Late to the party as usual, but we want to share some of the hashtags on Twitter where we are finding info from this weekend’s sessions. We are also seeking volunteers to share their notes and observations from the PARS and RBMS sessions here on PCAN. Drop us a note either in the comments or through email if you want to share.

#digitization

#archives

#alamw12

#alamw

#ALCTS

2011 HP Image Permanence Award

Congratulations to Nora Kennedy, Sherman Fairchild Conservator of
Photographs at the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the 2011 recipient
of the HP Image Permanence Award. This award is given by the Society
for Imaging Science and Technology (IS&T) in partnership with the
International Institute for Conservation (IIC) and is sponsored by
the Hewlett-Packard Company.

Nora is specifically being recognized for her outstanding
contributions that advance the longevity of photographic and fine
art images created via modern digital methods in the form of her
co-leadership with Debra Hess Norris in organizing the Mellon
Sponsored Collaborative Workshops in Photograph Conservation, the
creation and distribution of digital sample book for two of the
workshops and for leading the creation of the Photograph Information
Record (PIR). Since any single digital print process can change in
behavior from generation to generation in only a few years, the PIR
is an important link between the object and the actual materials
that produced it.

Nora’s willingness to engage contemporary artists in discussion
regarding materials choices, exhibition and mounting (all related to
preservation) as well as the general care of photographs including
digital prints was also noted by the awards committee.

The PCAN Editors would like to express our congratulations to Nora for a job well done!

Jan Merrill-Oldham, a leader in
library and archives preservation who
contributed immeasurably to the field,
was a mentor and motivator to many,
encouraging them not only to enter into
the field of preservation but to be movers
and shakers as she was throughout her
service. Her extensive writings gave
others valid resources to utilize in their
programs. Jan impacted and touched
many of our lives. We dedicate this issue
of Archival Products NEWS to honor
Jan and her lifelong contributions to
library preservation.

The Conservation Center for Art and Historic Artifacts, the regional
paper conservation laboratory located in Philadelphia, PA, is
pleased to offer a twelve-month fellowship in the conservation of
works on paper beginning September 3, 2012.  The candidate will have
the opportunity to work on a wide range of paper-based materials, in
a modern, well-equipped conservation laboratory.  The candidate may
also have the opportunity to participate in on-site collection
surveys and/or treatment projects.

The applicant should have a Master’s Degree from a recognized
conservation training program or have equivalent experience from a
formal apprenticeship.  Stipend is based on a salary of $29,000/year
plus benefits, two weeks vacation, two weeks research leave, and a
$2,000 travel allowance.

Interested applicants should send resume, three professional references, and three sample treatment reports to

Mary Schobert
Director of Paper Conservation
CCAHA
264 South 23rd Street
Philadelphia PA 19103

For a complete job description and instructions on applying, click here.

Responsibilities

• Constructs custom fitted enclosures for library materials following established guidelines and procedures. These can include four-flap boxes, corrugated and cloth-covered drop spine boxes, polyester encapsulations, pamphlet bindings, fitting Tyvek envelopes, etc.
• Measures collection material for vendor-supplied enclosures and manages the ordering, receipt and QC workflow for these items.
• Performs quality control on student assistant’s work.
• Performs minor repairs including mold removal and page mends.

Education

Required: Two years post secondary education and/or an equivalent combination of relevant education and experience.

Experience

Required: Minimum three months experience working in conservation of rare or valuable books and paper artifacts either in a library/archives setting or in a private conservation lab; demonstrated manual dexterity required to perform assigned tasks; able to handle sharp tools and large bindery equipment; able to manage multiple projects simultaneously excellent interpersonal, oral and written communication skills; able to work independently and as a member of a team; demonstrated proficiency using computer based technology; ability to effectively organize and prioritize daily work; demonstrated commitment to customer service.

Preferred: Applied knowledge of library or archival preservation; prior student supervisory experience.

