MIT Libraries seek an experienced and forward-thinking professional to manage MIT’s special collections conservation program and to contribute knowledge and expertise to the Libraries’ overall preservation strategy. Working in a state-of-the-art conservation lab, this is an exciting opportunity to work with the rich collections of a world renowned institution ensuring long-term access for current and future scholars.

Reporting to the Head, Curation and Preservation Services, the Conservator develops and manages MIT’s special collections conservation program, planning and executing conservation treatments for the physical maintenance of rare books, archives, and manuscripts. S/he conducts condition assessments and utilizes data to inform planning and evaluate outcomes of services and projects. S/he provides expertise and guidance to collections curators and other library and facilities staff regarding collections care, treatment, and storage. S/he also keeps current on standards and best practice, documents procedures and workflows, and develops outreach and training programs.

The Conservator collaborates with the Department Head and Preservation Librarian to provide a comprehensive preservation program that leverages emerging and evolving technology and tools. S/he manages projects to maintain or expand access to paper-based materials and media through various reformatting methods, primarily digitization and, s/he develops preservation plans and priorities in consultation with managers of collections, user services, and digital repositories. S/he shares management responsibility of lab operations with the Preservation Librarian which includes budget development and administration, oversight of compliance issues, vendor relationship management, and supervision of one support staff and occasional interns.

Additional responsibilities of the Conservator include exhibition support for the Maihaugen Gallery, environmental monitoring and disaster preparedness and response, participation in stewardship of donors and fundraising, developing projects and funding proposals, and serving as the Libraries’ representative to MIT Environmental Health and Safety.

QUALIFICATIONS:
• Graduate degree in conservation or comparable education and training
• Minimum of 3-5 years of professional conservation experience with demonstrated ability to perform complex treatments for rare books and paper-based materials
• Working knowledge of chemistry and materials science as applied in the field of conservation; demonstrated knowledge of current conservation theory and practice
• Ability to identify, adapt, and utilize relevant technologies and emerging techniques
• Ability to plan, organize, and set priorities
• Strong training skills; excellent oral and written communication skills
• Experience supervising staff and managing a laboratory that meets OSHA requirements for health and safety

Preferred 
• Masters in Library Science or substantial experience working collaboratively in a research library setting
• Familiarity with relevant technology and tools
• Experience with exhibition production and support

SALARY AND BENEFITS: $58,500 minimum salary. Actual salary based on qualification and experience. MIT offers excellent benefits including a choice of health and retirement plans, a dental plan, tuition assistance and a relocation allowance. The MIT Libraries afford a flexible and collegial working environment and foster professional growth of staff with management training and travel funding for professional meetings.

APPLICATION PROCESS : Apply online at: http://hrweb.mit.edu/staffing/. Please include cover letter, resume, and contact information for three references. Review of applications will begin March 4, 2013 and will continue until position is filled.MIT is strongly and actively committed to diversity within its community and particularly encourages applications from qualified women and minority candidates.

The majority of the work of the General Preservation and Conservation Services unit is high production focusing on treating materials from the circulating collections held in the Wells Library and the thirteen branch libraries of the Bloomington campus.  The staff work on a wide range of materials, including items published from the seventeenth century to the present.  The individual will be expected to lend his/her skills, knowledge, and abilities in the preservation of library materials to items that are rare and valuable when requested or as such items are identified through condition surveys from the various libraries of Indiana University Bloomington.

Job Summary: Manages the day-to-day activities of the preservation services related to the bound volumes received by the E. Lingle Craig Preservation Lab.  Hires, trains, supervises, evaluates, and provides leadership to two full-time conservation technicians, one full-time Kasemake enclosures operator, and hourly employees.  Analyzes workflow and establishes procedures to maximize efficiency and cost effectiveness of the lab; develops and expands the preservation and conservation program as necessary; and performs a broad range of preservation and conservation treatments, including constructing enclosures, developing and introducing new treatments to address specific needs, and teaching staff how to perform various treatments. Responsible for the department’s disaster response, determining the best treatment for materials exposed to environmental or biological hazards, and treating materials that may be housing insects.

