About HBOIf you're interested in applying for this position, consult the position description for more information. (And if you take the job, by all means let me know when you find all the files relating to The Wire.)
It's Not TV. It's HBO. America’s most successful premium television company, Home Box Office delivers two 24-hour premium television services — HBO and Cinemax — to nearly 40 million U.S. subscribers. International joint ventures bring branded services to more than 50 countries around the world, and HBO’s programming is sold into over 150 countries worldwide.
Job Description
The HBO Archiving Group is charged with the long-term archiving and preservation of HBO’s program assets. The Group operates the HBO Materials Archive, an extensive, varied, and active archive of film, video, and audio elements that supports the network as well as HBO’s production departments by receiving editorial materials for both temporary and long-term storage.
The Director is responsible for overseeing a staff of specialists, both on and off-site, handling film, tape and digital assets on a daily basis as well as engaging in long-term strategic planning for the storage, migration and conservation of our analog and digital assets.
The Director will also participate in efforts to coordinate digital archiving and metadata strategies company-wide and set the agenda for the storage, preservation and migration of both physical and digital assets into the future.
Primary responsibilities include:
Requirements
- Responsible for establishing company-wide archiving policy and practices.
- Supervise a staff of seventeen archivists on two coasts and prepare & implement budgets for storage and preservation needs of the archive.
- Work with internal departments and outside vendors to develop and standardize an archival database for search and retrieval. Oversee transition to new database in 2013.
- Develop strategies for digital archiving and the transition to a tapeless preservation workflow.
- Direct preservation and migration projects for analog assets.
- Oversee storage of assets at facilities in U.S and abroad.
- Track storage conditions and uphold best practices for packing, storage and retrieval of assets.
- Advanced degree in library science/film archiving is preferred.
- Minimum seven years archiving/preservation experience, three of which managing a large staff.
- Strong database skills and familiarity with metadata practices and standards. Knowledge of Xytech and other media asset management software required.
- Knowledge of conservation and preservation practices.
- An understanding of post-production practices and digital workflows.
- Must be detail-oriented with strong leadership, writing and organizational skills.
Thursday, May 31, 2012
HBO is searching for a Director of Archives and Asset Management
If you're a multimedia archivist who has worked with analog and born-digital materials, is accustomed to managing a large staff, and lives or would like to live in Santa Monica, California, HBO wants to hear from you.
United Nations is looking for a Digital Archivist and an Audiovisual Archivist
Are you an experienced archivist? Are you interested in managing and preserving records documenting the investigation and prosecution of individuals who committed crimes against humanity in Rwanda and the former Yugoslavia? Do you live or want to live in The Netherlands? If you answered yes to all three questions, the United Nations may have a job for you.
The United Nations is actually seeking to fill three Archivist positions within the International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals (established in 2010 to wrap up the work of the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda and the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia). Two of these positions -- Digital Archivist and Audiovisual Archivist -- involve hands-on work with born-digital records. All three jobs are based in The Hague.
The United Nations is actually seeking to fill three Archivist positions within the International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals (established in 2010 to wrap up the work of the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda and the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia). Two of these positions -- Digital Archivist and Audiovisual Archivist -- involve hands-on work with born-digital records. All three jobs are based in The Hague.
Org. Setting and ReportingThe position description is silent re: salary, benefits, relocation allowance, and related matters, but it highlights a few other things you really do need to know:
The positions of Archivist, Digital Archivist, and Audiovisual Archivist are located in the Archives and Records Section, The Hague Branch, Registry. Under the supervision of the Chief Archivist / Deputy Chief Archivist, the incumbents will be responsible for the management of specific components of the records of the International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals (Mechanism) and of the International Criminal Tribunals (ICT) Archives. Please specify in your application cover letter which of the three positions you are interested in.
Responsibilities
Competencies
- Contribute to the development of strategies, policies and procedures for the management of Mechanism records.
- Implement strategies, policies and procedures, in collaboration with the other archivists.
