Digitization Specialist

University of Kansas, United States

Updated: 3 months ago
Location: Lawrence, KANSAS

26873BR

Libraries-General


Position Overview

Reporting to the Digitization Coordinator, the Digitization Specialist plays a crucial role in the digitization and preservation of physical materials in the university's scholarly and archival collections. The Digitization Specialist follows best practices in library digital collections and supports the Libraries scanning and digital photography operations, particularly still image digitization, including but not limited to archival materials in a variety of formats, such as bound volumes, photographs and transparencies, manuscripts, and oversize items. The primary focus of this role is to convert analog resources into digital formats while ensuring the integrity and accessibility of these digital assets. This position supports access to KU’s unique and interesting holdings in a wide range of topics by the KU community, students, researchers, and the world through digitization for KU’s digital repositories, exhibits, and patron requests. The Digitization Specialist demonstrates a commitment to advancing diversity efforts in the Libraries and contributes to an inclusive environment.
The University of Kansas Libraries support a safe and inclusive environment for all members of our diverse communities at KU. We are committed to building a diverse and pluralistic workforce and strongly encourage applications from diverse candidates. This position will demonstrate a commitment to advancing diversity efforts in the Libraries and contributes to an inclusive environment.


Job Description

65% Image Capture and Processing
Digitization: Prepares materials for digitization in consultation with curators and other library personnel. Utilizes specialized equipment and software to scan, digitize, and capture high-quality images or documents from various formats, including books, manuscripts, photographs, and audiovisual materials. Captures digital representations of collection materials using a variety of hardware and software for research, exhibition, and publication. Creates documentation to track workflows and project progress.

25% Quality Control and Metadata Management
Quality Control: Conduct thorough quality assessments to ensure the accuracy and fidelity of digitized content, making necessary adjustments and corrections as needed.
Metadata Management: Collaborate with Digital Initiatives Librarian to capture and document required metadata for digitized materials, enhancing discoverability and accessibility.

10% Other duties
Equipment Maintenance: Maintain and troubleshoot digitization equipment for several workstations, ensuring optimal performance and minimal downtime.
Participation in committees, task forces, and special projects related to digital projects and digitization services from within the Libraries or from across campus as appropriate.


Required Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree and three years of library or related experience OR high school diploma and five years of library or related experience.
  • Demonstrated knowledge of digitization best practices in a cultural heritage environment such as a library, archive, or museum as evidenced by application.

    • Preferred Qualifications

  • Experience or education in visual media or photography beyond an introductory level
  • Experience using, calibrating, and maintaining digital imaging equipment, for example, flatbed scanners, planetary scanners, DSLR cameras, and medium format cameras. KU Libraries uses DT Versa, Phase One, Epson, Bookeye, and Canon capture devices.
  • Experience with imaging software applications, such as Capture One Culture Heritage; Scan Tailor; Adobe software; as well as MS Office programs
  • Knowledge of still image capture workflows in a cultural heritage environment, including working with TIFF/RAW image formats, QA/QC processes, and Optical Character Recognition (OCR) workflows with TIFF or PDF documents
  • Demonstrated experience and familiarity with library digitization standards, particularly the Federal Agencies Digital Guidelines Initiative (FADGI) and with library metadata standards (e.g., Dublin Core, MODS, EAD)
  • Strong interpersonal skills, with the ability to communicate clearly and effectively, both orally and in writing
  • Demonstrated ability to work independently and collaboratively, with the ability to manage multiple projects at once

    • Contact Information to Applicants

    Tonia Morgan
    [email protected]


    Additional Candidate Instruction

    Applicants should attach a cover letter, resume/CV, and contact information for three professional references (including at least one previous or current supervisor) to this online application. Please use your cover letter to address how you meet the required and preferred qualifications.  An online application must be completed to be considered for this position.

    Application review begins Friday, January 26, 2024. For consideration apply no later than Thursday, January 25, 2024.


    Advertised Salary Range

    Minimum salary $40,000, final determination commensurate with experience


    Application Review Begins

    26-Jan-2024


    Anticipated Start Date

    18-Mar-2024


    Primary Campus

    University of Kansas Lawrence Campus


    Employee Class

    U-Unclassified Professional Staff


    Work Schedule

    Monday-Friday
    8am-5pm


    Job Family

    Library Services-KUL


    Work Location Assignment

    Hybrid


    Disclaimer

    The University of Kansas prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, religion, sex, national origin, age, ancestry, disability, status as a veteran, sexual orientation, marital status, parental status, gender identity, gender expression, and genetic information in the university's programs and activities. Retaliation is also prohibited by university policy. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the nondiscrimination policies and is the Title IX coordinator for all KU and KUMC campuses: Associate Vice Chancellor for Civil Rights and Title IX, [email protected], Room 1082, Dole Human Development Center, 1000 Sunnyside Avenue, Lawrence, KS 66045, 785-864-6414, 711 TTY.


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