How to Be Archival Digitization Specialist - Job Description, Skills, and Interview Questions

Apr 19, 2023 / 6 Minutes Read / By Albert

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Archival Digitization Specialists play an essential role in the preservation of important historical documents. Through the digitization process, these specialists are able to transfer physical paper documents, photographs, and other artifacts into a digital format. By doing so, they help to ensure that these historical artifacts can be preserved in their original state and protected from future damage or deterioration.

This is important because preserving the past helps to inform our current understanding of the world, and allows us to continue to learn and grow from the knowledge of our ancestors. digitizing these documents helps to make them more accessible to researchers, educators, and other interested parties, allowing the public to have easier access to the information contained within them.

Steps How to Become

Obtain a Bachelor's Degree. To become an Archival Digitization Specialist, you should start by obtaining a Bachelor's degree in Information Technology, Library Science, or a related field. This degree should include coursework in digital preservation, metadata creation, and other relevant topics.
Complete an Internship. Completing an internship in an archives setting will provide valuable experience in archival digitization. You should look for opportunities to participate in a digitization project and build your knowledge of the tools and processes used in the field.
Get Certified. Several organizations offer certification programs for archival digitization specialists. Taking these courses will help you develop your skills and demonstrate your expertise to employers.
Join Professional Organizations. Joining professional organizations related to archival digitization will keep you up-to-date on the latest developments in the field and provide networking opportunities with other professionals.
Pursue Continuing Education. To stay current in the field of archival digitization, you should pursue continuing education opportunities. You should take advantage of workshops, conferences, and webinars to stay abreast of the latest developments.

The need for skilled and capable archival digitization specialists has been growing exponentially in recent years. As more organizations embrace technology and recognize the value of digitizing their physical records, there is an increasing demand for professionals who possess the necessary knowledge, skills, and experience to execute the task. This type of work requires an understanding of archival principles, digital imaging techniques, software tools, and the ability to work with diverse formats.

To become a successful archival digitization specialist, an individual must have an in-depth knowledge of archival practices, be well-versed in preserving digital media, and have the technical proficiency to digitize physical items. Furthermore, a successful specialist needs to be able to effectively communicate with colleagues and stakeholders, as well as have excellent organizational skills to ensure that their work is completed in a timely and cost-effective manner. by having these skills and capabilities, an individual can make a significant contribution to the preservation of our shared history and cultural heritage.

You may want to check Historiographer, Historic Preservation Architect, and Historical Archaeologist for alternative.

Job Description

Image Scanning Specialist: Responsible for the operation of digital scanning equipment to capture high-quality digital images of archival materials.
Metadata and Cataloguing Specialist: Responsible for creating, maintaining, and updating digital catalogs and metadata for archival digital collections.
Digital Preservation Specialist: Responsible for developing policies and procedures for the preservation of digital objects and collections.
Digital Asset Management Specialist: Responsible for managing digital assets, including the selection and organization of archival digital collections.
Digital Rights Management Specialist: Responsible for ensuring that digital assets are used in accordance with copyright and other applicable laws.
Quality Assurance Specialist: Responsible for testing digital assets for accuracy and consistency, and ensuring that best practices are followed throughout the digitization process.
Documentation Specialist: Responsible for documenting processes and providing training on the use of digital assets and collections.

Skills and Competencies to Have

Knowledge of digital file formats (e. g. , JPEG, TIFF, PNG, PDF)
Knowledge of scanning hardware and software
Knowledge of archival preservation principles
Ability to identify and troubleshoot potential problems with digitization equipment
Ability to create and maintain accurate metadata records
Ability to select the appropriate file format and resolution for the intended use of the digital object
Knowledge of file management systems and best practices
Knowledge of copyright and intellectual property laws
Knowledge of alternative access techniques, such as optical character recognition (OCR)
Ability to handle fragile or damaged documents in a safe and appropriate manner
Strong organizational and problem solving skills
Ability to work independently and as part of a team
Excellent written and verbal communication skills
Ability to lift and move heavy objects

Archival Digitization Specialists play a vital role in preserving history by digitizing documents and other materials that would otherwise be lost. Their skills are essential for archivists to ensure that these materials can be accessed and used by future generations. Having the correct skills is essential for an Archival Digitization Specialist to be successful.

The most important skills for an Archival Digitization Specialist include organization, knowledge of digital scanning and imaging systems, familiarity with different file formats, and the ability to troubleshoot problems. Organization is key to ensure that files are stored properly, and that information can be quickly located when needed. Knowledge of digital scanning and imaging systems is required to ensure that documents are scanned and saved properly.