- Advise Mechanism officials and staff on recordkeeping issues and practices.
- Participate in recordkeeping improvement projects, contributing to feasibility studies, analysis, design, development and implementation and assisting with recruitment/procurement of specialist skills or materials.
- Contribute to the development and delivery of recordkeeping training programmes for Mechanism staff.
- Contribute to the development and implementation of strategies, policies and procedures for the management of the ICT Archives and the provision of access to them. Implement strategies, policies and procedures, in collaboration with the other archivists and the Associate Research Officer.
- Plan, organise, lead, monitor and evaluate work on acquisition, accessioning, arrangement and description, storage, preservation and conservation of archives.
- Plan, organise, lead, monitor and evaluate work on preparation and dissemination of finding aids for archives.
- Research, analyze and evaluate new systems or tools for the management of archives, and make recommendations for their deployment.
- Advise on and recommend measures to enhance the accessibility of archives.
- Advise on the determination of requests for access to archives. If access is approved, provide access, and information and assistance to requesters, in collaboration with the Associate Research Officer.
- Assist the Chief Archivist / Deputy Chief Archivist in advocacy and outreach programmes. Conduct research and prepare presentation and publicity material.
- Contribute to the management of the Section’s records repositories.
- Ensure that repositories are maintained and managed in accordance with required standards.
- Manage the transfer of records and archives from client offices to the Section’s repositories.
- Manage the deaccessioning and disposition of records and archives, in accordance with established policies or instructions from client offices.
- Participate in the implementation of the International Criminal Tribunals’ information security and access regime. Liaise with client offices regarding information security classification, and implement decisions on classification/declassification, in collaboration with the relevant legal officer and Associate Research Officer.
- Contribute to the development and implementation of the Section’s plans for disaster preparedness, response and recovery.
- Supervise, guide and train support staff. Supervise the work of contractors and consultants.
- Contribute to the continuous improvement of the Section’s operations and services by: keeping abreast of professional developments; supporting audits of the Section’s work; participating in internal reviews of the Section’s work, recommending improvements and implementing approved initiatives.
- Assist the Chief Archivist / Deputy Chief Archivist in planning, budgeting, procurement, finance, human resources or facilities management, as required.
- Perform other duties as required.
Education
- Professionalism – Demonstrable knowledge of recordkeeping theory and practice, and of established standards in records management and archives management. Ability to apply knowledge in specific organisational contexts. Ability to advise on recordkeeping based on analysis of organisational objectives. Demonstrable conceptual, analytical and evaluative skills Ability to conduct research and analysis, and formulate and present recommendations. Commitment to implementing the goal of gender equality by ensuring the equal participation and full involvement of women and men in all aspects of work. Shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations.
- Communication – Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately; asks questions to clarify, and exhibits interest in having two way communication; tailors language, tone, style and format to match the audience; demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.
- Teamwork – Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organisational goals; solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others; places team agenda before personal agenda; supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position; shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings.
- Client Orientation – Considers all those to whom services are provided to be “clients” and seeks to see things from clients’ point of view; establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect; identifies clients’ needs and matches them to appropriate solutions; monitors ongoing developments inside and outside the clients’ environment to keep informed and anticipate problems; keeps clients’ informed of progress or setbacks in projects; meets timeline for delivery of products or services to client.
- Creativity – Actively seeks to improve programmes or services; offers new and different options to solve problems or meet client needs; promotes and persuades others to consider new ideas; takes calculated risks on new and unusual ideas; thinks “outside the box”; takes an interest in new ideas and new ways of doing things; is not bound by current thinking or traditional approaches.
Advanced university degree in archival science, records management, information management or related field. A first level university degree in combination with qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree.
Work Experience
Minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in archives management, records management or information management. Experience of strict information security regimes is highly desirable. Experience in international tribunals or national courts is desirable. Experience in project management is an asset. For the position of Archivist, experience of managing physical records in a variety of media and formats, including artefacts, is required. For the position of Digital Archivist, experience of managing digital records is required. For the position of Audiovisual Archivist, experience of managing audiovisual records, including digital formats, is required.
