Head of Collections Imaging

The Folger Shakespeare Library, located on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC, is seeking a Head of Collections Imaging to join the Imaging team within our Collections department. This individual, under the supervision of the Associate Librarian for Collection Description and Imaging, will lead the Imaging team in creating open access images of items in the Folger’s collection for various audiences including researchers, publishers, and in-house clients.

Successful candidates for this position will have demonstrated high attention to detail and solid management and leadership experience. Prior work experience at cultural institutions will be critical to the individual's success in this role.  

The schedule for this role is Monday-Friday 8:45am-4:45pm. This position will occasionally take part in library activities outside regular business hours. Occasional travel may be required. This position will be primarily on-site with openness to hybrid modality. The selected candidate will need to be within a commutable distance to the D.C. office (DC, MD, VA) by their start date.    

Applications must be submitted by 4:30 PM ET on March 29th. The application portal for this role will be closed at that time.  

Supervisory Duties:    The Head of Imaging supervises three full-time employees and other staff as project needs require.

Duties:

• Assumes primary responsibility for digital imaging at the Folger. Optimizes imaging activities, project work, and special services. Collaborates with colleagues from across the institution to design, develop, execute, and analyze new and innovative services, projects, and programs.  
• Creates digital images of items in the Folger collection using direct capture camera and scanning devices.  Creates, or supervises creation of, photography of Exhibitions. Works with digital image management software and database to track and identify images. Uses color management and imaging software in image capture, derivative and finishing processes.   
• Leads, supervises, and mentors a team in the production of digital images of a wide range of special collections materials, e.g., rare or unique books, manuscripts, oil paintings, art objects, ephemera. Trains and supports staff in use of color management and imaging software in image creation and post-production process. Develops new competencies among staff and expands institutional knowledge of current and emerging best practices, tools, and standards for digitization. Assigns work in the team, establishes priorities and arranges staff work schedules to meet deadlines.
• Optimizes, develops, documents, and oversees digitization workflows. Safeguards fragile and rare collection objects throughout the digitization workflow in partnership with conservation and preservation staff. Maintains quality of all digital images produced (currently averaging 10,000 digital images annually).  Follows technical standards and best practices for maintaining adherence to standards.
• Manages office budget, tracking expenses and income, including grant funded projects.  Advises in contract negotiation on special projects.
• Supervises correspondence, billing, cost estimates, and permissions policy and copyright questions. Manages and creates databases for photographic requests, microfilm and digital images.   
• Oversees the imaging studio. Maintains, repairs, and troubleshoots scanning and photography equipment. Researches and suggests replacement equipment when necessary. Advises on new technology. Implements improvements in photographic processes and procedures. Makes recommendations on incorporating new equipment, technologies, policies, and procedures to enhance quality and efficiency. Documents procedures.
• Works with digital asset management software and databases. Manages digital image files and actively contributes to the success of institutional digital preservation goals.  
• Works with Folger departments and outside clients on imaging projects including exhibitions, visual presentations, grant-funded projects, and other digital imaging projects.  
• Produces reports as needed on office policy, operations, workflow, photographic and preservation issues, copyright and permissions. Estimates annual production of digital images.
• Keeps current with imaging technology, standards, and practices in the cultural heritage sector.

Education and Experience:      

• B.A. degree or equivalent experience required, with a major in photography or studio art desired.  
• Minimum of five years’ experience in cultural heritage photography required.   
• Supervisory, planning and project management experience required.
• Experience in handling special collections materials or artwork required.   
• Experience in a library, museum, or archive environment required.
• Database experience required with strong computer literacy.   

Skills and Knowledge:  

• Must have excellent communication and interpersonal skills to work with staff across the institution.   
• Requires excellent decision-making, leadership, managerial, organizational, and analytical skills to manage people, budgets, and resources effectively.  
• Demonstrated commitment to anti-racism, diversity, equity, inclusion, access, and representation in professional, personal, or community settings.  
• Requires knowledge of current technology and standards in the digital imaging field; intellectual property rights and open access policies and trends; preservation issues; descriptive, administrative, and technical metadata formats.  
• Knowledge of proper handling of rare books, manuscripts, and works of art required.  
• Commitment to fostering a collaborative work environment and presenting diplomatic, adaptable and pragmatic approaches to problem-solving.  
• Commitment to nourishing a positive and healthy workplace.  
• Ability to work creatively in a rapidly changing complex environment, set priorities, and meet deadlines.

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