Digital Archivist Onboarding Process
Are you looking for help setting up a staff orientation process so that when your new Digital Archivist starts their role, they can learn about their responsibilities and your company as quickly as possible? Whether you’re keen to use buddy onboarding, want to automate your Library onboarding experience or just need an onboarding checklist for your new Digital Archivist, you’re in the right place. We’ve put together a sample Digital Archivist onboarding checklist below and have created onboarding templates & resources to help.
Digital Archivist Onboarding Checklist
1. Introduction to the company: The new digital archivist should be provided with a comprehensive introduction to the company, including its mission, values, organizational structure, and key personnel. This task is typically performed by the HR department or a designated onboarding specialist.
2. Familiarization with the library’s digital collections: The digital archivist needs to become familiar with the library’s existing digital collections, including the types of materials, formats, and metadata standards used. This task can be facilitated by the library’s digital collections manager or a senior archivist.
3. Understanding the library’s digitization processes: The new digital archivist should be educated on the library’s digitization processes, including the equipment, software, and workflows used. This task is typically performed by the digitization team or a designated digitization specialist.
4. Training on digital preservation best practices: It is crucial for the digital archivist to receive training on digital preservation best practices, including file formats, storage systems, backup strategies, and metadata standards. This task can be conducted by the library’s digital preservation officer or a senior archivist with expertise in this area.
5. Introduction to the library’s content management system: The digital archivist should be introduced to the library’s content management system (CMS) or digital asset management system (DAMS), which is used to organize and provide access to digital collections. This task is typically performed by the library’s CMS/DAMS administrator or a designated system specialist.
6. Collaboration with metadata librarians: The digital archivist should collaborate with metadata librarians to ensure accurate and consistent metadata creation and management for digital collections. This task involves working closely with the library’s metadata librarians or a designated metadata specialist.
7. Familiarization with copyright and intellectual property laws: The new digital archivist should receive training on copyright and intellectual property laws relevant to digital collections, ensuring compliance and proper rights management. This task can be facilitated by the library’s legal department or a designated copyright specialist.
8. Collaboration with IT department: The digital archivist should collaborate with the IT department to ensure the smooth functioning of digital preservation systems, troubleshoot technical issues, and implement necessary updates. This task involves working closely with the library’s IT department or a designated IT specialist.
9. Participation in professional development activities: The digital archivist should be encouraged to participate in professional development activities, such as attending conferences, workshops, and webinars, to stay updated on emerging trends and technologies in the field. This task can be facilitated by the library’s professional development coordinator or a designated mentor.
10. Building relationships with colleagues: The new digital archivist should be encouraged to build relationships with colleagues across different departments, fostering collaboration and knowledge sharing. This task involves actively engaging with colleagues and participating in team-building activities organized by the HR department or a designated team lead
Setting Up Your Employee Onboarding Process
From reading through the items in the example Digital Archivist checklist above, you’ll now have an idea of how you can apply best practices to getting your new Digital Archivist up to speed and working well in your Library team. Scroll up to see the link to our onboarding templates & resources or get in touch to discuss getting help setting up your systems and processes in this area.