Qualifications: Master’s degree in Library Science, Archives, Preservation/Conservation, or related field; two years professional experience in evaluating materials for preservation/conservation treatments and performing a wide variety of such treatments, including bindings, construction of enclosures, book repair and treatment of items that have water, mold, or other disaster-related damage; and two years of supervisory experience required.

Knowledge of current preservation principles, practices, and procedures is essential.  Excellent interpersonal, collaborative, and consultative skills; and ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.  Must have knowledge of computers and software applications, including Microsoft Word and Excel, and the ability to generate statistical and general reports as necessary.

Ability to lift and carry 30-40 pounds; capable of effectively use a fork-lift and dolly; skilled at using a variety of hand-tools; and able to use these tools on a regular basis. A current, valid driver’s license is required.

To Apply:  To apply for this position please go to Indiana University’s Human Resources website (https://jobs.iu.edu – Job # 7755) to submit an online application.  A cover letter and resume with the contact information for three professional references is required.

Applications will be accepted until February 7, 2013 or until the position is filled.

PROJECT MANAGER

PRESERVATION AND CONSERVATION PROGRAM

Visiting Academic Professional (2 year grant position)

University of Illinois Library at Urbana-Champaign

Deadline:  In order to ensure full consideration, applications and nominations must be received by February 19, 2013

Position Available:  This position is available as soon as possible.  This is a 100% time, two year visiting Academic Professional position in the University Library.

Duties and Responsibilities

Reporting to the Head of Preservation and Conservation, the Project Manager will develop and oversee the testing of an IMLS grant funded self-assessment program (the Preservation Self-Assessment Program – PSAP) focusing on book, paper, and photographic materials and incorporating previous assessment materials already developed for audiovisual content (the AvSAP http://www.library.illinois.edu/prescons/projects_grants/grants/avsap/index.html). The two-year project will involve extensive research into current preservation issues including identification, storage, housing and potential treatment options, as well as the development of a computer-based self-assessment program, and the testing of that program to aid in the development of preservation priorities of those materials.  The Project Coordinator will directly oversee two part-time staff positions who will assist with research, testing, and coding.

The Project Manager is responsible for:

• Researching and developing the assessment structure for leading non-specialists through the preservation evaluation of book, paper, and photographic materials
• Developing functional specifications and interface designs for the application in consultation with the programming staff
• Developing and maintaining the project Web site
• Initiating, guiding, and summarizing discussions among the project partners to achieve consensus on goals and objectives
• Organizing partners’ meetings
• Writing regular project reports for the funding agency
• Writing news and magazine articles as required for the project, and working with the appropriate campus and University Library units to publicize the project and its goals
• Conducting, with the PI and co-PI’s, outcome-based evaluative research and producing reports and publications that inform the funding agency and the various professional communities represented by the project
• Collaborating with Library and other University of Illinois faculty, development staff, and others to identify ways in which the project can benefit or partner with current campus programs and outreach activities

Qualifications

Required:  Bachelor’s degree; Demonstrated knowledge of archival, book, paper, and photographic preservation and/or conservation principles and practices as evidenced by coursework or work experience; Prior professional or pre-professional experience in a library or archives environment; See https://jobs.illinois.edu for preferred.

Salary.   Salary will be commensurate with candidate’s experience and qualifications, but the upper limit is fixed by the terms of our grant.

To Apply: To ensure full consideration, please complete your candidate profile at https://jobs.illinois.edu and upload a letter of interest, resume, and contact information including email addresses for three professional references.  Applications not submitted through this website will not be considered. For questions, please call: 217-333-8169.

Eligibility and requirements:

• Applicants must currently be graduate students, in good standing, in a program of library and archives preservation administration or conservation; or a recent graduate of such a program;
• Applicants must have completed at least four preservation or conservation courses before the anticipated start date of this internship;
• Applicants must commit to 12 consecutive weeks of full-time employment as interns;
• Internship must be completed within the calendar year;
• At the end of the internship, the intern will be required to submit a final report or project;
• Applicants must have student or working visas if not U.S. citizens.

The 2013 Lennox Foundation Internship provides a $3,200 stipend, travel expenses to and from Ames, and housing expenses.

