Overview
The Auraria Library is a tri-institutional academic research library serving Community College of Denver, Metropolitan State University of Denver, University of Colorado Denver, and the local community. Special and Digital Collections works with collections of unique and special materials including newspapers, manuscripts, audiovisual objects, photographs, rare books, and ephemera, many of which pertain to the history of Auraria and Denver.

The Digitization Assistant supports the Department Head, Archivist Librarian, and Digital Initiatives Librarian in the digitization, description, and online access of archival materials. During digitization, the student scans materials, processes digital files, creates descriptive information, and uploads materials to Auraria Library’s digital repository. Through this position, the student will learn about special collections, archival practices, digitization, and digital repositories.

Located in downtown Denver, Colorado, the Auraria Campus is home to three institutions of higher education – University of Colorado Denver, Metropolitan State University of Denver, and Community College of Denver – MSU, CCD, and UC Denver are Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSI), and UC Denver has finalized Asian American, Native American, and Pacific Islander Serving Institution (AANAPISI) status. The Auraria Library serves the campus’ over 35,000 students, the majority of whom are from the first-generation in their family to enroll in higher education. The majority of our students are Black, Indigenous, and/or People of Color, and we also serve large populations of veterans, transfer students, adult learners, and other populations that have been historically underserved. Auraria Library is committed to diversity within its community and welcomes applications from candidates across all dimensions and identities. The library seeks candidates who embrace a multicultural, diverse, and inclusive workplace, and who strive to incorporate those values in their work and interactions. Please see our library values and diversity initiatives.

Reports To
Special and Digital Collections Digital Initiatives Librarian

Position Summary
The Digitization Assistant helps preserve and provide access to archival collections by digitizing materials, creating and maintaining metadata according to standards set by the Digital Initiatives Librarian, organizing digital files, and assisting in uploading content to the Library’s digital repository. The student worker will work with a variety of archival and born-digital materials while following established archival standards, digitization best practices, and departmental procedures.

Job Duties

Digitization

  • Handles fragile archival materials with care and avoids damage during the digitization process
  • Scans archival materials utilizing flatbed scanner and/or overhead scanner to create files for both preservation and accessibility purposes
  • Edits digital files using minimal photo and file editing with Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Acrobat to ensure accurate, high-quality digital reproductions
  • Uses provided spreadsheets to create metadata that provides context for and increases the findability of the materials
  • Describes newly digitized and born-digital materials following archival procedures and standards using available historical information and cross-referencing sources
  • Assists in uploading digital files and metadata to the Special and Digital Collections digital repository utilizing the Ubiquity Press/Paradigm platform
  • Organizes, renames, and manages digital files following departmental file management standards
  • Performs quality control checks on digital files and metadata to ensure accuracy and consistency to standards set by the Digital Initiatives Librarian
  • Processes digital files to comply with accessibility standards and requirements at the direction of the Digital Initiatives Librarian

Additional Duties

  • Contributes to special projects and other duties as assigned in support of Special and Digital Collections

Compensation: $19.29/hr up to 10 hours per week

Application Deadline: Open Until Filled

Schedule: Student work hours will typically fall between 8:30 am and 5 pm, Monday through Friday.

Start-Date: August 2026

Minimum Qualifications 

  • Interest in history, archives, libraries, preservation, digital collections, and/or information accessibility
  • Knowledge of or experience with library classification systems, file and photo editing software, and/or office scanners
  • Ability to handle fragile materials carefully and follow detailed procedures
  • Must be eligible for a work-study award and provide the official work-study eligibility email prior to being considered for an interview:
    • Work-Study Students: Undergraduate work-study students MUST be enrolled for at least 6 credit hours throughout a semester, including summer semesters.
    • Graduate Work-Study Students: MUST be enrolled in at least 3 credit hours throughout a semester, including summer semesters (except in the case of students completing their thesis and/or dissertation credit during a single summer semester).

Once awarded, students must maintain their financial aid eligibility throughout a given semester. Students who drop below the credit hour requirement, or withdraw during a semester, may only earn work-study funding through their last day of attendance.

Preferred Qualifications

  • Experience with digital media, metadata, graphic arts, archives, libraries, or related field
  • Experience with digitization equipment
  • Basic familiarity with Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Acrobat, or Microsoft Excel

Physical Demands of Position

Bending, lifting, and pushing loaded book carts, using library step stools, and frequently handling materials up to 30 pounds. Accommodations to ensure ADA compliance can be made upon request.

Skills and Experience Gained

  • Demonstrated ability to organize and complete projects
  • Ability to work independently and in team settings
  • Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing
  • Proficiency in common digitization equipment (flatbed scanners, overhead scanners, etc.)
  • Knowledge of fragile materials-handling (books, manuscripts, newspapers, etc.)

Through this position, students will gain practical experience in:

  • Archival processing and preservation practices
  •  Digitization workflows and imaging standards
  • Metadata creation and management
  • Digital repositories and content management systems
  • Digital preservation concepts
  • Working with unique historical and cultural heritage collections

Conditions of Employment

  • Must be enrolled in a University of Colorado Denver, Metropolitan State University of Denver, or Community College of Denver work-study program.

Application Instructions & Availability

To apply, email a copy of your Fall 2026 course schedule, work-study eligibility email, availability, resume, and a brief statement of interest to jenny.huffman@ucdenver.edu. Please specify the position you are applying for in the subject line. 

All applicants are required to have a work-study award to be considered for hire. Please follow the link below for work-study application instructions.

https://www.ucdenver.edu/student-finances/financial-aid/types/work-study 

Position Start-Date

August 2026