Position at Columbia

Head Conservator
Columbia University Libraries
Conservation Laboratory

The Head Conservator has primary responsibility for managing the
Columbia University Libraries conservation program, including:
administration of the Conservation Laboratory, which consists of a
special materials unit and a circulating-collection repair unit;
performing sophisticated conservation treatments on all types of
rare and valuable ancient, medieval, and modern bound and loose
library materials (primarily paper-based) in accordance with current
professional conservation ethics and treatment procedures;
coordination of the Libraries' disaster recovery program and its
environmental monitoring program; assisting with exhibits, fund
raising, and other related activities.  The Head Conservator reports
to the Director for Preservation and participates in system-wide
planning for preservation, liaison with other Libraries' divisions,
and committee work.

The Head Conservator serves five major collections.  1) The Rare
Book and Manuscript Library holdings range from Sumerian tablets and
classical papyri through Hebrew, Arabic, and medieval manuscripts,
incunables, and the full history of western printing. The
Collections include over 600,000 books and 26 million manuscripts,
photographs, posters, and art on paper.  2) The Avery Architectural
and Fine Arts Library special collections range from incunables to
modern artists' books, and over 400,000 drawings, >From Serlio's
manuscripts through Frank Lloyd Wright to contemporary masters.  3)
The Kress Special Collections of the Starr East Asian Library
contain genres from oracle bones to early woodblock printing to
modern first editions, art on paper, and manuscripts.  4) The Long
Health Sciences Library special collections of early and modern
books and manuscripts in the history of medicine also include
archives and personal papers of prominent figures in medical
history.  5) The Columbiana collection documents the history of the
University.

Requirements are:  graduate degree in conservation of books and/or
archival library materials, and/or equivalent training and
experience (e.g. formal apprenticeship); minimum 5 years post-
internship professional conservation experience with rare and
special materials, preferably in a research library or similar
institution; knowledge of current conservation theory and ethics,
chemistry, environmental monitoring, and history of the book.
Demonstrated skills with a wide variety of analytical and treatment
techniques required.  Supervisory experience and effective written
and verbal communications skills essential.  Computer skills for
documenting treatments desirable;  MLS degree desirable.

We welcome applications from qualified women and members of minority
groups; international applications are welcome.

Salary minima are:  Librarian II:  $38,500;  Librarian III: 41,500.
Excellent benefits include assistance with University housing and
tuition exemption for self and family.

Send letter of application, resume, and names, addresses and phone
numbers of three references, to:  Jane Hunt, Employment
Representative, Box 35 Butler Library, Columbia University, 535 West
114th Street, New York,  NY  10027.  Applications received
by November 30, 1997 will receive priority consideration.

An Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer

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                  Conservation DistList Instance 11:28
                Distributed: Tuesday, September 23, 1997
                       Message Id: cdl-11-28-022
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