Position Summary Information
| Classification Title |
University Library Technician |
| Working Title |
Digitization Technician |
| Location |
Boone, NC |
| Job Category |
3 |
| Position Number |
066251 |
| Not Eligible for Visa Sponsorship |
VISA sponsorship is not available for this position. All candidates must be eligible to work and live in the U.S |
| Department |
Library-Special Collections - 275010 |
| Primary Purpose of Position |
The Appalachian State University Libraries are essential teaching and research partners, inspiring and guiding all who pursue knowledge. With over 80 talented and hard-working faculty and staff, the Libraries curate rich print and e-collections, teach information literacy skills, and steward thoughtful spaces for Appalachian State students, faculty, and staff. The University Libraries supports the University with its recent R2 designation through research support, collections, and scholarly communications. Through our digital spaces, scholarship, and service, our library colleagues impact the larger world of knowledge.
The Digital Initiatives and Special Collections Division includes faculty and staff working across the Special Collections Research Center, University Archives, Digitization Services, and Scholarly Communication. Together, they build and steward unique collections while providing digital access to rare and one?of?a?kind materials. Their work supports the full scholarly cycle-from research in primary sources to authorship, publication, and discovery-while preserving the University's scholarly output and materials central to its collecting focus.
Additional information about the Libraries, the University, and the surrounding area may be found at
http://appstate.edu,
https://library.appstate.edu/about, and
https://appstate.edu/employment.
The
Digitization Technician is responsible for performing digital imaging and analog-to-digital audio/video conversion that enhances access to collections and supports the University Libraries' mission as essential teaching and research partners. In addition to production work, the position includes operational tasks such as basic metadata creation, media treatment and repair, and equipment maintenance and calibration. The technician also supervises student assistants, providing hands-on training and mentorship that develop their technical skills and professional confidence. By ensuring that the Libraries' collections remain accessible and discoverable, the Digitization Technician directly contributes to student success and helps integrate these resources into the university's teaching and research activities. The position is located in the Digital Initiatives & Special Collections Division and reports to the Digital Preservation and Access Manager. |
| Minimum Qualifications |
High school diploma or equivalency and two years of experience in library services, office support, or related field; or equivalent combination of training and experience. |
| License/Certification Required |
|
| Essential Job Functions |
This position is responsible for the digital conversion of analog images, documents, audio, and video materials. Core duties include digital imaging, audio and video conversion, and the development of technical and specification documentation related to digitization workflows. The position provides customer support by managing and responding to digitization requests and inquiries from faculty, staff, and student patrons.
In addition, this role supervises student employees and provides training and instruction to students on digitization procedures, equipment use, and best practices. All work is performed under the general supervision of the Digital Preservation and Access Manager. |
| Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities Required for this Position |
This position requires
- attention to detail and good communication skills
- knowledge of audio, video, and imaging digitization technologies, including hardware and editing and management software
- ability to handle fragile materials without damaging them
- capacity to work productively and independently
- aptitude for learning new skills quickly and thoroughly
- willingness to perform repetitive tasks for periods of time
- ability to meet deadlines
- accurate typing skills in order to capture metadata and record information in spreadsheet or appropriate database
- problem-solving skills
- willingness to follow written and verbal instructions with little supervision
- potential for supervising others
|
| Preferred Qualifications |
- Associate's degree or higher
- One or more years of digitization experience
- Knowledge of analog audio visual equipment
- Demonstrated supervisory skills
|
| Required Functional Competencies to Successfully Perform Job Duties. |
Data/Information/Records Management Prepares digital content for online access and streaming
- Prepares and ensures ADA compliance of digital content for online access and streaming
- Processes and manages technical, administrative, and preservation metadata for input in the library's digital content management system
- Records statistics for all patron requests and weekly digitization productivity
- Monitors all digital objects for personally identifiable information, and make metadata notes and uses redaction tools to keep information secure
Knowledge-Technical
- Captures digital images from paper or film according to described specifications and standards according to written guidelines and standards
- Converts analog audio and video using current preservation and digitization standards
- Performs inspection of digital images for completeness and image quality in accordance with patron specifications.
- Manages/performs necessary post-production editing and manipulation of audio, video,and image digital formats, which may include manipulating digital objects in editing software, converting files from and to multiple formats, utilizing Optical CharacterRecognition-OCR software, performing digital to digital format conversion, and formatting for online accessibility according to Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Title II guidelines
- Maintains audiovisual equipment used to reformat analog materials
- Performs additional duties as determined by supervisor
Planning and Organizing Work/Supervision
- Maintains strong production levels and consistently good quality of work
- Handles materials and information in a conscientious and organized way and in compliance with privacy regulations
- Manages multiple ongoing digital projects
- Supervises the work of student assistants in the entirety of the digitization unit
- Coordinates the hiring and training of student assistants
- Works within the parameters of the established student assistant budget
- Decides on the number of student assistants based on project needs and productivity outcomes
- Maintains and updates the division's student assistant handbook and interpret that information for the student assistants
|
| Type of Position |
Permanent Full-Time |
| Staff/Non-Faculty |
Staff/Non-Faculty |
| Appointment Type |
1 |
| Work Schedule/Hours |
Mon.-Fri., 8:00 am - 5:00 pm, occasional off-hours and weekends. |
| Number of Hours Per Week |
40 |
| Number of Months Per Year |
12 |
| Mandatory Staff |
No |
| Physical Demands of Position |
Long periods of sitting; extensive computer use (eye strain), repairing materials requires manipulating tools and working with materials that may have dust and mold; requires working in conservation lab where chemicals are present.
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential job duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions. |
| Overall Competency Level |
Journey |
| Salary Grade Equivalency |
GN07 |
| Salary Range |
|
| Anticipated Hiring Range |
$42,982-$43,740 |
Pay will be commensurate with applicant competencies, budget, equity and market considerations.
Posting Details Information
| Posting Date |
02/26/2026 |
| Closing Date |
03/04/2026 |
| Competency Level Statement |
Management will only consider applicants who meet the required competencies. |
| Special Instructions to Applicants |
Applicant must submit:
- a cover letter,
- a resume,
- the name, email, and telephone number of three to five references who are knowledgeable about your qualifications for this position
|
| Search Chair Name |
Matt Ransom |
| Search Chair Email |
ransommw@appstate.edu |
| Applicant Pool Preference |
External (Post on the Web) |
Departmental Information
| Quick Link |
https://appstate.peopleadmin.com/postings/53400 |
| Posting Number |
201502948P |
|