The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame is currently considering applicants for the position of Digital Archivist (Job #1608). The Digital Archivist reports to the Head Archivist and is responsible for processing, digitizing, cataloguing and creating access to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame’s museum and archival collections; conducting historical research to validate, update and correct collections data; applying archival 

 

 

RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Supports the entire Rock & Roll Hall of Fame organization by digitizing and processing paper, photographic and born-digital collections in the Library and Archives for both internal and external uses.

• Creates, preserves, and provides access to digital assets primarily for use in the organization’s exhibition, marketing, online, research and education initiatives.

• Maintains archival standards, principles and best practices in assessment of needs and development of workflows in digital preservation strategies. 

• Collaborates with the Head Archivist to create processing workflows and finding aids for archival materials.

• Works with the Director of Digital Media and Catalog and Metadata Librarian on metadata schema development and digital asset description. 

• Collaborates with the Director of Digital Media and archives staff in development of digital workflows to support the preservation, access, and security of digital materials.

• Maintains knowledge of copyright, donor restrictions, and permissions issues related to processing and access of digitized and born-digital materials.

• Recommends policies and procedures relating to the storage, description, and preservation of digital materials.

• Ensures adherence to archival standards, best practices, and benchmarks for the preservation and digitization of archival materials.

• Works with the Senior Director of Library and Archives and the Director of Digital Media to identify funding, collaborations and grant opportunities in support of digital initiatives.

• Stays up-to-date on emerging technologies and standards for the preservation of digital assets and maintains an awareness of current trends and developments in the archival profession.

 

 

2. Digitizes archival material for the purposes of preservation and public and staff access.

• Works with the Head Archivist, Director of Digital Media, and other Rock Hall staff to identify and prioritize archival materials for digitization. 

• Maintains high volume of digitization, metadata creation, and asset ingestion.

• Performs duplication and editing of digital images for the purpose of facilitating access to these materials and fulfilling requests.

• Ensures the maintenance and ongoing operation of digital imaging equipment, troubleshoots equipment problems, and may perform minor repairs or refer problems to the Technology Team.

• Advises and trains Rock Hall staff on the use of certain digital imaging software, systems and equipment.

• Manages external digitization projects and ensures compatibility with internal systems.

• Assists in documenting and determining collection “highlights” to provide for easy accessibility organization-wide to high-profile collection materials. 

• Provides on-demand files or digitization for the organization’s time-sensitive initiatives (i.e. breaking news).

 

 

3. Works closely with the Head Archivist to support acquisition of digital archives according to collections policy, and provides knowledge and expertise in refining policies and procedures for digital collections.

• Selects and appraises born-digital and digitized collections offered to the Library and Archives according to the collections policy.

• Interacts with potential donors. 

 

 

4. Supervises the activities of certain student employees, interns and/or volunteers.

 

 

5. With other archivists, staffs the Reading Room to work with visiting researchers.

 

 

6. Represents the Rock Hall both within and outside the institution. 

• Advocates for topics relating to or affecting processing needs of born-digital and digitized collections.

• Represents the Rock Hall to the general public and scholarly community, which may include presenting at conferences and staffing outreach events.

 

 

7. Travels offsite when required.

 

Duties include but may not be limited to the above.

 

 

JOB REQUIREMENTS AND QUALIFICATIONS:

• Master’s degree in library science, archival studies or related field.  

• Minimum of three years’ experience with preservation digitization of and archival experience with born-digital and digitized image collections in an academic, research or special library setting.

• Advanced administration and troubleshooting of image editing and digitization software and hardware including repair and maintenance.

• Working knowledge of digital asset management systems and databases highly desired.

• Working knowledge of workflows for preservation digitization, ingest, metadata creation and quality control of images highly desired.

• Knowledge of records management practices, trends and issues, especially as they relate to issues associated with digital content highly desired.

• Supervisory experience preferred.

• Experience contributing to successful grant applications preferred.

• Knowledge of current trends in the preservation of paper and digital materials.

• Knowledge of archival standards and best practices.

• Historical knowledge of rock and roll and related music genres preferred.

• Familiarity with relevant descriptive and technical metadata standards preferred.

• Familiarity with copyright, donor restrictions and permissions issues related to providing access to digital content preferred.

• Ability to maintain and report on statistics related to all aspects of work.

• Flexibility and ability to work both independently and collaboratively.

• Outstanding verbal and written communication skills, organizational skills, and interpersonal skills. 

• Detail-oriented with ability to organize and prioritize tasks to meet deadlines and manage multiple projects concurrently.

• Thinks of the big picture and considers the impact of decisions across the institution as a whole.

• Understands how to manage and work with different people and various working styles across the organization.

• Involves others in decision-making but is comfortable leading; avoids impulsive decisions.

• Encourages teamwork, and anticipates and removes obstacles to effective teamwork; seeks to resolve conflicts as they arise.

• Approaches others in a positive manner and builds solid long-term relationships with key stakeholders inside and outside the organization.

• Appropriately shares information with staff members, ensuring that they and other key contacts across the organization are kept abreast of initiatives, issues and events internally as well as externally.

• Involves staff in various processes to share information and provide input on policies and practices; solicits ideas and opinions to help shape specific decisions or plans.

• Ability to successfully pass Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum reference check, background investigation, and drug screening.

• Computer Literate:  Microsoft Office applications, archival collection management systems.

 

 

WORK SCHEDULE:

Ability to work at least 40 hours per week; any shift as assigned, including evenings, weekends and holidays.  Ability to work additional hours as workload demands.  Hours are primarily 8:30 am – 5:30 pm Monday through Friday.

 

 

STARTING SALARY: Commensurate with experience.  (Full-Time)