Positions at Minnesota Historical Society

Paper or Book Conservator
Minnesota Historical Society

The Minnesota Historical Society (MHS) is seeking candidates for the
position Conservator to manage the Society's state of the art paper
and book conservation lab. This is a full-time position in an
institution that is nationally recognized for its commitment to
excellence.  The conservator is responsible for overseeing a full
range of paper and book conservation activities in a large
historical society with a major research library and archives and
active programs of collecting, collections maintenance, exhibits and
education.  This lab is primarily an archival conservation facility
although, the opportunity exists for treatment of works of art on
paper and photographs.   Collection maintenance activities for bound
materials are carried out in the lab, while treatment of rare books
is currently accomplished by contracting with outside conservators.
The conservator's duties include examination, assessment, planning,
and treatments of  flat paper; planning and direction of collections
maintenance activities for bound materials;  supervision of  2.5 FTE
staff as well as interns, volunteers, and paid project staff as
projects require and funding allows; assistance in the formulation
of priorities, standards, and policies as they relate to the book
and paper collection; cooperation with other conservators,
librarians, archivists, curators, collection managers, and exhibits
design and production personnel to select appropriate treatments,
housings, and exhibit mounts; and, in collaboration with other staff
conservators, provision of technical expertise, advice, and
education to the MHS staff, other institutions, and the public.

The MHS paper and book lab is one of three well-equipped,
laboratories which opened in 1992 as part of the new Minnesota
History Center located in St. Paul. This lab consists of  2400
square feet of work space, with additional offices, secure holding
room, photo documentation room, and materials storage spaces.  The
documentation room (which also houses a polarizing microscope) and
two of three materials storage rooms are spaces shared with the
textile and objects conservation labs.  The book and paper lab is
equipped with fume hoods, flexible fume extractor arms,  large wash
sinks (one with laminar-flow fume extraction), dedicated deionizing
water system, drying racks, board shear, wall mounted board cutter,
board creaser, a vacuum table, ultrasonic welder, stereomicroscope,
binding benches, and tables for flat paper work.

The qualifications for this position are normally acquired through
graduation from an accredited conservation program and significant
work experience or an equivalent in education and experience.
Candidates should have thorough knowledge of conservation theory and
practices;  as well as knowledge of 19th- and 20th-century book and
paper history, materials, and construction; well-developed skills in
the examination, evaluation, treatment, and documentation of library
and archival collections; experience in project planning,
management, and supervision; and excellent interpersonal skills.
Minimum starting salary is $ 37,250 with an excellent benefit
program.  The interview process will begin after August 1, 1999 with
applications being accepted until the position is filled.  For
additional information, please contact Sherelyn Ogden, Head of
Conservation, at 651-205-4661 or via email at
sherelyn.ogden [at] mnhs__org; OR, Bob Herskovitz, Chief Conservator,
651-297-3896 or via email: bob.herskovitz [at] mnhs__org. The Minnesota
Historical Society is an EEO/AA employer.

Textile Conservator
Minnesota Historical Society

The Minnesota Historical Society (MHS) is seeking candidates for the
position of Textile Conservator to manage the Society's state of the
art textile conservation lab.  This is a full time position in an
institution that is nationally recognized for its commitment to
excellence. The textile conservator is responsible for overseeing a
full range of textile conservation activities in a large historical
society with a major research library and active programs of
collecting, collections maintenance, exhibits and education.   The
textile conservator's duties include examination, assessment,
planning, and executing textile conservation treatments and surveys;
working with other staff conservators, curators, collections
managers, and exhibits design and production personnel in selecting
appropriate treatments, housings, and exhibit mounts; planning and
direction of textile re-housing projects;  maintaining the museum
program of monitoring light exposure of collections on exhibit;
supervision of interns, volunteers, and paid project staff as
projects require and funding allows; assisting in the formulation of
priorities, procedures standards, and policies as they relate to an
extensive textile collection; and in collaboration with other staff
conservators, providing technical expertise and professional advice
and education to the staff, other institutions, and the public.

The MHS textile lab is one of three well-equipped laboratories which
opened in 1992 as part of the new Minnesota History Center located
in St. Paul.  The textile lab is 1635 square feet of work space,
with additional spaces for an office, secure holding room, and
materials storage.  A documentation room, which houses a polarizing
microscope, is a space shared with the book and paper and objects
labs.  The textile lab is equipped with a fume hood; flexible fume
extractor areas; a 10'x18' sunken floor wash sink, in addition to a
4'x8' wash sink; dedicated deionizing water system; a small suction
table and fritted disk; stereomicroscope; photodocumentation area
with a 8'x8' mechanized slant board; washer and dryer, and movable
work tables in addition to counter space and storage cabinets.

The qualifications for this position are normally acquired through
graduation from an accredited conservation program and work
experience or an equivalent in education and experience in textile
conservation.   Qualified candidate should have extensive knowledge
of conservation theory, chemistry, and practice for textile and
clothing collections; knowledge of the materials used in
conservation treatments and in the exhibit and storage of textiles.
Minimum starting salary is $37,250 with  an excellent benefit
program.  The interview process will begin after August 1, 1999 with
applications being accepted until the position is filled.  For
additional information, please contact Sherelyn Ogden, Head of
Conservation at 651-205-4661 or via email at
sherelyn.ogden [at] mnhs__org; OR, Bob Herskovitz, Chief Conservator,
651-297-3896 or via email: bob.herskovitz [at] mnhs__org. The Minnesota
Historical Society is an EEO/AA employer.

Jean

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                  Conservation DistList Instance 12:94
                   Distributed: Friday, June 4, 1999
                       Message Id: cdl-12-94-016
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