Audio Digitization and Metadata Specialist

University of Alabama Libraries; Nashville (TN); Hybrid; USD 45,000 - 70,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental, Vision, LifeInsurance

Paid Vacation and Sick Days

Paid Holidays and Floating Holidays

401(k) with Employer Match

Free Museum Admission

Job summary

Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum in Nashville is seeking an audio digitization and metadata specialist to organize, digitize, and describe the museum’s collection of over 300,000 sound recordings. The role focuses on applying professional standards for cataloging and preservation.

You will work with archives staff to digitize formats, create metadata, and support exhibitions, education programs, social media, and the online archive, while maintaining equipment and workflows.

Qualifications

• Degree in Library and Information Science, Archival Studies, Museum Studies, Public History, or Audio Engineering.
• One year of professional experience with recorded sound collections in a museum, library, archive, or production/research.
• Knowledge of digitization standards and best practices for recorded sound.
• Experience with sound digitization hardware and metadata standards.
• Experience with sound editing software and with Macs.
• Proficiency with personal computers and software.
• Familiarity with country music history.

Responsibilities

• Digitize recorded sound formats for the online archive.
• Create accurate descriptive metadata for records.
• Arrange, rehouse, and describe physical formats.
• Maintain professional standards for collection processing and storage.
• Research, curate, and edit recorded sound content for exhibitions, educational programs, social media, and website.
• Perform general maintenance of audio equipment.
• Other duties as assigned.

Skills

Collaboration

Attention to detail

Time management

Verbal and written communication

Metadata standards

Mac proficiency

Education

Library and Information Science

Archival Studies

Museum Studies

Public History

Audio Engineering

Job description

Company Overview: A

accredited by the American Alliance of Museums, the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum has been called the “Smithsonian of country music,” celebrated for its broad cultural impact, educational mission, and unrivaled collection of historically important artifacts. Chartered by the state of Tennessee in 1964, the Museum is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, educational organization that documents and interprets the history of country music. The Museum collects objects and archival materials that illustrate the evolving history and traditions of country music and provides diverse learning opportunities through educational programs, publications, and exhibitions.

First opened in 1967 on Nashville’s Music Row, the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum launched its current downtown location in 2001. In 2014, the Museum unveiled a $100 million expansion that doubled its footprint. The Museum now encompasses 350,000 square feet of exhibition galleries, archival storage, retail stores, and event space. The Museum owns Hatch Show Print, a letterpress print shop opened in 1879, and it operates Historic RCA Studio B, where Dolly Parton, Elvis Presley, and many others recorded. In addition, the Museum offers the Taylor Swift Education Center for students, teachers, and families, and dedicated performance spaces in the CMA Theater and Ford Theater, both of which regularly host nationally recognized live music and cultural events.

In 2024, the Museum was awarded the prestigious National Medal of Arts by President Joe Biden. The medal is the highest award given to artists and arts institutions by the United States government. The White House Citation, which accompanied the medal, recognized the Museum’s work, which “preserves history, honors giants of the genre, and inspires future generations to write their own songs about the American story.”

What We Offer for Full-Time Staff:

• Medical, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance Options
• Competitive Pay
• Paid Vacation and Sick Days
• Paid Holidays (14) and Floating Holidays (2)
• 401(K) with Up To 3% Employer Match
• Employee Assistance Program (Free Counseling and Legal Services)
• Eligibility for Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness
• FREE 24/7 Downtown Parking and Transit Benefits
• Continuing Professional Offerings
• Complimentary Museum Admission (For Yourself, Family, and Friends)
• Reciprocal Partnerships with Local Venues (The Nashville Zoo, National Museum of African American Music, tours at The Opry and The Ryman Auditorium, and more)
• Up to 25% Discount in Retail Stores and Onsite Restaurant Venues
• Opportunities to Attend Exhibit Openings, Concerts and Special Events
• Employee Engagement Activities and Opportunities
• FSA and Dependent Care Options
• Dog Friendly Work Environment
• Volunteering and Community Engagement Opportunities

Position Overview:

Reporting to the Director of Library and Archival Collections, the audio digitization and metadata specialist organizes, digitizes, and describes content from the museum’s collection of over 300,000 sound recordings.

Specific Duties Include:

• Digitize recorded sound formats (primarily grooved discs and magnetic tape) for the online digital archive based on institutional priorities
• Create accurate descriptive metadata for records in the online digital archive
• Arrange, rehouse, and describe various physical recorded sound formats
• Maintain professional standards and best practices for collection processing, storage, handling, and use
• Research, curate, and edit recorded sound content for the museum’s exhibitions, educational programs, social media, and website
• Perform general maintenance and alignment of audio equipment
• Other duties as assigned

Minimum Requirements:

• Degree in relevant field (Library and Information Science, Archival Studies, Museum Studies, Public History, Audio Engineering)
• One year of professional experience working with recorded sound collections in a museum, library, archive, or in a production/research capacity
• Knowledge of digitization standards and best practices for recorded sound collections
• Knowledge of current and historic recorded sound processes, signs of deterioration, and their individual preservation requirements
• Experience with industry-standard digital asset management systems and metadata standards
• Experience with recorded sound digitization hardware
• Experience with recorded sound editing software
• Proficiency and capabilities with personal computers (including Mac products) and software
• Familiarity with the history of country music and key figures within the genre

Preferred Qualifications:

• Demonstrated understanding of the scholarly use of archival collections and of current developments in the field
• Strong working knowledge of country music and its ever-evolving history
• Experience providing recorded sound content for museum exhibitions
• Knowledge of copyright laws pertaining to recorded sound content

Key Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills & Abilities):

• Ability to work collaboratively
• Knowledge of archival content, structure, and metadata standards
• Respect for country music as an art form and a commitment to continually expand knowledge of country music’s history
• Keen attention to detail and strong time management skills
• Ability to prioritize and manage multiple projects
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills