PT Digitization Assistant (Onsite)

The Highlights:

As a member of the Special Collections and Archives team, the Digitization Assistant will collaborate with colleagues in Special Collections and Archives and other library units to digitize, describe, preserve, and share content held by Special Collections and Archives. The Digitization Assistant is primarily responsible for preservation reformatting of obsolete and deteriorating formats, and will also assist with digital projects and exhibits, researcher reproduction requests, and special format faculty requests.

The Digitization Assistant will work in a highly supportive and collegial culture that encourages active participation in meaningful and valuable skills training and professional development. This includes workshops, committee memberships, and engagement in programs that support the Library’s mission and its inclusion, diversity, equity, and accessibility (IDEA) goals, while building connections and partnerships across DePaul’s wider academic and user community.

What You'll Do:

•  Preservation Reformatting 
  - Makes rare, valuable and often fragile materials in Special Collections and Archives available through the creation of digital facsimiles for both preservation and access.
  - Converts at-risk formats such as magnetic tape (VHS, audiocassette and microcassette) into digital files using in-house equipment.
  - Identifies materials requiring the special services of an outside vendor (due to format or condition, such as open film and audio reels, 16mm film, Betamax and BetaCam, U-matics, Mini-DV, Hi-8, etc.). 
  - Manages the process for outsourcing digitization (condition reports, packing, tracking, transportation, quality control, ingest, etc.).
  - Creates descriptive and preservation metadata for digital content.
  - Maintains equipment needed for reformatting and digitization.
  - Keeps detailed records of standards, procedures, workflows, and capacity related to digitization.
• Digital Projects 
  - Assesses items for inclusion in digital projects, creating condition reports and noting special handling requirements.
  - Digitizes materials in-house when possible.
  - Maintains records for materials sent off site and packs items for safe travel to vendors.                     - Makes arrangements with vendors for large-scale digitization.                                                                - Assists the Digital Archivist in uploading content and updating descriptions on digital platforms.
• Researcher Requests 
  - Collaborates with the Public Services Archivist to fill specialty reproduction requests for distance and in-person researchers, including A/V digitization, fragile book digitization, image, map and oversize paper formats, etc.
  -Uses departmental platforms to document permissions and provide access to digitized content, following donor agreements and U.S. Copyright Law.
• Faculty Research Requests 
  - Collaborates with library liaisons and course reserves staff on limited digitization services for faculty research and teaching, when special equipment is required.

What You'll Need:

• Required:
  - Bachelor’s degree;
  - Proficiency in basic computer skills (email, Microsoft Office Suite, Google Docs). 
• Excellent written, oral, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Ability to adapt to change with flexibility, creativity, and sound judgment.
• Experience working both independently and collaboratively in a collegial, team-based environment and maintaining positive - working relationships.
• Ability to prioritize, problem solve, and monitor project cycles. 
• Ability to read and comprehend handwritten and printed text, and to create accurate metadata with minimal oversight or intervention.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate and effectively interact with people across cultural identities and foster an inclusive, equitable, and welcoming environment.
• Familiarity with or willingness to learn basic coding.
• Familiarity or experience with metadata such as Dublin Core, PB Core, or MODS. 
• Some local travel may be required to accompany materials to and from vendors. Transportation costs to deliver/retrieve materials would be covered or reimbursed (rideshare, mileage, etc.).
• Requires reading, visual acuity, hand-eye coordination and motor skills sufficient to use a computer, scanner, camera, A/V and other office equipment.  
• Requires ability to safely hold and handle rare, unique and fragile materials.
• This is an in-person position based at the Richardson Library on the Lincoln Park campus. Hours are worked weekdays between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.
• Preferred:
  - Minimum 1 year experience in creating digital versions of physical materials fr