For more information see:

http://parkslibrarypreservation.wordpress.com/lennox-foundation-internship/

To apply for the Lennox Foundation Preservation and Conservation Internship please submit the following items: cover letter; current resume; contact information for two professional references (include address, phone number and e-mail address); statement of interest (include projects of interest); graduate program description including requirements and course descriptions (indicate the classes you have completed).

Deadline for application is January 17, 2013

Submit these items to:

Melissa Tedone

Lennox Foundation Internship

Iowa State University

441 Parks Library

Ames, IA  50011-2140

Send electronic applications to:  tedone@iastate.edu

All topics related to Preservation Administration are welcome, and presenters will be allotted 20-30 minutes.

If you are interested in presenting, please contact Annie Peterson or Roger Smith (epeters5@tulane.eduor ros001@ucsd.edu) by December 1, 2012, with a topic and brief description of your presentation.  

For more information, see the press release.

Reporting to the Head of Preservation Services, the Senior Conservator will plan, document and perform complex item-level conservation treatments on both bound and unbound special collection materials, including rare books, manuscripts, prints, maps and drawings on paper or parchment.  In consultation with collection managers and preservation staff, establish priorities for treatment and coordinate the workflow of treatments through the conservation unit. The Senior Conservator will work on unique and diverse collections from special collections and international studies and will provide professional advice and education to staff, interns, and other libraries and cultural heritage institutions in the region, as needed.

For additional information, or to apply, see: http://goo.gl/awWCF
Application deadline for priority consideration is Sunday, 4 November, 2012.

By now you have heard the announcement that the Georgia State Archives will be closing as of November 1, 2012, due to state budget cuts. Here’s a clip from the official press release (emphasis mine):

The Governor’s Office of Planning and Budget has instructed the Office of the Secretary of State to further reduce its budget for AFY13 and FY14 by 3% ($732,626).  As it has been for the past two years, these cuts do not eliminate excess in the agency, but require the agency to further reduce services to the citizens of Georgia.  As an agency that returns over three times what is appropriated back to the general fund, budget cuts present very challenging decisions.  We have tried to protect the services that the agency provides in support of putting people to work, starting small businesses, and providing public safety. …

To meet the required cuts, it is with great remorse that I have to announce, effective November 1, 2012, the Georgia State Archives located in Morrow, GA will be closed to the public.  The decision to reduce public access to the historical records of this state was not arrived at without great consternation.  To my knowledge, Georgia will be the only state in the country that will not have a central location in which the public can visit to research and review the historical records of their government and state.  The staff that currently works to catalog, restore, and provide reference to the state of Georgia’s permanent historical records will be reduced.  The employees that will be let go through this process are assets to the state of Georgia and will be missed.  After November 1st, the public will only be allowed to access the building by appointment; however, the number of appointments could be limited based on the schedule of the remaining employees.

SAA’s Archives Month PR kit.

Within hours a petition on Change.org was started (and is still accepting signatories), a Face Book page was set up, and many individuals and organizations lent their voices to protest these cuts. Will it be enough? That remains to be seen.

A lot of thoughts run through my head at moments like these. First is concern for our colleagues who work at the Georgia State Archives. What will become of their jobs and that beautiful conservation lab? I wonder what will happen to the records and how long they may have to sit in their expertly designed (and nationally recognized) building unattended and unused?  Is it even legal to separate the electorate from their records?

When I see headlines like “History By Appointment Only” I have to do a gut check. Times are indeed tough all over and difficult decisions must be made, I get that. But it does start me thinking about how we defend what we do, and how we convince people (especially those holding the purse strings) that what we do is vital not only to the history of our organizations and our families, but to that of the very fabric of this nation.

I keep going back to this idea that we need multiple ways to express the importance of preserving the cultural record, from a 30 second elevator speech to a 20 minute “this stuff matters” presentation. It is easy for us “in the business” to understand why preserving records matter, but how do we gauge that understanding in the broader public, especially in those people who are living on the edges (either at the bottom or the top) of society?

The timing of this is ironic considering that October is American Archives Month. While we lament and gnash our teeth over this decision, let us also remember that we should never sit on our heels and think it couldn’t happen to us. As a nation we pay for what we value. Let’s hope that the great state of Georgia will hear the arguments for keeping the Archives open and reverse this decision.

