Positions at Columbia

Book Repair Technician, General Collections
Conservation Assistant
Columbia University Libraries

The Columbia University Libraries Conservation Department seeks
qualified applicants for the following two technician positions.
Both are full-time, union positions with comprehensive benefits.

To apply, send resume and cover letter to

    M. Joseph Knox
    Human Resources
    Columbia University Libraries
    535 West 114th St.
    New York NY 10027

Email questions to Mr. Knox at jk690 [at] columbia__edu; or to Maria
Fredericks, Head of Conservation at mf360 [at] columbia__edu Please refer
to the Position ID number in your application. preference will be
given to applications received by December 31, 2000.

Book Repair Technician, General Collections
Position ID #1005343
(Bibliographic Assistant VI)
Salary Grade $549.50/week

Description of duties: Under the supervision of the Head
Conservator, performs both simple and complex conservation repairs
on bound materials from the University Libraries' general
collections.  Re-binds, re-cases or performs other appropriate
repairs, including re-backing, re-sewing and paper repairs. Utilizes
technical skills and judgment to select and carry out appropriate,
conservation quality repairs on pre-1850 and other artifactually
important bound volumes from general collections, with emphasis on
retaining original character and binding features. Fabricates
protective enclosures for books, compact discs, fold-out maps, etc.
Encapsulates fragile documents in polyester film.  Assists
conservators with re-housing projects or batch treatment of rare and
special collections materials as needed.  Participates in disaster
response and recovery of general and special collections materials.
Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications: High school diploma or equivalent required, BA/BS
preferred.  Minimum one year full-time experience in binding and
repair of multi-section case-bound books, preferably in a library or
archives conservation setting; or completion of internship,
apprenticeship or training program resulting in equivalent skills
and knowledge.  Must have knowledge of basic binding and repair
procedures and understanding of book structures; excellent manual
dexterity and attention to detail; ability and willingness to work
according to departmental specifications; ability to perform routine
repairs with speed and accuracy; ability to handle fragile and rare
materials with care.  Familiarity with basic conservation philosophy
and ethics; ability to work independently; good analytical skills;
good communication and interpersonal skills essential.  Basic
word-processing skills helpful.  Requires operation of specialized
equipment (e.g. ultrasonic welder, guillotine cutter, fume hood) and
use of various chemicals under controlled conditions. Applicants
should be able to work standing up for extended periods of time,
lift heavy objects, and work with dusty books and documents. Binding
skills test may be administered as part of the interview. Applicants
are encouraged to provide a portfolio or examples of previous
conservation or binding work.

Conservation Assistant
Position ID #1005428 (Bibliographic Assistant VI)
Salary Grade $549.50/week

Description of Duties:  Under the direction of the Head Conservator
and the Special Collections Conservator, the incumbent will perform
basic paper conservation procedures such as surface cleaning,
washing, re-sizing and mending on materials from the libraries' rare
and special collections.  Duties will also involve creating
protective housings for single items and for collections, as well as
cutting mats and making cradles for exhibits.  Will assist with
environmental monitoring, supply inventory, disaster response and
treatment documentation.  Will also perform conservation repairs on
selected general collections materials, including sewing pamphlets,
reattaching boards, encapsulating maps and documents, repairing torn
pages and making protective enclosures. Participates in disaster
response and recovery of general and special collections materials.
Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications: High school diploma, BA/BS preferred.  One year
experience in conservation of rare or valuable paper artifacts
including experience with protective housings and exhibit
preparation required. Must have well-developed basic paper treatment
skills and be aware of current conservation philosophy and ethics.
Must be willing to work on a wide range of materials, performing
details and occasionally repetitive tasks.  Requires operation of
specialized equipment (e.g. ultrasonic welder, fume hood, guillotine
cutter) and the use of various chemicals under controlled
conditions.  Work requires long periods of standing and the ability
to lift heavy objects and work with dusty library materials.
Applicants are encouraged to provide a portfolio of previous
conservation work.  Conservation skills test may be administered as
part of interview.

Maria Fredericks
Head, Conservation Lab
Columbia University Libraries
109 Butler
535 West 114th St.
New York, NY 10027
212-854-3580
Fax: 212-854-3290

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                  Conservation DistList Instance 14:29
                 Distributed: Monday, November 20, 2000
                       Message Id: cdl-14-29-040
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