[SOA] FW: Digital Historian (Contract) - German Village Society, Columbus, OH
Johnson, Jennifer
jjohnson at library.ohio.gov
Mon Nov 16 15:20:13 EST 2015
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INTRODUCTION
German Village Society wants to digitize and create a collection of our primary source documents dating back to 1960 when the Society was formed. Items include slides and photographs, printed and digital newsletters, incorporating documents, minutes of early board meetings, awards, art and some 3D items donated to the Society that touched a piece of the neighborhood's history. While these primary source documents have been housed in archival-quality materials, they have not been properly cataloged nor have they been digitized for researchers anywhere to access from a computer. Following on the heels of a successful digitization of our collection of house files, this request for proposal will allow us to finish the digitization job and support three major projects. The proposed project will address the cataloging and photography needs of the Society's collection to extend the useful life of these holdings for research, exhibition, and public programming.
OUTLINE OF WORK
German Village Society seeks an experienced contract digital historian to digitize our 2D and 3D items collected over our 55 years of existence. This position will be responsible for digitally capturing, organizing, optimizing, and preserving the Society's historic images, documents, 3D items and other assets. The position will also create a searchable collection of the items both online and for physical storage and research. The digital historian will work with permanent staff to outline the metadata for the project. The digital historian will work with volunteers to train them in scanning and metadata, then oversee and spot-check their work for quality control. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience with PastPerfect software, and understand not only how to catalog comprehensively to create access points into the collection for the end-user, but develop a collections management policy and best-practices guide for the purpose of being utilized to steward the collection.
The position is responsible for working through a backlog of historical images and other assets, creating an indexed list of search terms, creating metadata to the image files, and uploading as the historian evaluates photographic images for preservation and retention by editing, enhancing, or optimizing the images with digital imaging software. The position requires maintenance of a functional record-keeping system including: development of procedures for digital file retention, maintenance of a master index on the central photo share, cataloged image collections on the central photo share, and other tasks for the conservation and management of the digital archive.
The three projects that the digital historian will support are:
1) Updating the National Register listing for the German Village neighborhood. The Ohio State Historic Preservation Office has expressed support for the German Village's National Register amendment to include history on the neighborhood's preservation initiatives. To create the most impactful amendment, these untapped archives need to be organized in a discernible fashion, which this project will do.
2) A comprehensive signage system for the historic footprint. In August 2015, Phase I of the signage system was completed - defining the parameters for wayfinding, gateway, house marker and storytelling signage. The archive is full of these stories that we intend to tell throughout the neighborhood.
3) Updates to our Visitors Center. More than 10,000 people visit each year, but the Center has not been updated in 20 years. Physical pieces found in the archive and stories of our 55-year preservation history will both be critical to our Visitors Center updates.
The digital historian will work closely with staff to organize the project around these needs to assure a successful outcome.
The German Village Society is the sole owner of the work when completed.
CATALOGING METHODOLOGY
Every object cataloged under the auspices of the grant will have the following minimum information in the catalog record:
* Administrative Metadata: unique object identifier (accession number), collection, gift number, and credit line.
* Descriptive Metadata: title, brief description, object type, subject(s), creator (when applicable), and object date.
* Physical Metadata: dimensions, condition, and location.
The public record that accompanies the digital image of the object will mirror the internal record in the collections management system, without including the administrative metadata (except for the unique object identifier), condition, or location.
DIGITIZATION
Over 8,000 objects will be photographed and digitized under this project when complete. Unless digitizing all pages of an ephemeral object will be harmful to the binding of the object, all pages will be captured and made available to the public as part of this project.
Digital capture will be performed by the digital historian and will be consistent with standards used at the Library of Congress and National Archives and Records Administration.
SCOPE OF WORK AND TIMELINE
The Society has secured the first incremental grant funding to begin the work, and is continue to seek grant funding to underwrite the steps to completion. Therefore, the project will continue as monies are identified. Work can be scheduled any time, provided the room is free and provided that as much as 50% of the time is scheduled to overlap volunteers.