Languages
English and French are the working languages of the Mechanism. For the post advertised, fluency in oral and written English is required. Knowledge of French is an asset.
Assessment Method
There may be an interview which will comprise a competency-based interview component. There may also be a technical test.
- The duration of successful candidates' appointments will be limited by the availability of funding; terms of appointment may be extended, but only if the Mechanism's mandate is extended or additional funding is made available.
- United Nations personnel may be reassigned to other positions or to other locations as organizational needs dictate.
- This posting closes on 17 June 2012.
Wednesday, May 30, 2012
University of Minnesota seeks a University Archives Head/Digital Conservancy Co-Director
Sorry for the recent paucity of posts; owing to a family situation, I was away for a couple of weeks and simply didn't have the time or Internet access needed to keep this place humming. Now that I'm back in Albany, you'll see some more activity around here.
If you're an experienced archivist who lives or wants to live in the Twin Cities area and relish the thought of working for a large research university, the University of Minnesota is looking for someone who will both head its University Archives and co-direct its DSpace-based University of Minnesota Digital Conservancy.
If you're an experienced archivist who lives or wants to live in the Twin Cities area and relish the thought of working for a large research university, the University of Minnesota is looking for someone who will both head its University Archives and co-direct its DSpace-based University of Minnesota Digital Conservancy.
Required/Preferred QualificationsThis position will remain posted until it is filled, and the university will offer the successful candidate "a competitive salary commensurate with experience, excellent benefits, and a substantial moving allowance." A background check is required. If you are interested in applying, consult the position description for more information.
Required Qualifications
Preferred Qualifications
- ALA-accredited Masters degree in Library/Information Science or an advanced degree with relevant experience
- Background or training in archival practices Excellent communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills
- Ability to work effectively both independently and in cooperation with colleagues in a service-oriented, collaborative environment
- Demonstrated creativity, initiative, self-direction, and innovative thinking
- Flexibility and openness to change
- Demonstrated understanding of pedagogy and educational practices, and emerging library service models
- Facility in use of technology
Duties/Responsibilities
- Knowledge of university organizational structures
- Experience in developing working partnerships with academic departments and other campus communities
- Evidence of successful and creative management of staff and operations, including the fostering of staff professional development and growth
- Experience with developing digital collections
- Experience with assessing the effectiveness of library collections and services
- Demonstrated creative approaches to promoting library services
- Record of professional contribution
- Experience in grants development and fund-raising activities
The University Archivist has responsibility by University Regents' policy to collect and preserve the record of University activity. The Archivist fosters collaborations within the University and actively seeks external partnerships to support and further the mission and activities of the archives, the Libraries, and the University.
The UDC serves as the institutional digital repository and as a repository for key subject collections. Key responsibilities of the position include engaging with faculty and graduate students as partners in integrating special collections and archival research and methods into the curriculum; actively seeking administrative, college and departmental, and faculty records; developing policies and tools for UDC ingest and setting long-term goals and priorities for preservation and access to digital content; and supervising staff and students. The successful candidate will be deeply engaged in achieving department goals and furthering Libraries' strategic directions; and will contribute to the profession through scholarship and service while working toward continuous appointment.
Program/Unit Description
The University of Minnesota Libraries invites applications for visionary, strategic, and creative leadership for the position of University Archivist and Co-Director of the University Digital Conservancy (UDC).
The position reports to the Elmer L. Andersen Director of Archives and Special Collections. University Archives is the largest of the eleven archives and special collections units in the department and serves a clientele ranging from History Day students to University administrators to individual scholars. Shared services and programs within the department enable rich exhibits, online services, and collection support. The University Archives enjoys a high profile on campus, and has been the catalyst for special projects such as the Memorial Stadium commemoration (http://brickhouse.lib.umn.edu/), and the recipient of grant funds for projects such as "Minnesota Roots of the Green Revolution" (http://blog.lib.umn.edu/uar/greenrevolution/), and "Harvesting Minnesota's Agricultural History" (http://blog.lib.umn.edu/uar/aghistory/).