Gaylord Brothers Preservation Internship

Location:  Rate of Pay: $5,000 total for 12 week assignment

Hours    37.5 hours per week

Flexible schedule

12 week assignment

Job #     028540

Syracuse University Library is pleased to announce the second Gaylord Brothers Preservation Internship. This grant funded internship is intended to give current graduate students and recent graduates of  preservation/conservation programs the opportunity to apply their skills and knowledge of care and treatment of library and archives materials in an academic library.

Interns will also learn about the overall functioning and organization of the Department of Preservation and Conservation and will undertake and complete a project based on their interests and skills, and the needs and capabilities of Syracuse University Library.

The intern will also visit Gaylord Brothers to learn about the archival supply market and see how products are manufactured. To read the experiences of our first intern go to <http://library.syr.edu/about/departments/preservation/internships/intern.php>

The internship provides a $5,000 stipend (taxable) as well as support for attending the AIC Annual Conference. Gaylord will pay all required registration fees and reasonable expenses, including but not limited to hotel, transportation, and meals. In exchange for accepting this support to attend AIC, the intern will assist in staffing the Gaylord Booth at the conference during breaks.

Applicants should be current students or recent graduates of a program of library/archives preservation administration or conservation, art conservation with some experience in books and paper, or equivalent such as The North Bennet Street School.

Applicants must be able to demonstrate bookbinding and conservation skills with actual treatment examples and documentation before the anticipated start date of this internship. Models may be submitted in addition to the actual treatments.

Applicants must commit to 12 consecutive weeks of full-time employment as interns. Scheduling of the internship dates is flexible.

The intern will offer one hands-on workshop of regional interest at Syracuse University Library .

At the end of the internship, the intern will submit a final article/report about their project that can be used in Library and Gaylord publicity.

To apply for the Gaylord Brothers Preservation Internship please submit the following items along with your online application: cover letter; current resume; and contact information for two professional references (include address, phone number and e-mail address for each reference)

In Addition, the following information must be submitted by email directly to Peter Verheyen @ pdverhey@syr.edu, or can be included as part of your cover letter; your statement of interest (include projects of interest and your long term professional goals); description of your program including requirements and course descriptions (indicating the classes you have completed).

Online application form (required): <https://www.sujobopps.com>, then “Search Open Positions” in the left navigation menu, then “028540″ in the Job # field.

Application Deadline: 01-31-2012

Howard-Tilton Memorial Library invites applications for the position of Preservation Librarian. The library seeks to build its professional staff by recruiting talented, energetic librarians interested in shaping the future of Tulane University and New Orleans  

POSITION SUMMARY
The Preservation Librarian is a detailed- and team-oriented librarian who works closely with Tulane’s main library collection, offsite storage collection, and special collections including the Louisiana Research Collection, Hogan Jazz Archive, Latin American Library and Southeastern Architectural Archives.  Reporting to the Director of Technical Services, the librarian will organize and maintain a comprehensive preservation assessment program for a broad range of physical collections, seek outside funding including grants, establish goals and objectives to develop a conservation lab and for the conservation of aged and damaged materials, advise on climate control as needed, advise on preservation issues including disaster preparedness, and conduct awareness programs for staff and users. S/he will contribute service to library committees and task forces as well as to professional associations.

QUALIFICATIONS
Required:  ALA-accredited MLS with a focus in preservation; understanding of library preservation and conservation issues, standards, trends, and best practices; ability to see the library as a whole and understand how preservation activities relate to its core mission; demonstrated concern for and expertise in handling physical collections; ability to work as part of a team as well as independently; excellent problem solving skills and attention to details; ability to be flexible and adapt to rapid change; excellent interpersonal, written, and oral communication skills; and a valid driver’s license.

Preferred:  The candidate should have two years of work experience in preservation or conservation, or equivalent hands-on training; experience with grant writing and funding; experience with climate monitoring and control; experience supervising staff; experience with disaster preparedness documentation.