DELIVERABLES FOR FIRST CONTRACT WORK
The first grant is for $10,000 and the successful project proposal will complete at minimum:
* Finalizing collections management policies and procedures for German Village Society. GVS has pieces of these policies, but the successful candidate will finalize our guidelines and update them to current best practices.
* Working with staff, finalize the initial list of metadata. As the project proceeds, the contractor will add to these search terms.
* Accession 1961-2005 paper newsletters of the German Village Society, which began as a monthly service and has become weekly over time. The newsletters are contained in seven 1-inch and three 2-inch binders.
* Digitize 1961-2005 paper newsletters of the German Village Society into PastPerfect with appropriate metadata, labels and search terms.
* Complete upload of 1961-2005 paper newsletters of the German Village Society to our existing PastPerfect online searchable site.
* Organize and oversee volunteers - at least 6 individuals have already expressed interest in a long-term commitment to the project.
If time and budget allow:
* Accession media clip collections. There are two archival boxes.
* Digitize media clip and marketing collections.
* Complete upload media clip and marketing collections to our existing PastPerfect online searchable site.
* Accession marketing collection. There are two archival boxes.
* Digitize our marketing collections.
* Complete upload of marketing collection to our existing PastPerfect online searchable site.
* Write short weekly newsletter submissions with interesting tidbits found in the collection.
TIMELINE FOR REVIEW AND SELECTION
Submit proposals to smarsom at germanvillage.com<mailto:smarsom at germanvillage.com> by noon Dec. 9, 2015.
Finalists will be interviewed week of Dec. 14-18, 2015. Finalists will be notified of interview times on Dec.11.
Project begins Jan.4, 2016.
SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS AND DEADLINE
Applicants should submit a thoughtful, clear, and well-organized proposal packet that includes the components listed below.
* Cover letter - Tell us about your experience in digital history.
* Resume - Show us your past work, including at least two references we may contact.
* Methodology - Describe how you are going to approach the project, and what additional work will be needed to achieve goals.
* Timeline - Show us how you'll organize your hours and volunteers to maximize our project outcomes.
* Provide two examples of your work that is comparable to this project.
Questions about the RFP can be sent via email to todorov at germanvillage.com<mailto:todorov at germanvillage.com>. No phone calls, please.
SELECTION & SUCCESS CRITERIA
* Professional and technical superiority and specialized experience. Requirements include an MLIS degree or current work toward one from an accredited ALA program or equivalent combination of education and experience in a closely related field.
* Working knowledge of digitization/scanning technologies and/or related experience handling archival materials.
* Experience executing post-production image editing.
* The ideal candidate will possess a strong commitment to providing excellent customer service; demonstrated interpersonal skills encompassing the ability to interact with a variety of stakeholders; ability to use technology in creative ways to solve problems and create efficiencies; demonstrated ability to promote teamwork among the volunteers, staff and board.
* Excellent written and verbal communications skills. You'll be called on to recruit volunteers, provide updates to the community on the work and generally create excitement about the project.
* Demonstrated aptitude for quickly learning new topics. The project will require a high degree of efficiency and flexibility and we want to see that skill.
* Experience with Past Perfect.
* Experience with PC platforms.
* Demonstration of effective work quality, cost control, and adherence to schedules and deadlines.
BUDGET
This will be a series of fixed-fee contracts per successful grant application. Contractor selected for first grant period will be invited to continue the work into the next grant, provided the above success factors are demonstrated during the first contract.
PROPOSAL REVIEWS/INTERVIEWS/SELECTION
* An executive team from the German Village Society staff, Historic Preservation Committee and/or Board will review the proposals. If staff requests an interview with a submitter, the interview will be required to be held week of Nov. 9-13, 2015.
* The selected Contractor will be notified on or before Nov. 20, 2015 and will be expected to start work and deliver a contract by Dec. 1, 2015. If the respondent is unable or unwilling to do so the German Village Society has the right to request another respondent to enter into contract with the organization.
* All dates in this RFP are subject to change at the discretion of German Village Society, and notice of any changes will be provided to all respondents.