The UDC serves as the institutional digital repository and as a repository for key subject collections. It is one of the few repositories in the country where the University Archives plays an integral and well-defined role. Downloads from University Archives content in the UDC averages over 15,000 per month. University Archives staff not only recruit born-digital content from campus, but also select and scan appropriate documents for addition to the UDC. Key responsibilities of the position include engaging with faculty and graduate students as partners in integrating special collections and archival research and methods into the curriculum; actively seeking administrative, college and departmental, and faculty records; developing policies and tools for UDC ingest and setting long-term goals and priorities for preservation and access to digital content; and supervising staff and students. The successful candidate will be deeply engaged in achieving department goals and furthering Libraries' strategic directions; and will contribute to the profession through scholarship and service while working toward continuous appointment.
The University Libraries are an integral part of campus life and contribute significant resources and programs to the state, region, and broader profession. The University Libraries provide a highly collaborative environment, distinguished by significant engagement in teaching/learning and research support, significant digital library development, and new models for advancing access to content and collections. Outreach is strengthened by unparalleled infrastructure for resource sharing, information access, digitization, and digital preservation within the state and region provided by the University Libraries-based Minitex program. The Libraries is a member of the Committee on Institutional Cooperation (CIC) Center for Library Initiatives, the HathiTrust, the Digital Library Federation, the Center for Research Libraries, and the National Digital Stewardship Alliance.
The University of Minnesota is a forward-looking and diverse institution located in the center of the vibrant Twin Cities metropolitan area. The Twin Cities are known for their cultural amenities, such as the Guthrie Theater, Walker Art Center, Children's Theater Company, and Science Museum and for their extensive park and recreational systems.
Wednesday, May 9, 2012
A walking tour of downtown Buffalo
Earlier today, I taught a digital preservation workshop for the Western New York Library Resources Council (WNYLRC). I couldn't have asked for better hosts or for a better group of attendees, but by the end of the day I was absolutely drained. I didn't want to spend the late afternoon and early evening vegetating in front of the TV in my suburban hotel room, so I headed into Buffalo -- a city I've driven through on countless occasions but have rarely had the chance to explore -- to check out the city's built environment.
It's painfully evident that Buffalo has suffered hard times -- vacancies abound downtown and the East Side, the neighborhood separating downtown Buffalo from the suburb in which my hotel is located, is home to a striking number of boarded-up buildings and urban prairies. However, it's also plain that Buffalo is an architectural gem. Its downtown is home to a striking number of buildings that any city would be proud to claim as its own.
Case in point: the Electric Tower, formerly known as the Niagara Mohawk Building. This white terracotta Beaux-Arts beauty was designed by James A. Johnson and was completed in 1912.
This vacant former Waldorf Lunch building at 5 East Huron Avenue is much more modestly sized, and it may not look like much in the harsh sunlight of late afternoon . . . .
. . . . However, when you get close to it, you see all kinds of fascinating details: a stunning typeface, subtle contrasts between matte and shiny metal, sleek Art Deco lines that would be right at home in Miami's South Beach neighborhood.
Downtown Buffalo is home to a significant number of Art Deco buildings, most notably its City Hall (see below), but the former Buffalo Industrial Bank building at 17 Court Street is one of my favorites. This not particularly good photo doesn't do it justice.
It's only when you start examining its decorative details that its beauty snaps into focus. Look at the frieze depicting the "gods of industry" between the second and third stories . . . .
. . . . And this decorative metalwork at street level.
The Liberty Building at 424 Main Street sits diagonally opposite the Buffalo Industrial Bank Building. Designed by British architect Alfred Bossom and finished in 1925, it's unusual in that it's a) neoclassical in style and b) has two replicas of the Statue of Liberty sitting atop its roof.
