City of Norfolk, VA
Digitization Librarian (Librarian I)
City of Norfolk, VA, Norfolk, Virginia, United States, 23500
The Digitization Librarian is responsible for digitizing and cataloging archival materials—documents, images, and other historically significant items—to help preserve the region’s history for future generations. While this role involves direct work with historical materials, the librarian’s primary focus is a combination of assisting patrons with their research requests. Whether stationed at the service desk or working behind the scenes, the librarian plays a crucial role in connecting patrons with the information they seek from the collection. When not directly assisting patrons, the librarian dedicates time to digitizing and cataloging archival holdings, ensuring they are accessible and properly described. The librarian also assists with rehousing digitized materials, ensuring they are stored using industry‑standard containers and preservation methods.
Typical Work Distribution
50% Research support and patron assistance
45% Digitization and cataloging
5% Programming, training, and other duties
The Sargeant Memorial Collection (SMC) serves as the Norfolk Public Library’s primary repository for local history and genealogy resources. Its origins date back to 1894, when William Sargeant became Norfolk’s first professional librarian and envisioned a library resource containing local directories and newspapers to satisfy the community’s curiosity about its past. The collection was formally established in 1927 in honor of Sargeant’s dedication. Today, the SMC houses a diverse array of materials, including over 26,000 cataloged books, approximately 2,500 linear feet of special collections, and archival city records spanning from the early 1700s to the early 2000s. Each year, SMC staff respond to nearly 700 research requests from across the country and around the world. Since 2005, the SMC has undertaken a digitization initiative to selectively preserve items from its holdings. Currently, the collection includes approximately 16,000 digital items in its online digital asset management system and around 10 terabytes of digitized content. The SMC is equipped with several professional flatbed scanners and a large‑format scanner capable of handling materials up to 40x60 inches in a single pass. Notable collections include the Virginian‑Pilot newspaper photograph morgue (mid‑1920s to 2000), the Photo Craftsman Photograph Collection, the Guaranty Title and Trust Company records, the Norfolk Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority records, and the papers of William Conway Whittle, Jr.
Essential Functions
Professional knowledge of research, public history, and library services to perform reference functions after training in software, NPL policies and procedures in accordance with the ALA Library Bill of Rights, Freedom to Read statement, the SAA Core Values of Archivists, and the Code of Ethics for Archivists.
Conduct historical and genealogical research for patrons.
Coordinate and oversee digitization for legacy and newly acquired collections, including assessing, digitizing, cataloging, and rehousing.
Create automated finding aids and catalog collections into a collection management and digital asset management system.
Act as manager on duty when the department supervisor is not available, providing reference services, resolving patron problems, overseeing staff projects, acting as the main contact for facility maintenance and security, and occasionally working evenings or weekends.
Perform donor relations, collection development, and program management duties as part of an archives team.
Participate in programming including planning, scheduling, execution, and evaluation.
Conduct outreach activities, consulting with outside entities on best practices in archiving and arranging records.
Assist in generating reports on various usage of the collection and departmental activities.
Evaluate different parts of the collection to assess usage, recommend purchases, and deaccession archival materials as necessary.
Train new staff in archival processing, digitization, and public service duties and functions.
Qualifications
Master’s degree in Library Science from an ALA accredited university.
One year of professional experience in library services or a related field.
Preferred Candidate
Minimum of one-year experience in historical research, genealogical research, special collections, archival studies, and/or library services.
Coursework in archival studies.
Demonstratable digitization experience.
State of Virginia Professional Librarian Certification within six months of employment.
Valid driver’s license.
Seniority Level Entry level
Employment Type Full‑time
Job Function Other
Industries Government Administration
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Typical Work Distribution
50% Research support and patron assistance
45% Digitization and cataloging
5% Programming, training, and other duties
The Sargeant Memorial Collection (SMC) serves as the Norfolk Public Library’s primary repository for local history and genealogy resources. Its origins date back to 1894, when William Sargeant became Norfolk’s first professional librarian and envisioned a library resource containing local directories and newspapers to satisfy the community’s curiosity about its past. The collection was formally established in 1927 in honor of Sargeant’s dedication. Today, the SMC houses a diverse array of materials, including over 26,000 cataloged books, approximately 2,500 linear feet of special collections, and archival city records spanning from the early 1700s to the early 2000s. Each year, SMC staff respond to nearly 700 research requests from across the country and around the world. Since 2005, the SMC has undertaken a digitization initiative to selectively preserve items from its holdings. Currently, the collection includes approximately 16,000 digital items in its online digital asset management system and around 10 terabytes of digitized content. The SMC is equipped with several professional flatbed scanners and a large‑format scanner capable of handling materials up to 40x60 inches in a single pass. Notable collections include the Virginian‑Pilot newspaper photograph morgue (mid‑1920s to 2000), the Photo Craftsman Photograph Collection, the Guaranty Title and Trust Company records, the Norfolk Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority records, and the papers of William Conway Whittle, Jr.
Essential Functions
Professional knowledge of research, public history, and library services to perform reference functions after training in software, NPL policies and procedures in accordance with the ALA Library Bill of Rights, Freedom to Read statement, the SAA Core Values of Archivists, and the Code of Ethics for Archivists.
Conduct historical and genealogical research for patrons.
Coordinate and oversee digitization for legacy and newly acquired collections, including assessing, digitizing, cataloging, and rehousing.
Create automated finding aids and catalog collections into a collection management and digital asset management system.
Act as manager on duty when the department supervisor is not available, providing reference services, resolving patron problems, overseeing staff projects, acting as the main contact for facility maintenance and security, and occasionally working evenings or weekends.
Perform donor relations, collection development, and program management duties as part of an archives team.
Participate in programming including planning, scheduling, execution, and evaluation.
Conduct outreach activities, consulting with outside entities on best practices in archiving and arranging records.
Assist in generating reports on various usage of the collection and departmental activities.
Evaluate different parts of the collection to assess usage, recommend purchases, and deaccession archival materials as necessary.
Train new staff in archival processing, digitization, and public service duties and functions.
Qualifications
Master’s degree in Library Science from an ALA accredited university.
One year of professional experience in library services or a related field.
Preferred Candidate
Minimum of one-year experience in historical research, genealogical research, special collections, archival studies, and/or library services.
Coursework in archival studies.
Demonstratable digitization experience.
State of Virginia Professional Librarian Certification within six months of employment.
Valid driver’s license.
Seniority Level Entry level
Employment Type Full‑time
Job Function Other
Industries Government Administration
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