In case you are behind in your news feed the short story is this: An elderly Spanish woman, concerned about the condition of a fresco in her church, took it upon herself to touch it up with perhaps predictable results. The news broke on BBC on Tuesday, and of course there is already a Tumblr called “Beast-Jesus Restoration Society.” Dr. Joyce Hill Stoner’s (University of Delaware) was interviewed by PRI’s The World and provided some perspective on what might happen next.

Left: A deteriorated version of the original (left) of “ecce homo” fresco of Jesus by Elías Garcia Martínez, a 19th-century painter. Right: The “restored” version of the fresco. (Photo: BBC)

First I have to say that I do believe that the woman had the best of intentions when she wanted to save her church’s beloved painting. As we laugh, make fun, and point fingers, let’s remember that she did this with a good heart, she is 80 years old, and we need to be empathetic.

Indeed, I think most of the time, people who attempt to repair their possessions are doing so because they value them and want to keep them whole. They probably also do it themselves because they either don’t know who to call or don’t have the funds to pay for a professional.

This story serves as a reminder of what happens when professionals are not called. But more importantly it reminds us that we have work to do to help people understand the complex nature of treatment decisions and what skills are needed to carry them out. Providing the public with information such as AIC’s FAQ page or How To Care For Your Treasures is a start. ALA Preservation Week (April 21-27, 2013) is also a good opportunity to provide information on how to find and work with a conservator.

I am disheartened at the truly awful comments and vicious name calling that is now on the web about this woman. I am sad at what happened to this fresco and wish she hadn’t done it, but I understand her intent…she just wanted to see this fresco treated and took it upon herself to do the work. Let’s be forgiving and take this moment to re-energize our mission to educate the public about what we do  and how they can best care for their own treasures, including knowing when to call a professional in for consultation.

Internship in conservation The Chester Beatty Library

Dublin, Ireland

The Heritage Council of Ireland and The Chester Beatty Library are pleased to offer a twelve month internship in paper conservation. The internship will be based at The Chester Beatty Library and begin   October/November 2012. Deadline for applications is: Friday 27 July 2012.  Interviews will hopefully take place on Monday 20 August 2012.

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Preservation Specialist, Northeast Document Conservation Center

The Northeast Document Conservation Center (NEDCC) seeks a creative, energetic, technology-savvy and client-oriented Preservation Specialist to support NEDCC’s consulting, education, and outreach activities.

Click here for a full job description and application directions.

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Rare Book Conservator, Preservation and Conservation Program University of Illinois Library at Urbana-Champaign

Reporting to the Head of Conservation, the Rare Book Conservator is responsible for the conservation treatment of rare and unique bound library materials, generally those requiring individual treatment, as well as keeping written records and photo-documentation of such work. The Conservator will perform complex conservation treatment on rare book and special collections materials.

Qualifications

Required:  Bachelor’s degree; Extensive knowledge of book and paper conservation principles and practices; Extensive knowledge of the physical and chemical nature of books and paper, as evidenced by (i) a graduate degree in conservation, or (ii) the completion of a conservation apprenticeship with an established conservator, or (iii) other verifiable certification of advanced training and education; Demonstrated ability to perform complex conservation treatments on rare books, as evidenced by a conservation portfolio; Extensive knowledge of the history of bookbinding; Excellent written and oral communication skills

Preferred:   Two or more years of professional conservation experience; Experience working collaboratively in a research library and/or archives; Undergraduate degree or significant coursework in a related field such as history, art history, library science, museum studies, chemistry, materials science, and/or studio art; Demonstrated experience in dealing with the intellectual issues involved in the use of research library collections; Supervisory experience; Experiences with databases and integrated library systems; Working knowledge and practice of digital photodocumentation; Demonstrable experience working in exhibition preparation of book materials

To Apply: To ensure full consideration, please complete your candidate profile at  https://jobs.illinois.edu and upload a letter of interest, resume, contact information including email addresses for three professional references, and uploaded documentation (including image, PDF, or word-processing files) of three most significant treatments, or provide an external link to these in the cover letter.  Applications not submitted through this website will not be considered.

Deadline:  In order to ensure full consideration, applications and nominations must be received by July 2, 2012.