Both replicas were sculpted by Leo Lentilli. One faces east, and the other faces west.
As noted above, Buffalo City Hall, which dominates Niagara Square, is an Art Deco masterpiece. It was designed by John Wade with the assistance of George Dietel and completed in 1931. Owing to the strength and position of the late afternoon sun, I wasn't able to get a good picture of the building's front (you'll find a good one here), but even the back is spectacular.
Everywhere you look, interesting details pop out, among them the columns at the front entrance and the friezes by Albert Stewart.
The decorative tiles on the building's tower are stunning.
The statue of former Buffalo mayor and U.S. President Grover Cleveland
that stands at the building's northwest corner was festooned with
flowers; interestingly, the statue of former U.S. President Millard
Fillmore situated at the building's southeast corner lacked any
decoration.
The Buffalo City Court building
immediately southeast of City Hall. My first reaction upon seeing it:
"People of Buffalo, you have my sympathies." The building, which was
completed in 1974, exemplifies the much-reviled Brutalist style of
architecture, and it doesn't harmonize well with City Hall, most of the
other buildings that face Niagara Square, or the elegant white memorial
to President William McKinley, who was assassinated in Buffalo in 1901.
However, as I walked around Niagara Square, it kept catching my eye.
As an abstract form, it is kind of interesting; I'm just grateful that I
don't have to work inside it.
Even though the curved exterior of the Michael J. Dillon U.S. Courthouse, which opened last year and is a certified "green" building, echoes the curvature of Niagara Square (which is more a traffic circle than a square), it also seems badly situated: it flanks the northwest corner of City Hall. It's a nonetheless a refreshing change from the bland neoclassicalism of all too many newer federal government buildings, and in a different setting it would be nothing short of stunning.
A few blocks southeast of City Hall stands another architectural masterpiece: The Prudential Building (formerly the Guaranty Building), which was designed by eminent Chicago architect Louis Sullivan and his colleague Dankmar Adler. Completed in 1896, it is an early and superb example of the steel skeleton skyscraper.
Two of the building's exterior walls are covered with terracotta tiles, and the decorative elements incorporated into these tiles are astoundingly beautiful.
An unanticipated burst of rain brought my sightseeing to an abrupt end, but also brought a delightful surprise as I was driving back to my hotel.
I love spending time in Great Lakes cities -- I grew up outside of Cleveland and find the architecture and geography of all of the Great Lakes cities familiar and comforting -- I wish I could spend some more time here.
It's painfully evident that Buffalo has suffered hard times -- vacancies abound downtown and the East Side, the neighborhood separating downtown Buffalo from the suburb in which my hotel is located, is home to a striking number of boarded-up buildings and urban prairies. However, it's also plain that Buffalo is an architectural gem. Its downtown is home to a striking number of buildings that any city would be proud to claim as its own.
Case in point: the Electric Tower, formerly known as the Niagara Mohawk Building. This white terracotta Beaux-Arts beauty was designed by James A. Johnson and was completed in 1912.
This vacant former Waldorf Lunch building at 5 East Huron Avenue is much more modestly sized, and it may not look like much in the harsh sunlight of late afternoon . . . .
. . . . However, when you get close to it, you see all kinds of fascinating details: a stunning typeface, subtle contrasts between matte and shiny metal, sleek Art Deco lines that would be right at home in Miami's South Beach neighborhood.
Downtown Buffalo is home to a significant number of Art Deco buildings, most notably its City Hall (see below), but the former Buffalo Industrial Bank building at 17 Court Street is one of my favorites. This not particularly good photo doesn't do it justice.
It's only when you start examining its decorative details that its beauty snaps into focus. Look at the frieze depicting the "gods of industry" between the second and third stories . . . .
. . . . And this decorative metalwork at street level.
The Liberty Building at 424 Main Street sits diagonally opposite the Buffalo Industrial Bank Building. Designed by British architect Alfred Bossom and finished in 1925, it's unusual in that it's a) neoclassical in style and b) has two replicas of the Statue of Liberty sitting atop its roof.
