Collections Conservator
Princeton University Library
The Princeton University Library is seeking a Collections
Conservator to join the Preservation Office. We welcome
applications from colleagues at all stages in their careers.
Potential applicants who would like to learn more about the
position, the Preservation Office, the Library and Princeton are
encouraged to contact Maria Grandinette
Recommendations for candidates are also welcome.
The Princeton University Library is one of the world's leading
research libraries, serving a diverse community of 5,200
undergraduates, 2,600 graduate students, 853 faculty members, and
many visiting scholars. Its holdings include more than 7 million
printed volumes, 5 million manuscripts, 2 million non-print items,
and extensive collections of digital text, data, and images. The
Library employs a dedicated and knowledgeable staff of more than 300
professional and support staff working in a large central library, 9
specialized branches, and 3 storage facilities.
Major Responsibilities: The Collections Conservator is responsible
for a broad range of activities that, taken together, help insure
preservation and access to Princeton University Library's
collection. The three key areas of responsibility for this position
include: management of general collections conservation, management
of general and special collections housing, and oversight and
maintenance of the department's on-going preventive preservation
programs.
Working in a production environment, the Collections Conservator
manages the repair, housing, and reformatting of general collections
materials with sensitivity to their historical and intrinsic value,
as well as a pragmatism that responds to the needs required by
everyday use. Employing a treatment to specification approach, the
Collections Conservator sets repair, housing, and reformatting
criteria that include materials selection, sorting, workflow,
recordkeeping, inventory control, contracting, and quality
assurance. The Collections Conservator serves as one of the primary
preservation liaisons to collection managers and staff throughout
the Library. She or he offers assistance and advice on the handling
and preservation of damaged and deteriorated paper-based general
collections materials including recommending treatment options,
priorities, and courses of action. She or he works closely with the
Head, Preservation and our colleagues in collection development and
technical services to ensure thoughtful decision making and
workflows for the repair, commercial library binding, care and
reformatting of brittle materials, and contract preservation
photocopying and boxing of materials. The Collections Conservator
supervises and trains the conservation technicians and performs
complex treatments for books held in the general collection.
The Collections Conservator works in close association with
Preservation Office staff including the Head, Preservation and the
Paper and Rare Books Conservators. As part of this team, and in
close collaboration with curators throughout the Library, she or he
contributes to the formulation of preservation priorities and
strategies for housing Princeton University Library's special and
general collections materials and has oversight for their
implementation.
The Collections Conservator plays a key role in ensuring that the
department's preventive preservation programs remain robust and
responsive to staff and patron preservation needs as well as the
wide variety of environmental conditions throughout Firestone, the
branch libraries, Technical Services, and ReCAP-the library's
high-density preservation storage facility. The Collections
Conservator is responsible for the on-going maintenance of the
environmental monitoring and integrated pest management programs and
the emergency response plan. In addition, she or he collaborates
with the Rare Books and Paper Conservators and the Head,
Preservation to provide advice and direction in the care and
handling of library materials for both patrons and staff. This
position reports directly to the Head of Library Preservation.
Essential Qualifications: Bachelor's degree. At least five years
bench experience at the professional level in an academic or
research library general collections and/or conservation program.
Two or more years managing a general collections conservation or
similar program. Current knowledge of and experience in the ethics,
practices, and techniques employed in the conservation of general
collections of library research materials, including broad knowledge
and experience in bookbinding and book conservation. Must
demonstrate excellent treatment and decision-making skills and
successful outcomes in general collections conservation; have
excellent interpersonal skills and work effectively with staff at
all levels within a highly complex organization; be able to work as
part of a team with preservation and conservation peers and
colleagues; and be able to work independently and plan and structure
one's supervisory, treatment and management responsibilities
accordingly. Demonstrated and proven experience coordinating
conservation treatment and preservation activities among a number of
constituencies.
Preferred Qualifications: Advanced degree in book conservation
through an accredited graduate or equivalent certificate program,
formal apprenticeship, or equivalent experience. Six or more years'
experience working in an academic library. Three or more years
supervising conservation support staff and managing a general
collections or similar preservation program. Demonstrated experience
with environmental monitoring, pest management, and/or disaster
planning and response in a library or other cultural heritage
environment. An applicant who is chosen for an interview must
present a portfolio of their work in general collections
conservation, including samples of binding work.
Compensation and Benefits: Princeton offers competitive salaries
and a comprehensive benefits program that is responsive to the needs
of its diverse staff. The comprehensive benefits program includes
health and life insurance coverage, pension benefits, flexible
spending accounts, income protection in the event of short- and
long-term disabilities, benefits for employee education, children's
tuition grants, as well as 24 vacation days a year, 9 holidays and 2
personal days.
Nominations and Applications: Review of applications will begin
immediately and will continue until the position is filled.
Applications will be accepted only from the Jobs at Princeton
website:
and must include a resume, cover letter, and a list of three
references with full contact information. The position requisition
number is: 1300611
Princeton University is an equal opportunity/affirmative action
employer.
Maria Grandinette
Head, Library Preservation
Princeton University Library
1 Washington Road
Princeton, New Jersey 08544
609-258-5946
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