Position at Indiana University Libraries

Collections Conservator
(Two-year visiting appointment)
Indiana University Libraries, Bloomington

The University Libraries comprise the Main Library, serving
primarily the humanities and social sciences; the Lilly Library of
rare books and manuscripts; and 15 campus libraries, including seven
in the sciences.  A major facilities planning effort is underway to
renovate the Main Library and to construct a new offsite shelving
facility for the benefit of all library units.

Under the direction of the Head of the Preservation Department for
the Indiana University Libraries in Bloomington, the Collections
Conservator is responsible for managing the Preservation
Department's Collections Conservation Section. This is a high
production operation, which focuses on treating materials from the
circulating collections that are held in the Main Library and
fifteen campus libraries. Collections Conservation staff work on a
wide range of materials, including imprints from the eighteenth
through the twentieth centuries. The Preservation Department is in
the process of reorganizing and expanding its preservation and
conservation activities. A 4,700 square foot conservation laboratory
is being planned for a new state-of the-art auxiliary off-site
library facility. In addition to the Collections Conservation
Section, the Preservation Department includes a Brittle Books and
Reformatting Unit and the conservation program in the Lilly Library,
a distinguished collection of rare books and manuscripts. More
information on the Preservation Department is available at
<URL:http://www.indiana.edu/~libpres/>.

Responsibilities:  Manages the daily operations of the Collections
Conservation Section. Hires, trains, supervises, and provides
leadership to a staff of 2.0 FTE conservation technicians, and 1.0
FTE student assistants. Manages a fully equipped collections
conservation laboratory. Sets priorities, plans workflow, and
monitors productivity and quality. Performs a broad range of
conservation treatments and establishes new procedures when
appropriate.  Maintains equipment and monitors and orders supplies.
Provides training for staff and patrons on the care and handling of
library materials. In collaboration with the Department Head, works
closely with Library staff, including collection managers, and staff
from Customer and Access Services and Technical Services, to
establish priorities and procedures and resolve problems.  Monitors
environmental conditions throughout the library system. Responsible
for disaster planning and recovery, including updating the Library's
disaster plan.  Maintains current awareness of library and archival
conservation principles and practices. Prepares statistics, written
documentation, and reports.

Assists the Department Head in developing and expanding the
collections conservation program. Analyzes workflow and establishes
procedures that maximize efficiency. In collaboration with the
Department Head and the Lilly Library Conservator, participates in
the design and development of a new 4,700 square foot conservation
laboratory. This facility will centralize the Library's conservation
programs, including the conservation of general, rare book, and
manuscript collections. In addition, the new Preservation Department
will include a paper conservation laboratory and an expanded brittle
books and reformatting unit.

Qualifications: MLS from accredited school of library and
information science; Training and/or experience in the preservation
and conservation of library and archival materials, including
knowledge of the physical and chemical nature of books, paper, and
photographic media; the history of the book; and library and
archival conservation principles and practices. Excellent oral and
written communication skills.  Strong organizational and
interpersonal skills.  Demonstrated ability to work independently,
exercise sound judgment, build consensus, effect change, and serve
as a member of a team.  Preferred Qualifications: Experience in a
collections conservation program in a research library; Supervisory
experience; Experience with desktop publishing software; Budgetary
and resource allocation expertise.

Salary and Benefits:  Salary and rank are negotiable and competitive
dependent upon qualifications and experience.  Benefits include a
university health care plan, TIAA/CREF retirement/annuity plan,
group life insurance, and liberal vacation and sick leave.

Send letter of application, professional vita, and the names,
addresses, and telephone numbers of four references to:

    Yolanda Cooper-Birdine
    Libraries Human Resources Officer
    Indiana University Libraries
    Main Library C-201
    Bloomington, IN  47405
    812-855-8196
    Fax: 812-855-2576
    ycooperb [at] indiana__edu

Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue
until the position is filled. For further information concerning
Indiana University: <URL:http://www.indiana.edu/>. Indiana
University is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer.

Betty Bell
Libraries Human Resources
Main Library C-201
812-855-8196


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                  Conservation DistList Instance 14:6
                   Distributed: Friday, July 21, 2000
                        Message Id: cdl-14-6-026
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