Digital Archives Specialist

Digital Archives Specialist is a professional responsible for the acquisition, preservation, and maintenance of digital records and archives for organizations such as the National Archives and Records Administration, Library of Congress, and British Library. Digital Archives Specialists work with various stakeholders, including archivists, curators, and information technology specialists, to ensure the long-term accessibility and usability of digital assets. They often collaborate with institutions like the International Council on Archives, Society of American Archivists, and Association for Information and Image Management to develop and implement best practices in digital archiving. This role requires a deep understanding of digital preservation principles, as outlined by the Open Archival Information System and Preservation Metadata: Implementation Strategies.

Overview

The role of a Digital Archives Specialist involves working with digital collections, such as those found in the Internet Archive, Google Arts & Culture, and Digital Public Library of America. They must stay up-to-date with the latest developments in digital preservation, including the use of format migration, emulation, and bit preservation, as discussed by experts like Jeff Rothenberg and David Rosenthal. Digital Archives Specialists often work in a variety of settings, including universities, museums, and government agencies, such as the National Library of Australia and Canadian Centre for Architecture. They may also collaborate with organizations like the World Digital Library and Europeana to promote digital preservation and access to cultural heritage materials.

Core Competencies

Digital Archives Specialists require a range of skills, including knowledge of digital preservation principles, metadata standards like Dublin Core and PREMIS, and digital forensics techniques. They must also be familiar with content management systems like Drupal and Omeka, as well as digital repository software such as DSpace and EPrints. Additionally, they need to understand copyright law and intellectual property rights, as well as data privacy and security protocols, as outlined by organizations like the Electronic Frontier Foundation and International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions. Experts like Abby Smith Rumsey and Richard Pearce-Moses have written extensively on the importance of these competencies in digital archiving.

Education and Training

Digital Archives Specialists typically hold a graduate degree in a field like library science, information science, or archival science, from institutions such as the University of California, Los Angeles, University of Michigan, or University of Oxford. They may also pursue specialized training in digital preservation and archiving, such as the Digital Curation Centre's certification program or the Society of American Archivists' Digital Archives Specialist certification. Many Digital Archives Specialists also participate in professional development opportunities, like the International Conference on Digital Preservation and the Archives and Museum Informatics conference, to stay current with the latest trends and technologies.

Professional Certification

Professional certification is available for Digital Archives Specialists, such as the Certified Archivist designation offered by the Academy of Certified Archivists or the Digital Archives Specialist certification offered by the Society of American Archivists. These certifications demonstrate a level of expertise and knowledge in digital archiving and preservation, and are recognized by organizations like the National Archives and Records Administration and the Library of Congress. Experts like Terry Eastwood and Luciana Duranti have emphasized the importance of professional certification in the field of digital archiving.

Roles and Responsibilities

Digital Archives Specialists are responsible for a range of tasks, including the acquisition and ingest of digital materials, metadata creation and cataloging, and the development of digital preservation policies and procedures. They may work with digitization labs like the Internet Archive's Wayback Machine or the Google Books project to create digital versions of physical materials. They also collaborate with IT departments to ensure the long-term accessibility and usability of digital assets, and may work with records managers to develop records retention schedules and disposition authorities, as outlined by organizations like the National Association of Government Archives and Records Administrators.

Tools and Technologies

Digital Archives Specialists use a range of tools and technologies, including digital repository software like Fedora and Samvera, and preservation platforms like Archivematica and Preservation Manager. They may also use cloud storage services like Amazon S3 or Google Cloud Storage to store and manage digital assets. Additionally, they often work with metadata management tools like MarcEdit and OpenRefine, and may use digital forensics software like Autopsy and FTK Imager to analyze and preserve digital evidence, as discussed by experts like Simson Garfinkel and Paul Ohm. Category:Information science