Join our community and experience Emerson College!
This 12-week internship (18 hours per week, $25/hour) offers a valuable experience for current graduate students pursuing degrees in library and information science or related fields. The Digitization Intern will focus on The Boston Foundation Collection - recently acquired by the Emerson College Archives & Special Collections (ECASC) - which contains records of varying format, age, and condition. Examples of formats within the collection include VHS tapes, photographs, bound volumes, and paper documents. Under the supervision of the Assistant Director for Archives & Special Collections and in collaboration with the Digital Access & Reference Archivist, the intern will digitize, preserve, and describe the collection. Training and support will be provided, and the intern will also be encouraged to make independent decisions to develop digitization, preservation, and description strategies.ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES
Collection Assessment & Planning: Review the collection to develop a plan for its digitization, description, and preservation. This includes identifying preservation needs, selecting appropriate supplies, and determining specialized digitization methods.
Digitization: Digitize collection materials using a variety of analog and digital technologies available in ECASC, such as video/audio players and flatbed scanners. Troubleshoot issues and refine digitization strategies as needed.
Quality Control: Perform quality assurance checks on digitized items, evaluating sound, image, clarity, and accuracy. Coordinate with ECASC staff to transfer digital files to secure hard drives and/or cloud storage.
Metadata Creation: Create item-level metadata using established schemas and vocabularies (e.g. MODS, Dublin Core, LCSH). Evaluate and apply appropriate metadata standards based upon item format and condition.
Preservation: Throughout the digitization process, carry out preservation tasks such as rehousing items into archival enclosures and cleaning recordings. Assess and adjust preservation strategies throughout the project and communicate needs to the Assistant Director.
Confidentiality Review: Identify items containing personally identifiable information (PII) or other sensitive content. Appropriately label physical enclosures and metadata fields.
QUALIFICATIONS – Qualifications are deemed required or preferred and represent what is needed to effectively perform a job.
Current graduate student in an ALA accredited Master’s degree in library/information science (or related field) or equivalent experience.
Experience digitizing, preserving, and describing historical collections according to best practices.
Experience working with confidential information responsibly and in accordance with privacy and ethical guidelines.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES – May be representative, but not all-inclusive, of those knowledge, skills, and abilities commonly associated with the job.
Knowledge of best practices for the digitization, preservation, and description of records with varying sizes, formats, and conditions.
Knowledge of metadata schemas, controlled vocabulary, and thesauri such as Dublin Core, MODS, LCNAF, LCSH, and the Thesaurus for Geographic Names.
Strong problem-solving skills and a capacity for independent decision-making once trained.
Ability to work both independently and collaboratively.
Ability and willingness to engage with new technologies and adapt to evolving workflows.
Interest in working with diverse formats and conditions of archival materials.
Ability to handle confidential records discreetly and according to best practices.
PHYSICAL ABILITIES – Activities commonly associated with the performance of the functions of this job. The physical demands described below are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.
Ability to lift and transport boxes, objects, and equipment up to 40 lbs in weight and perform tasks such as shelving, cleaning, and organizing materials.
Ability to sit or work at a computer for extended periods.
WORK ENVIRONMENT – Environmental or atmospheric conditions commonly associated with the performance of the functions of this job.
Usual office conditions
In addition to a competitive salary, Emerson College is committed to the health and well-being of our employees and family members. We offer a generous benefits package to regular staff scheduled to work 20+ hours per week.
Benefits include outstanding health plans with limited out-of-pocket expenses, dental plans, generous time-off programs, and a 403(b) retirement benefit with a 9% employer contribution once eligible. Additional benefits such as life and disability coverage as well as commuter offerings are available.
Please refer to our benefits website for a full list of benefits and eligibility requirements.
