Digitization Specialist

Description

LAC Federal is seeking an experienced full-time Digitization Specialist for a position with our client, a prestigious government library located in Beltsville, MD. The Digitization Specialist will work with the federal staff to plan and carryout a large-scale digitization project of federal agency publications. The selected candidate will work onsite in a collaborative federal research environment, supporting large-scale digitization initiatives through material preparation, metadata extraction, and quality assurance of digital assets.

The Specialist works at the intersection of library metadata, digital imaging workflows, repository configuration, and preservation storage systems to ensure long-term accessibility, integrity, and reliability of digital collections.

Responsibilities:

• Coordinate and prepare weekly batches of library materials (books, manuscripts, photographs) for digitization in accordance with established selection criteria 
• Evaluate the physical condition of materials and determine readiness for digitization, including identifying conservation or special handling needs 
• Conduct research across external repositories to identify existing digital surrogates and prevent duplication of effort 
• Prepare materials for scanning, including cleaning, minor stabilization, and organizing items for efficient digitization workflows 
• Retrieve and extract bibliographic metadata from library systems (e.g., Ex Libris Alma) and format data for digitization vendors 
• Identify materials lacking bibliographic records and coordinate with cataloging staff for record creation 
• Track and manage physical and digital materials throughout the digitization lifecycle using established workflows and tracking systems 
• Perform quality assurance reviews of digitized materials and coordinate with external vendors (e.g., Internet Archive) to resolve issues or request re-scans 
• Submit digitized item URLs and associated metadata updates to cataloging teams for integration into library systems 
• Monitor and respond to digitization-related inquiries and requests, escalating non-standard issues to project leadership as needed 
• Maintain accurate production statistics and contribute to monthly reporting on digitization activities and outputs 
• Participate in regular team meetings and collaborate with federal staff to ensure alignment with program goals and standards
• Ability to obtain a Public Trust Clearance

Requirements

Mandatory Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree with 3 or more years of relevant experience; or, a Master’s Degree with 1 or more years of relevant experience
• Demonstrated familiarity with bibliographic records and the ability to interpret MARC records in order to create spreadsheets containing bibliographic information for the digitization vendor
• Experience with metadata creation or remediation for digitized collections
• Strong attention to detail and ability to meet quality benchmarks (error-free, standards-compliant work).
• Ability to handle physical library materials carefully and follow established collection care procedures.
• Knowledge of basic conservation efforts such as rehousing and minor cleaning
• Ability to work within a framework of established policies and procedures
• Excellent oral and written communication skills

Preferred Qualifications:

Master of Library and Information Science (MLIS) or related advanced degree

Experience supporting large-scale digitization projects in a library, archives, or research environment

Familiarity with Internet Archive workflows or similar digitization vendors

Knowledge of basic conservation techniques (rehousing, cleaning, stabilization)

Experience with metadata standards such as Dublin Core, MODS, or other structured schemas

Experience working in a federal library or research environment

Ability to manage multiple tasks in a production-oriented, deadline-driven setting