Both replicas were sculpted by Leo Lentilli. One faces east, and the other faces west.
As noted above, Buffalo City Hall, which dominates Niagara Square, is an Art Deco masterpiece. It was designed by John Wade with the assistance of George Dietel and completed in 1931. Owing to the strength and position of the late afternoon sun, I wasn't able to get a good picture of the building's front (you'll find a good one here), but even the back is spectacular.
Everywhere you look, interesting details pop out, among them the columns at the front entrance and the friezes by Albert Stewart.
The decorative tiles on the building's tower are stunning.
Even though the curved exterior of the Michael J. Dillon U.S. Courthouse, which opened last year and is a certified "green" building, echoes the curvature of Niagara Square (which is more a traffic circle than a square), it also seems badly situated: it flanks the northwest corner of City Hall. It's a nonetheless a refreshing change from the bland neoclassicalism of all too many newer federal government buildings, and in a different setting it would be nothing short of stunning.
A few blocks southeast of City Hall stands another architectural masterpiece: The Prudential Building (formerly the Guaranty Building), which was designed by eminent Chicago architect Louis Sullivan and his colleague Dankmar Adler. Completed in 1896, it is an early and superb example of the steel skeleton skyscraper.
Two of the building's exterior walls are covered with terracotta tiles, and the decorative elements incorporated into these tiles are astoundingly beautiful.
An unanticipated burst of rain brought my sightseeing to an abrupt end, but also brought a delightful surprise as I was driving back to my hotel.
I love spending time in Great Lakes cities -- I grew up outside of Cleveland and find the architecture and geography of all of the Great Lakes cities familiar and comforting -- I wish I could spend some more time here.
Thursday, May 3, 2012
"I lost archival perspective and made wrong choices"
Earlier today, Leslie Waffen, the former head of the Sound and Video Branch of the U.S. National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), was sentenced to eighteen months in prison and two years of post-prison probation and ordered to pay a $10,000 fine. His crime? Stealing the materials for which he was supposed to care and selling them on eBay. In an odd twist of fate, the chain of events that culminated in his arrest and prosecution began when an item he put up for sale -- a 1937 recording of Babe Ruth -- was spotted by J. David Goldin, who had given the recording to NARA.
At his sentencing, Waffen tearfully apologized for his misdeeds, noting that he had "lost archival perspective and made wrong choices" and that he had "violated, personally, the archivist's code of ethics." His statement isn't accessible via Public Access to Court Electronic Records (PACER), but judging from various media reports, Waffen's criminal career began when he began taking recordings that were being considered for inclusion in NARA's holdings to his house so that he could work at home. At some point, his passion for collecting old sound recordings overrode his professional and moral judgment. Eventually, he apparently decided that selling the stolen recordings on eBay was a good idea.
Every archival security expert I've ever met has emphasized that collectors of and dealers in historical materials deserve special scrutiny. Waffen, who most assuredly got off easy, exemplifies why we need to be mindful of the fact that expertise and passion -- which are, by and large, wonderful things -- can lead some people horribly astray.
I didn't have a PACER account at the time Waffen entered his guilty plea, but I've got one now. For your reference, here's a copy of Waffen's October 2011 guilty plea, which states that he could have been imprisoned for ten years and fined up to $250,000 but broadly hints that he would likely receive an eighteen-month sentence, and a copy of the supplementary statement of facts that accompanied the plea.
Waffen Plea 2011-10 Waffen Supplement 2012-10
At his sentencing, Waffen tearfully apologized for his misdeeds, noting that he had "lost archival perspective and made wrong choices" and that he had "violated, personally, the archivist's code of ethics." His statement isn't accessible via Public Access to Court Electronic Records (PACER), but judging from various media reports, Waffen's criminal career began when he began taking recordings that were being considered for inclusion in NARA's holdings to his house so that he could work at home. At some point, his passion for collecting old sound recordings overrode his professional and moral judgment. Eventually, he apparently decided that selling the stolen recordings on eBay was a good idea.
