What does a digital archivist do?

What is a Digital Archivist?

A digital archivist is responsible for the management, preservation, and accessibility of digital records and archival materials. In the evolving landscape of information management, digital archivists ensure the longevity and integrity of digital collections. They are tasked with acquiring, organizing, and preserving digital assets, which can include electronic documents, images, videos, datasets, and other born-digital or digitized materials.

Digital archivists employ best practices for metadata creation, file formats, and storage systems to ensure the authenticity and usability of digital records over time. Additionally, they often collaborate with IT specialists, librarians, and other stakeholders to implement and maintain digital preservation strategies, including backup systems, disaster recovery plans, and migration strategies to keep pace with technological advancements.

What does a Digital Archivist do?

Duties and Responsibilities
Digital archivists undertake a range of duties and responsibilities to manage and preserve digital collections. Here are key aspects of their roles:

• Digital Collection Management: Acquire, appraise, and accession digital materials, including born-digital records, digitized documents, photographs, audiovisual content, and other digital assets. Develop and implement policies and procedures for the selection, acquisition, and management of digital collections in accordance with archival standards and best practices.
• Preservation Planning: Design and implement digital preservation strategies to ensure the long-term accessibility and integrity of digital materials. This includes addressing issues such as file format obsolescence, media decay, and technological changes. Develop and maintain documentation on preservation processes and workflows.
• Metadata Creation: Create and manage descriptive, administrative, and technical metadata for digital assets to facilitate discovery, access, and long-term preservation. Adhere to established metadata standards and schemas, such as Dublin Core, PREMIS, and METS.
• Digitization Projects: Plan and oversee digitization initiatives for analog materials, coordinating the conversion of physical records into digital formats. Ensure that digitization processes adhere to industry standards and guidelines, maintaining the quality and authenticity of digital reproductions.
• Access and Outreach: Develop and implement access policies for digital collections, balancing openness with considerations of privacy, copyright, and other legal requirements. Collaborate with researchers, scholars, and the public to provide guidance on accessing and utilizing digital materials. This may include creating online exhibits, educational resources, and interactive platforms.
• Digital Rights Management: Establish and enforce policies for managing intellectual property rights and copyright issues related to digital collections. Navigate legal considerations, fair use, and licensing agreements to ensure compliance with copyright laws.
• Collaboration and Training: Collaborate with IT professionals, librarians, and other stakeholders to integrate digital preservation into institutional workflows and systems. Provide training and support for staff involved in digital collection management, ensuring a collective understanding of best practices and standards.
• Disaster Preparedness and Recovery: Develop and maintain disaster recovery plans to mitigate the risks of data loss and ensure the continuity of digital archives in the event of emergencies or disasters. Regularly test and update disaster recovery plans to address evolving risks and technologies.
• Stay Informed: Stay current with developments in digital preservation, emerging technologies, and relevant standards by participating in professional development opportunities, attending conferences, and engaging with the wider archival community.

Types of Digital Archivists
While the term "digital archivist" is often used broadly to describe professionals responsible for managing digital collections, there are specific roles and specializations within the field. Here are some common types:

• Digital Collections Archivist: Focuses on acquiring, organizing, and managing digital collections, which can include born-digital records, digitized materials, and electronic manuscripts. They work to ensure the completeness and authenticity of digital holdings.
• Digital Preservation Specialist: Specializes in developing and implementing digital preservation strategies to ensure the long-term accessibility and integrity of digital materials. This role often involves addressing issues related to file format obsolescence, storage, and technological changes.
• Metadata Librarian or Metadata Archivist: Specializes in creating and managing metadata for digital assets, including descriptive, administrative, and technical metadata. They play a crucial role in enhancing the discoverability and accessibility of digital collections.
• Digitization Coordinator: Coordinates and oversees digitization projects for analog materials, ensuring that the conversion of physical records into digital formats follows industry standards and best practices. They may work closely with preservation specialists and collections archivists.
• Access and Outreach Archivist: Focuses on developing access policies for digital collections, balancing openness with considerations of privacy, copyright, and legal requirements. They may also engage in outreach activities, collaborating with researchers and the public to promote the use of digital materials.
• Digital Rights Manager or Copyright Archivist: Specializes in managing intellectual property rights and copyright issues related to digital collections. This role involves navigating legal considerations, fair use, and licensing agreements to ensure compliance with copyright laws.
• Electronic Records Archivist: Concentrates on managing born-digital records and electronic records created by organizations. They work to ensure the proper capture, preservation, and accessibility of records with enduring value.
• Digital Repository Manager: Manages digital repositories, ensuring the effective storage, organization, and retrieval of digital materials. They may oversee the technical infrastructure supporting digital collections.
• Web Archivist: Specializes in capturing and preserving web-based content, including websites, blogs, and social media, to document the evolving landscape of online information. Web archivists often contribute to the development of web archiving policies and tools.
• Digital Curation Specialist: Focuses on the overall curation of digital content, encompassing the entire lifecycle of digital materials. Digital curation specialists may be involved in selection, appraisal, preservation, and access to digital collections.

What is the workplace of a Digital Archivist like?

The workplace of a digital archivist is typically within cultural institutions, such as archives, libraries, museums, government agencies, or academic institutions. The physical environment varies based on the institution, but it often includes a combination of office spaces, specialized labs, and storage areas equipped with the necessary infrastructure to handle digital materials.

Much of the daily work of a digital archivist involves hands-on engagement with digital assets. They may spend considerable time at computer workstations, employing specialized software tools for digital preservation, metadata creation, and access management. Collaboration is key, and digital archivists often work closely with colleagues such as metadata specialists, IT professionals, and subject matter experts to ensure comprehensive and accurate representation of the materials within their care.

In addition to the technical aspects of their role, digital archivists engage in ongoing professional development, staying informed about emerging technologies, preservation strategies, and relevant legal considerations. The workplace may also involve interactions with researchers, scholars, and the public, as digital archivists contribute to the dissemination of knowledge by making digital collections accessible through online platforms.