Familiarity with different file formats enables the specialist to save the information in the most efficient way. Finally, the ability to troubleshoot problems is critical to ensure that any issues that arise with the equipment or the files can be quickly and efficiently addressed. All of these skills are essential for an Archival Digitization Specialist to be successful in their role.

Historic Real Estate Appraiser, Historical Writer, and Historic Preservation Technician are related jobs you may like.

Frequent Interview Questions

What experience do you have in archival digitization?
Describe a major project you were involved in related to archival digitization.
How do you ensure the quality of digital files created from analog materials?
What strategies do you use to prioritize tasks and manage workflow?
How do you identify, select, and organize documents for digitization projects?
How familiar are you with metadata standards and best practices?
What processes have you implemented to ensure security of digital archives?
What methods do you use to ensure accuracy when converting analog documents to digital formats?
How have you used technology to streamline archival digitization processes?
How do you stay up-to-date on advancements in archival digitization technology?

Common Tools in Industry

Digital Asset Management (DAM) Software. This software allows users to store, manage, and share digital assets such as photos, videos, and documents across an organization. Example: Adobe Experience Manager.
Imaging Software. This software enables users to digitize physical documents and convert them into digital formats. Example: Adobe Acrobat Pro.
OCR (Optical Character Recognition) Software. This software allows users to convert scanned images of text into computer-readable documents. Example: ABBYY FineReader.
Metadata Management Software. This software helps users add descriptive information to digital files, allowing for easier search and retrieval. Example: XMPP Metadata.
Data Migration Software. This software makes it easier to transfer large amounts of data between different storage systems or platforms. Example: Aspera Connect.
Media Management Software. This software enables users to organize and categorize media files, such as photos and videos. Example: Adobe Bridge.

Professional Organizations to Know

Association for Information Science and Technology (ASIS&T)
International Association of Sound and Audiovisual Archives (IASA)
Digital Library Federation (DLF)
Society of American Archivists (SAA)
American Library Association (ALA)
Arts Council England
International Council on Archives (ICA)
National Digital Stewardship Alliance (NDSA)
Digital Preservation Coalition (DPC)
International Conference on Preservation of Digital Objects (iPRES)

We also have Museum Educator, Historic Preservation Advocate, and History Professor jobs reports.

Common Important Terms

Metadata Data that provides information about other data. Metadata typically includes descriptions of the content, format, and structure of digital objects.
Preservation The process of protecting and maintaining digital objects over time. It involves activities such as digital reformatting, migration, and storage.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI) A unique number assigned to an object which enables a permanent link to the object.
Digital Reformatting The process of transforming an existing digital object from one format to another.
Image Enhancement The process of improving the quality of an image for better viewing and archival purposes.
OCR (Optical Character Recognition) The process of using computer technology to recognize text within an image.
File Format Conversion The process of changing a file format from one type to another, such as from JPEG to TIFF.
Digital Rights Management (DRM) The use of technology to protect and manage the distribution of digital content.
Encoding The process of translating information into a specific format, such as HTML or XML, for computer processing or storage.
Metadata Schema A set of rules that determine the structure, content, and format of a metadata record.
Migration The process of moving digital content from one format or medium to another without losing the original content or quality.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: What does an Archival Digitization Specialist do? A1: An Archival Digitization Specialist is responsible for converting physical documents and materials into digital formats for preservation and access. Q2: What type of materials do Archival Digitization Specialists work with? A2: Archival Digitization Specialists typically work with a variety of physical documents and materials, such as paper documents, photographs, audio and video recordings, books, manuscripts, and other objects. Q3: What skills are required to be an Archival Digitization Specialist? A3: To be an Archival Digitization Specialist, one must possess a range of skills, including knowledge of digital imaging technologies, attention to detail, and proficiency in using a variety of software applications. Q4: What type of organizational environment do Archival Digitization Specialists work in? A4: Archival Digitization Specialists typically work in an archival or library setting, where they are responsible for managing the digitization process from start to finish. Q5: How many digital files does an Archival Digitization Specialist create on average? A5: The number of digital files an Archival Digitization Specialist creates depends upon the size and scope of the project. On average, a specialist might create hundreds or even thousands of digital files during the course of a project.

Web Resources

Digital Archives Specialist, Special Collections and Archives jobs.reed.edu
PreserveNet Archival Digitization Specialist - Cornell University www.preservenet.cornell.edu
Archival Digitization Einhorn Center for Community Engagement einhorn.cornell.edu