Digital Preservation Librarian

Description

Position Summary: The Digital Preservation Librarian leads the development of the cohesive digital preservation program ensuring the long‑term access and preservation of digital assets under Tulane University Libraries’ stewardship. In collaboration with other library units, the Digital Preservation Librarian maintains and updates TUL Digital Preservation Framework, policies and practices appropriate for the long‑term management and preservation of TUL’s digital assets both digitized and born‑digital.

The position also works closely with campus Information Technology to ensure long‑term storage availability and with students and faculty with respect to data stewardship, and digital preservation issues. The Digital Preservation Librarian will bring a proactive awareness of social responsibility, historical institutional biases, and ethics of digital preservation. The Digital Preservation Librarian will have a strong commitment to providing excellent library service.

The position reports to the Head of Digital Scholarship.

REQUIRED

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

ALA‑accredited master’s degree in library or information science, archival certification, or a master’s or doctoral degree in another relevant field combined with at least three years in libraries and/or archives, with experience in digital preservation workflows, technologies, and policy appropriate experience in an academic library.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES/COMPETENCIES TYPICALLY NEEDED TO PERFORM THIS JOB SUCCESSFULLY:

• Demonstrated in-depth knowledge of digital preservation principles, issues, strategies, standards, and best practices.
• Applied knowledge of preservation metadata and file format standards.
• Familiarity with Trusted Digital Repositories, OAIS Reference Model, PREMIS, JHOVE and DROID.
• Ability to normalize obsolete file formats.
• Ability to gather, interpret, and analyze highly complex data to discern patterns, trends, and relationships to draw conclusions about digital collections.
• Interest in developing digital preservation procedures and policy.
• Excellent organizational, project management, and communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and in a group environment as part of a diverse team.
• Commitment to fostering an equitable and inclusive workplace.
• Participation in/contributions to digital preservation community (such as Digital Preservation Coalition, iPres, National Digital Stewardship Alliance, Open Preservation Foundation).
• Ability to function fully and competently at technology competency Levels I and II outlined in the HTML Core Technology Competencies for Employees (See (Use the "Apply for this Job" box below). ).

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Participation in/contributions to digital preservation community (such as Digital Preservation Coalition, iPres, National Digital Stewardship Alliance, Open Preservation Foundation).

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Process, arrange, and describe digital archival material in accordance with professional best practices, including all levels and forms of description. Maintain documentation of said practices for adoption and use. Developing and maintaining workflows grounded in current preservation practice. Conducting research or testing required to support and expand the library's digital preservation capabilities and strategies. Participates in and manages short- and long‑term projects and initiatives related to the management and ongoing preservation of digital holdings.
• Leads the ongoing management of the library's digital preservation repository, which includes designing and implementing ingest, fixity and validation workflows for different content types and file formats. Provides expertise and guidance to managers in other library units on implementation and use of digital preservation methodologies, tools, workflow accessibility and sustainability best practices.
• Participate as a member of the Digital Scholarship & Distinctive Collections division. Advise on the preservation and sustainability of data sets, and data management. Attend professional development opportunities for digital preservation procedures, or applications to keep current with the needs of TUL…