Salary/Benefits: Salary is commensurate with qualifications and experience. Librarians are academic appointees; librarians do not have tenure or faculty rank, but in other respects receive the benefits of faculty members; generous benefits including a choice of health plans, tuition waiver for self, and undergraduate tuition waiver for dependents.

Environment Tulane University is an AAU/Carnegie Research Institution and ranked by U.S. News and World Report among the top fifty national universities in the United States. The university is located in beautiful uptown New Orleans where it borders the St. Charles Avenue streetcar line and Audubon Park. Howard-Tilton Memorial Library is the University’s main library with an ARL research collection of more than four million titles.

To Apply Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled with an expected start date of April 1, 2012, or earlier. To ensure full consideration, applicants must submit a letter of application, résumé, and names with full contact information of at least three professional references via email to Andrea Bacino (abacino@tulane.edu) or mail to:

Tulane University
Howard-Tilton Memorial Library
Attn: Andrea Bacino
7001 Freret St. 2nd floor
New Orleans LA 70118

Head, Library Preservation, Princeton University Library

Requisition Number 0110816,

Grade 630, Full Time, Benefits Eligible

Princeton University Library is searching for an innovative and dynamic individual to head the Library’s Preservation Office. The Preservation Office serves the Princeton University Library system as well as University faculty, students, staff and community.

This position also oversees the full range of library preservation efforts, including, but not limited to, disaster response planning and recovery initiatives, collaborating on critical preventive programs such as commercial binding or deacidification projects, manages environmental monitoring and pest management programs, and manages environmental datalogger installations in multiple locations. Also advises on library facilities projects.

The Preservation Office and Lab is housed in Firestone Library, which is undergoing a 10 year long renovation project. The successful candidate will work with Preservation staff to define the space needs, as well as new practices and workflows that will comprehensively serve the preservation needs of the PUL system and its collections.

Essential Qualifications:

Required: MLS degree from an ALA-accredited library program or equivalent experience. Strong library preservation experience or equivalent training/experience. Minimum 3 years of relevant professional experience.

A candidate must have strong demonstrated leadership and supervisory skills, as well as organizational and planning skills, demonstrated analytical thinking and problem-solving skills, and the ability to work in a complex, collaborative, and changing environment with diverse staff and users.

He/she must have excellent communication skills, both written and oral.

He/she must be knowledgeable of new technologies and strategies that affect the field of preservation.

The candidate must have demonstrated experience managing an array of diversified projects as well as managing budgets, and must have a proven record in grant writing and fund-procurement, as well as familiarity with funding agencies for print, audio, video, and digital formats.

Preferred: Experience in preservation lab design. Basic knowledge of the history of the book, knowledge of current working tools of the Library, including software and bibliographic tools and standards. Knowledge of digital imaging systems and standards for various types of materials and experience in digital preservation of text, audio, and video files a definite plus.

This internship is intended to give current graduate students and recent graduates of preservation and conservation programs the opportunity to apply their skills and knowledge of care and treatment of library and archives materials in an academic library. Interns will work in the ISU Library Preservation Department with guidance from the Head of Preservation and the Library Conservator.

The 2012 Lennox Foundation Internship provides a $3,200 stipend and university housing for 12 weeks.  Applications must be received by Thursday, January 19, 2012.  

Read more here

We’re conservators. The explanation at a bar usually goes something like this: We fix old stuff. Well sometimes it’s not old. And sometimes we don’t fix it. No trust me, it’s fascinating. Actually once I really explain what I do, most people see the appeal. We work on old things, pretty things, ugly things, rare things, historically important things; we use technology and tools borrowed from other professions to solve problems you might not have thought about. [click through to read more]

This conversation is so true…most people I talk to confuse our profession with natural-environment conservationists (their word, not mine). I say that yes, it is true we care for trees but only after they have been chopped down, ground to a pulp, made into paper and printed or written on them. But that sentence usually stops the conversation cold. We’ll be reading, West Dean!