Project: THA Australian Theatre Programs Digitisation project (see the project on the THA Digital website)
Hours: Work at your own pace (min. 1 morning or afternoon per week)
Location: Remote/work from home
Background and Purpose of the position
THA has access to several thousand Australian theatre programs dating back to the 1920s. These programs are a vital source of information on Australian theatre history, containing names of actors, writers, directors, choreographers, designers etc, as well as details of national/regional theatrical tours. Making this information accessible helps researchers to piece together a comprehensive view of theatrical activity in Australia during the twentieth century.
The aim of the Australian Theatre Programs Digitisation Project is to digitise the programs and make them available to the public via our online archive, THA Digital.
Digitisation involves a number of processes:–
- Scanning – each individual page of the theatre programs must be scanned.
- Compiling – the scans are compiled and exported as a PDF, which is then uploaded to the THA Digital website.
- Search data – meta data is added to each of the uploaded files to make the contents accessible via search.
Responsibilities and duties
SCANNERS/SEARCH DATA
We are currently calling for volunteers to assist us with Scanning the programs, and adding Search data to the uploaded files. Scanning and adding Search data require only minimal technical experience and instructions will be provided to volunteers.
Volunteer scanners must have access to a flatbed scanner and importantly, volunteers must know how to use the equipment (given the large number of scanners on the market, we are unable to offer specific technical support for every type of scanner, therefeore it is important that you have a good working knowledge of your own scanner and computer).
COMPILERS
Compling the scans into a PDF requires a greater degree of technical knowledge and access to Adobe Photoshop and Acrobat Pro. If you have skills using these software packages, please indicate your experience level in the Application form.
Requirements
As this is a remote/work from home role, volunteers are free to choose their own working hours, although at minimum we ask volunteers to commit to one morning or afternoon per week. Only volunteers living in Australia are eligible to apply.
If you wish to volunteer for the SCANNERS/SEARCH DATA role, you must have access to your own computer (with internet connection), as well as an A4 (or A3) flatbed colour scanner capapable of scanning at a minimum 600dpi.
If you wish to volunteer for the COMPILER role, in addition to the above, you will also need to have access to Adobe Photoshop and Acrobat Pro (or equivalent software).
Relationships
Volunteers will work under the guidance of the Australian Theatre Programs Digitisation Project co-ordinator.
- basic training will be provided, and general support is available however volunteers are expected to have a good working knowledge of how to use their own computer and scanning equipment.
- the project co-ordinator will liaise with volunteers to ensure project timelines are maintained.
