Description

Digitization Specialist – Historical Resources

Start Here. Grow Here. Stay Here. 

Are you passionate about preserving local history and heritage? Do you want to have an active role in managing the collections of a large-scale community archive? If so, then the Sarasota County History Center is looking for YOU! The History Center is a branch of the Sarasota County library system with an extensive archive, a reference library, an impressive collection of local artifacts, and a variety of impactful historic preservation programs.

The Digitization Specialist will help coordinate all aspects of the History Center’s digitization workflow, including identifying archival materials as candidates for digitization, utilizing equipment to perform digitization according to industry standards, processing digitized materials according to the collection management policy, and much more. The Digitization Specialist will also serve as the primary coordinator for the Memory Lab, a do-it-yourself digitization space for patrons to preserve their family collections, including documents, photographs, video, and audio. If you love the idea of preserving historical materials and connecting the public with the past, this is the job for you!

We are looking for a Digitization Specialist to join our growing collections management team at a period of exciting change. We are currently building a brand-new 30,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art facility to house our collection and increase public engagement through exhibits, programming, and expanded access to our expert staff and resources.

About the Position

In this role, you will...

Collection Development and Management

• Coordinating the History Center’s digitization workflow, including identifying and prioritizing collection materials for digitization, metadata creation, imaging/capture, digital file management, and ingesting content into the History Center’s Archives Catalog and Digital Platform.
• Assisting with assigned arrangement and description projects to prepare collections for digitization.
• Helping ensure smooth cross-walking of data between the History Center’s databases and the library system’s ILS.
• Participating in evaluating and updating digitization policies and procedures in keeping with industry best practices.
• Performing regular quality control checks on digitized materials.
• Participating in special projects relating to technology solutions for collection management, exhibition, and other services.

Communication, Programming, and Outreach

• Coordinating participation of volunteers, interns, or other staff members in special projects, including project development, training, quality control, and scheduling.
• Coordinating the functions of the History Center’s digitization lab, including scheduling appointments to use equipment, testing and calibrating equipment as needed, and developing training materials for patrons and staff.
• Planning and directing library programming for adults, young adults, and children, in coordination with other professionals at the History Center and throughout the library system.
• Describing and promoting the History Center’s collections, databases, and services through social media, blog posts, online research guides, and other platforms.
• Providing technical advice and expertise to other county departments and members of the community upon request.

Customer Service

• Representing Sarasota County to customers, volunteers, staff, and donors.
• Implementing standards of service that ensure the prompt and efficient resolution of inquiries and requests from internal and external customers, delivered with the utmost courtesy and respect.
• Assisting with routine public-facing operations at the History Center, including reference services, meeting space management, and retrieving materials for customers.
• Contributing to public tours, presentations, and workshops at the History Center and around the county relating to the collection and best practices for preserving historical resources.
   

About the Schedule

Work Hours:

• Full-Time, 40 hours per week.
• Must be available to work: Sunday - Saturday, 8:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.
• Work schedules may vary due to split shifts, rotations, on-call, emergencies, etc.

As a reminder, all county employees are considered essential and must be prepared to protect and support the community and its citizens. Each employee, without exception, will have a duty assignment and be required to work during a disaster or declared emergency.

About Everything Else

Starting Pay: $58,947.20

Apply at https://scgov.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/SCGOV?q=library

Requirements

About You

To be considered for the position, you must have the following:

• Master's degree in Library Science from a college or university accredited by the American Library Association, OR  a Bachelor’s degree and enrolled in an MLS/MLIS program with the ability to obtain a MLS/MLIS within 12 months of hire.

Preferred Qualifications:

• One year of experience in a library, archive, or museum environment.

Subject to Passing Substance Screening: This position is subject to passing a pre-employment substance screening.  An applicant who fails to pass a required drug screening test shall be disqualified from employment in any class for a period of five (5) years.