Librarian - Historical Resources

Department:

Libraries and Historical Resources

Start Here. Grow Here. Stay Here.

Start Here. Grow Here. Stay Here.

Are you passionate about preserving local history and heritage? Do you want to have an active role in managing the collections of a large-scale community archive? If so, then the Sarasota County History Center is looking for YOU! The History Center is a branch of the Sarasota County library system with an extensive archive, a reference library, an impressive collection of local artifacts, and a variety of impactful historic preservation programs.

The Digitization Specialist will help coordinate all aspects of the History Center’s digitization workflow, including identifying archival materials as candidates for digitization, utilizing equipment to perform digitization according to industry standards, processing digitized materials according to the collection management policy, and much more. The Digitization Specialist will also serve as the primary coordinator for the Memory Lab, a do-it-yourself digitization space for patrons to preserve their family collections, including documents, photographs, video, and audio. If you love the idea of preserving historical materials and connecting the public with the past, this is the job for you!

We are looking for a Digitization Specialist to join our growing collections management team at a period of exciting change. We are currently building a brand-new 30,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art facility to house our collection and increase public engagement through exhibits, programming, and expanded access to our expert staff and resources.

About the Position

In this role, you will be responsible for:

Collection Development and Management

• Coordinating the History Center’s digitization workflow, including identifying and prioritizing collection materials for digitization, metadata creation, imaging/capture, digital file management, and ingesting content into the History Center’s Archives Catalog and Digital Platform.
• Assisting with assigned arrangement and description projects to prepare collections for digitization.
• Helping ensure smooth cross-walking of data between the History Center’s databases and the library system’s ILS.
• Participating in evaluating and updating digitization policies and procedures in keeping with industry best practices.
• Performing regular quality control checks on digitized materials.
• Participating in special projects relating to technology solutions for collection management, exhibition, and other services.

Communication, Programming, and Outreach

• Coordinating participation of volunteers, interns, or other staff members in special projects, including project development, training, quality control, and scheduling.
• Coordinating the functions of the History Center’s digitization lab, including scheduling appointments to use equipment, testing and calibrating equipment as needed, and developing training materials for patrons and staff.
• Planning and directing library programming for adults, young adults, and children, in coordination with other professionals at the History Center and throughout the library system.
• Describing and promoting the History Center’s collections, databases, and services through social media, blog posts, online research guides, and other platforms.
• Providing technical advice and expertise to other county departments and members of the community upon request.

Customer Service

• Representing Sarasota County to customers, volunteers, staff, and donors.
• Implementing standards of service that ensure the prompt and efficient resolution of inquiries and requests from internal and external customers, delivered with the utmost courtesy and respect.
• Assisting with routine public-facing operations at the History Center, including reference services, meeting space management, and retrieving materials for customers.
• Contributing to public tours, presentations, and workshops at the History Center and around the county relating to the collection and best practices for preserving historical resources.

About the Schedule

Work Hours:

• Full-Time, 40 hours per week.

• Must be available to work: Sunday - Saturday, 8:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.

• Work schedules may vary due to split shifts, rotations, on-call, emergencies, etc.

As a reminder, all county employees are considered essential and must be prepared to protect and support the community and its citizens. Each employee, without exception, will have a duty assignment and be required to work during a disaster or declared emergency.

About You

To be considered for the position, you must have the following:

• Master's degree in Library Science from a college or university accredited by the American Library Association 
• OR: Bachelor’s degree and enrolled in a MLS/MLIS program with the ability to obtain a MLS/MLIS within 12 months of hire.

Preferred Qualifications:

• One year of experience in a library, archive, or museum environment.

Subject to Passing Substance Screening:  This position is subject to passing a pre-employment substance screening.  An applicant who fails to pass a required drug screening test shall be disqualified from employment in any class for a period of five (5) years.

Fingerprint Screening Requirement: This position requires a fingerprint-based background check, as required by law. The screening reviews criminal history and other legally permitted information. Applicants who do not meet the screening requirements will not be eligible for employment. Learn more: https://info.flclearinghouse.com

About Everything Else

Starting Pay: $58,947.20

Our interview process could include phone interview(s), Microsoft Teams video interview(s), and/or in-person interview(s).

If you are selected to join our team, please click on this link to review the Required First Day Documents. You will need to present the following items on your first day:

1. I-9 Acceptable Documents to show your identity and authorization to work. Use this link to learn more and review the different document options: https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents

• If your position requires a Florida Driver’s License, this must be one of your documents. (Your Florida Driver’s License can serve as one of your documents listed in link above – List B Documents.)  

2. U.S. Social Security Card (signed, physical card). This is a requirement of our Payroll Department and failure to provide this document could jeopardize timely compensation. (Your U.S. Social Security Card can serve as one of your documents listed in link above – List C Documents.)  

Benefits:

• Enjoy great benefits including Health, Dental, Vision, and Life Insurance, Short-Term and Long-Term Disability, Flexible Spending Accounts, Employee Assistance Program (EAP), Florida Retirement System (FRS) and many, many more! Choose one of three great medical plans, including one with a $0 premium option, with completed preventative visits!
• For more information about employee benefits, please click this link or visit SCGov.net for additional information.
• Utilize our award-winning wellness program including free gyms at multiple Sarasota County Government locations. 
• Enjoy 11 paid holidays, 3 personal days and 16 paid vacation days in the first year of full-time employment with increasing accrual rates with years of service. (That adds up to a possible 30 days off in your 1st year!)​​

A different blend of voices prompt better conversations, choices and results for everyone. Sarasota County – Many Voices, One Team.

We celebrate and value the experiences, backgrounds, perspectives, talents and strengths that make us different.

Our vision is to attract, develop, retain and engage a talented workforce broadly representative of the citizens and communities we serve. To further value creativity, innovation, collaboration and great customer service – internally and externally. 

A job applicant with a disability who requires reasonable accommodation to participate in the application/selection process is requested to make known the need for an accommodation to Human Resources or appropriate county staff members. For assistance with the application, please call 941-861-5353.

Sarasota County prohibits discrimination in all services, programs or activities. View the complete policy at scgov.net (keywords: ADA Compliance).

Sarasota County Government is a Tobacco-Free/Drug-Free Workplace.