Every archival security expert I've ever met has emphasized that collectors of and dealers in historical materials deserve special scrutiny. Waffen, who most assuredly got off easy, exemplifies why we need to be mindful of the fact that expertise and passion -- which are, by and large, wonderful things -- can lead some people horribly astray.
I didn't have a PACER account at the time Waffen entered his guilty plea, but I've got one now. For your reference, here's a copy of Waffen's October 2011 guilty plea, which states that he could have been imprisoned for ten years and fined up to $250,000 but broadly hints that he would likely receive an eighteen-month sentence, and a copy of the supplementary statement of facts that accompanied the plea.
Waffen Plea 2011-10 Waffen Supplement 2012-10
NARA releases 2011 records management assessment
Since 2009, the U.S. National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) has conducted annual surveys of federal government agencies' records management practices. All of these surveys have revealed that electronic records management is a particular challenge for the federal government, and the 2011 assessment, the results of which NARA released earlier this week, is no exception. Although NARA identified some modest successes, most notably increased transfers of archival electronic records, it's plain that management of electronic records remains an area of particular concern. NARA found that:
< snip >
These findings are depressing but not particularly surprising. Electronic records management remains a real challenge for many public- and private-sector organizations. I would be willing to bet that the feds are actually ahead of most (but by no means all) state and local governments, and I suspect that many corporations -- even those whose stock in trade is digital information -- are similarly challenged. Earlier this week, I blogged about the near-disaster that Pixar (which should be applauded for its candor) experienced, and Twentieth-Century Fox and Paramount have discarded or lost digital files that have monetary and artistic value. A host of other corporations are probably hoping that their records and information management nightmares remain out of the public eye.
What does NARA propose to do about the sorry state of federal records management? Appendix I of the recently released report offers a detailed plan of action, and I encourage you to read it -- and the rest of the report -- in its entirety. However, I will say that I'm particularly pleased that NARA wants agencies to incorporate records management plans -- with benchmarks and resource allocations -- into their annual budget submissions to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). I'm also glad that NARA to work with OMB to ensure that records management and archival functions are incorporated into new electronic recordkeeping systems and into the federal "IT governance process." When a fiscal control entity demands something, government agencies tend to listen.
< snip >
< /snip >
- Many respondents do not know or understand key terms and concepts pertaining to electronic records;
- Many respondents consider various aspects of electronic records management to be the purview of information technology staff;
- A significant number of agencies do not have migration procedures in place to ensure that electronic records are retrievable and usable to conduct agency business;
- Many respondents believe that media neutral records schedules eliminate the need for records management policies and procedures specific to electronic records;
- A significant number of agencies use backup tapes, which NARA does not consider a recordkeeping system, to preserve electronic documents and e-mail records;
- A third of agencies are using an ERMS [Electronic Records Management System] or RMA [Records Management Application] to manage their electronic records;
- Over 40 percent of agencies use e-mail archiving applications to manage e-mail messages . . . .
These findings are depressing but not particularly surprising. Electronic records management remains a real challenge for many public- and private-sector organizations. I would be willing to bet that the feds are actually ahead of most (but by no means all) state and local governments, and I suspect that many corporations -- even those whose stock in trade is digital information -- are similarly challenged. Earlier this week, I blogged about the near-disaster that Pixar (which should be applauded for its candor) experienced, and Twentieth-Century Fox and Paramount have discarded or lost digital files that have monetary and artistic value. A host of other corporations are probably hoping that their records and information management nightmares remain out of the public eye.
What does NARA propose to do about the sorry state of federal records management? Appendix I of the recently released report offers a detailed plan of action, and I encourage you to read it -- and the rest of the report -- in its entirety. However, I will say that I'm particularly pleased that NARA wants agencies to incorporate records management plans -- with benchmarks and resource allocations -- into their annual budget submissions to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). I'm also glad that NARA to work with OMB to ensure that records management and archival functions are incorporated into new electronic recordkeeping systems and into the federal "IT governance process." When a fiscal control entity demands something, government agencies tend to listen.
