communication Studies, and collaborate on the management and development of the Archives' web presence. The Digital Archivist will align their work with the Society of American Archivists' Statement on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion to integrate best practices and values into their activities in support of the university's mission. 

• Digital Archiving
  • Co-lead the Archives Team in collaboration with the University Archivist to provide leadership, strategic planning, and coordinated management of the archive collections.
  • Responsible for the development and leadership of the Digital Archives Program that covers born-digital and digitized holdings.
  • Collaborate with a wide range of constituents to establish collection guidelines and priorities for the Libraries’ born-digital and digitized collections.
  • Manage the lifecycle of born-digital and digitized records by developing, documenting, and implementing digital archiving workflows, procedures, and policies in support of the Archives’ wider collecting initiatives that cover appraisal, accession, arrangement, description, preservation, storage, digitization, and accessibility of the archives.
  • Responsible for leading and overseeing the digitization program of textual, photographic, audio-visual, and other materials.
  • Lead discussions amongst relevant Teams as they relate to archives, systems, public services, collections, information literacy, and scholarly communications.
  • Provide leadership and guidance on the preservation and transfer of born-digital and digitized materials.
  • Collaborate on the management and development of the Archives' web presence.
  • Supervise the Archives Coordinator, coordinating projects and tasks with the University Archivist.
  • Provide leadership, mentorship, and training to student workers, interns, and graduate assistants on the preservation and transfer of born-digital and digitized materials.
  • Manage the Libraries’ locally created digital materials, taking a lead role in the creation, curation, maintenance, and stewardship of digital collections, including the digital reformatting of diverse collection materials and formats from the archive and special collections (manuscript documents, photographs, bound volumes, oversize, sound recordings, video recordings, etc.).
  • Oversee the creation of new digital collections and continue to build the current collections using established metadata practices.
  • Build and maintain relationships with campus offices and departments to promote awareness and to identify and acquire relevant born-digital records.
  • Manage statistical reporting as related to digital collections and digital assets.
  • Keep abreast of emerging technologies and monitor rapidly changing standards and practices for digital content creation and management.
  • Provide expertise and training sessions on workflows, tools, and best practices to support the management and preservation of digital content.
  • Perform digital preservation tasks to ensure the integrity and long-term preservation of digital assets.
  • Assess content on obsolete formats and legacy digital media and migrate data when necessary.
  • In coordination with the University Archivist, provide on-site and virtual research assistance to patrons.
  • Promote awareness and use of the Archives through physical and virtual exhibits, presentations, articles, social media, local media, and other outlets.
  • Coordinate with the Systems Team to plan, implement, and manage systems, equipment, and software related to digital collections, including repositories and digital asset management systems.
  • Collaborate with the Systems Team to maintain necessary technical support and to plan for sufficient file storage and digital preservation actions.
  • Consult on the appropriate presentation of born digital material for instructional and research use and exhibits.
• Librarianship
  • Engage in professional development, scholarship, and service, in accordance with University standards for promotion and tenure.
  • Maintain active involvement in the library profession and contribute to the advancement of information science and practice through scholarly work
  • Serve on the Libraries’ Information Literacy Team, and design, teach, and assess course integrated information literacy instruction sessions particularly as they pertain to primary source literacy.
  • Lead as liaison to relevant departments such as Communication Studies, based on interest and/or expertise, providing research assistance and outreach.
  • Participate in AU Libraries’ Personal Librarian program.
  • Serve on the Libraries’ Scholarly Communication Team.
  • Serve on Library, College, and University committees.
  • Assist in the formulation of library policies, and contribute to the development of library services responsive to the needs of the campus curriculum and users.
  • Actively participate in library planning initiatives.
  • Engage in educational opportunities and work to increase awareness and understanding of diversity and inclusion.
• Other Duties:
  • This position will involve occasional travel for professional development and training.
  • Commitment to support the Libraries’ values of free and open pursuit of knowledge; support for intellectual and cultural diversity; innovation, collaboration, and creativity; excellent service; and effective communication.
  • Safety: Participate in safety training and comply with safety rules, regulations, and protocols.
  • Perform additional duties and assist with special projects as assigned.

Requirements:

• MLS/MLIS from an ALA-accredited institution or international equivalent.
• Significant coursework or other training/certification in digitization, digital preservation, and digital archives.
• Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI} efforts, particularly anti-racism and anti-oppression, in libraries and higher education.
• Knowledge of key operations for born-digital archives, including appraisal and selection; accessioning; preservation; and access.
• Knowledge of standards, best practices, and principles in the fields of digital technologies, digital asset management, digital curation, digital forensics, metadata standards, information architecture, as well as the ability and desire to continue cultivating expertise in these areas.
• Familiarity with current technologies and software used in digital archive environments.
• Commitment to ongoing professional development.
• Strong project management and problem-solving abilities.
• Excellent collaboration, customer service, and communication skills.
• A high degree of technical facility, and the demonstrated ability to learn new technical skills.

Desired Qualifications:

• Experience working with digital collections, systems, and tools.
• Experience managing digital projects.
• Experience with cataloging and metadata standards.
• Experience preserving born-digital materials, including websites, email, and social media.
• Awareness of digital scholarship and digital humanities.
• Society of American Archivists' Digital Archives Specialist Certificate.
• Knowledge of legal and ethical issues affecting privacy, records restrictions, and access, as they pertain to born-digital materials.
• Ability to articulate highly technical concepts and requirements to a variety of audiences.
• Demonstrated ability to develop written project documentation, process procedures, reports, etc. and training staff.
• Supervisory and/or mentoring experience

Application Process:
Review of candidates will begin on April 5, 2024 and continue until the position is filled.

For further information regarding this position, contact the search committee chair Kevin Adams [email protected].

A complete application will include:

• Resume/Curriculum Vitae
• Cover letter outlining how your qualifications and experience will prepare you for success in this position.
• A brief statement (up to one page) describing your vision for the future of digital archives and the role they will play in libraries and higher education.
• Contact information for three professional references (address, phone number, and email). References will only be contacted at the finalist stage.

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Alfred University actively subscribes to a policy of equal employment opportunity, and will not discriminate against any employee, student or applicant because of race, age, sex, color, sexual orientation, gender identification or expression, physical or mental disability, religion, ancestry or national origin, marital status, genetic information, military or veteran status, domestic violence victim status, criminal conviction status, political affiliation or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. Protected veterans, minorities and women are encouraged to apply.