* Prospective applicants are advised that no obligations or commitments are incurred by German Village Society in soliciting proposals. The German Village Society reserves the right to reject all proposals, decline to proceed with selection and may request additional information. The Society reserves the right as well to cancel, amend or re-issue this RFP.
THE HISTORY OF GERMAN VILLAGE
German Village is a historic neighborhood just south of downtown Columbus, Ohio. Initially platted in 1814 in Columbus's South End, the German Village area primarily developed between 1840 and 1914. It was settled largely by German immigrants in the mid 1800s. German descendants at one time comprised as much as a third of the population of the entire city of Columbus. German immigrants who arrived in the South End in the 1850s immediately felt at home: people spoke German in the stores, schools, and churches; their homes were solid yet unpretentious.
After work, bakers, stonecutters, storekeepers, carpenters, tanners, bricklayers, and brewery workers relaxed in nearby bier gartens. Most belonged to gymnastic and singing societies. This simple, yet distinctive working-class neighborhood was a little bit of Germany.
German Village grew and developed before anyone thought of zoning regulations. As a result, businesses were scattered throughout the neighborhood, though few blocks had more than one or two commercial buildings. This allowed the Village to retain its predominantly residential character. Typically, a business owner set up shop on the first floor and lived above the store.
German Village Society was incorporated on January 10, 1960, by group of pioneers set on saving the neighborhood. The City of Columbus officially recognized historic preservation activities in its South End in July of 1960 by renaming the area German Village. Concerned citizens managed to save the neighborhood's historic architecture from demolition by successfully lobbying in that same year for a local commission. The German Village Commission and the German Village Historic District were established by Ordinance # 976-60 and 1221-60 in 1960. The German Village Commission has power over external changes made to buildings.
In the early 1960s, the German Village Society worked to have the entire area rezoned. It changed from manufacturing and commercial to AR-1, high density residential. This classification eliminated industrial uses and limited commercial uses. Working together, the Society and the Commission made a positive impact on the Village in a very short time. According to building permit records, in 1962 owners and investors made over $1 million in improvements. At this time, some buildings had price tags under $5,000.
In 1963, the Columbus City Council passed Chapter 3325 of the Columbus Zoning Code, creating the German Village Historic District. This ordinance also gave the German Village Commission design review authority. Thus, the Village became one of the nation's few historic districts with an architectural review board to preserve its character. The Society also petitioned and received a listing on the National Register of Historic Places on December 30, 1974.
The German Village Society presently has nearly 1,000 preservationist-minded members who are dedicated to maintaining the historic quality of the buildings and neighborhood. As a result, German Village is currently considered one of the most desirable areas to live in the city, if not the premiere place in Columbus to live. More than 1,600 buildings have been restored since 1960, and it is credited as one of the premiere restoration districts in the world. On November 28, 1980, its boundaries were expanded to the current 233 acre footprint. By the 1980s, restoration efforts were nearly complete.
TODAY
Today, German Village is a model of urban neighborhood preservation and revitalization - a nationally recognized success story. The average home price in the neighborhood is $377,450 and several are well over $1 million. The Village has a single commercially zoned strip along Livingston Avenue, and the rest of the neighborhood is mixed use. There is some concentration of businesses along Third, Mohawk and Whittier Streets. German Village is mostly a residential neighborhood of sturdy, red-brick homes with wrought iron fences along treelined, brick-paved streets.
ABOUT THE GERMAN VILLAGE SOCIETY
The German Village Society is a non-profit charitable association that works on the behalf of the community and city to preserve our historic neighborhood by: - Educating local and state government leaders to value, protect and enhance our community. - Supporting the historical character of our properties. - Providing a Visitor Center to welcome and educate visitors. - Providing a Meeting Haus for gathering and celebrating. - Partnering with other organizations to enhance our parks and the presence of the arts in our community. - Encouraging volunteerism and supporting social events that weave the community together, that introduce new friends and that help make the Village a vibrant, engaged community.
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
Sarah Marsom
Historic Preservation Advocate
German Village Society
Meeting Haus | 588 S. Third Street
Columbus, OH 43215
O: 614-221-8888
F: 614-222-4747
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