Wednesday, May 2, 2012
University of Chicago seeks a Digital Services Archivist
If you have hands-on processing, digitization, Web site development, and digitization experience, possess theoretical knowledge of electronic records issues, are comfortable working with multiple repositories, and live or want to live in Chicago, the Black Metropolis Research Consortium (BMRC) and its host institution, the University of Chicago, want to hear from you.
Reporting to the BMRC Executive Director, the Digital Services Archivist is responsible for administration, planning, supervision, evaluation, of the consortium's digital and technical services programs, ensuring an integrated and coordinated approach to arrangement description and digitization. Works with the staff of BMRC members to ensure the long-term preservation of born-digital materials, including archival records; to facilitate the digitization of consortium members holdings; and to provide access to such holdings. Builds on the strengths of the Survey Initiative which produced an inventory of archival holdings among participating BMRC members, as well as the "Color Curtain Processing Project" which aims to arrange, describe, and create EAD finding aids and MARC records for over 200 collections related to African American history in Chicago. The Digital Services Archivist will establish and develop finding aids and the digital archives of the consortium. Assumes management responsibilities in archival description of material with different formats, including preparation of finding aids. Formulates strategies for the management of digital assets, including digitization and writing metadata. Maintains and provides content for all BMRC related websites, blogs, online subject guides, and social media accounts. Works in conjunction with the staff of the Color Curtain Processing Project on the design and functional requirements for an electronic archives management system. This position will be based at the University of Chicago, but will require travel to other participating institutions in the city.
Specific Responsibilities
Works closely with the BMRC Consulting Archivist, University of Chicago technical consultants, and project staff to oversee and manage the technical services aspect of all projects. Creates archival finding aids using the Archivists' Toolkit. Serves as a member of the BMRC Technical Services Committee. Works with Project Staff and BMRC members to select collections for digitization. Maintains all BMRC related websites. Ensures that the project meets deadlines. Prepares project reports and documentation as necessary. Represents the project at meetings and conferences. Acts as a liaison between the project and University of Chicago Technical Staff. Trains student workers of participating institutions in the use of Archivists' Toolkit. Carries out other project duties as assigned, as necessitated by the needs of the BMRC or made possible by incumbent's subject strengths or technical skills. Such duties may include assisting with reference requests.
Education
- Graduate degree in Library and Information Science with significant course work in archive and manuscript theory and preservation required.
- Additional graduate degree in African American History or Black Studies strongly preferred.
Experience
- A minimum of three years of experience working with archival collections required.
- Digitization project management experience required.
- Experience in using social media, including Facebook, to promote library use required.
- Experience with archival survey projects preferred.
CompetenciesSalary varies in accordance with experience. Consult the position posting for application instructions and additional information.
- Demonstrated ability to manage workflow and multiple tasks, attention to detail, and complex problem-solving skills required.
- Flexibility, versatility, and tolerance for change are essential in this work environment required.
- Ability to work independently as well as collaborate in a team environment in a cooperative and collegial fashion required.
- Familiarity with the DACS standard for Archival Description required.
- Some knowledge of basic principles of conservation for paper and media collections required.
- Demonstrated knowledge of EAD required.
- Proficiency with data management systems such as MS Access, FileMaker Pro, and Archivists' Toolkit required.
- Knowledge of XHTML and CSS required.
- Knowledge of issues related to the capture and preservation of electronic records required.
- Ability to manage and complete long-term projects required.
- Strong organizational, supervisory, and computer skills required.
- Ability to listen well and communicate effectively in speech and writing required.
- Ability to work in multiple BMRC member institutions over the course of the position required.
- Travel to BMRC member repositories within the Chicago area required.
- Strong presentation skills required.
- Travel to project related training and conferences, including annual Society of American Archivist meetings, required.
- Ability to lift at least 40 pounds required.
- Knowledge of Chicago history strongly preferred.