Position at Metropolitan Museum of Art

Book Conservator on Contract
Metropolitan Museum of Art

Time Frame: September through May. 663 hours total (95 days or 19
weeks), can be part- or full-time.

Department: Drawings and Prints (working in Watson Library Book
Conservation Dept.)

Purpose of position: Performs conservation treatment of rare books
in the Department of Drawings and Prints. These projects have been
funded for many years by a grant from the New York State Program for
the Conservation and Preservation of Library Research Materials.

Responsibilities: Reports to Project Director (curator in D&P) and
consults Preservation Librarian (TJWL). Conservation treatment and
re-housing of rare book collections as specified in grant
application. Responsibilities include:

    1.  Accountability for keeping track of work hours and expenses
        as described by the granting agency and Museum
        administration

    2.  Working with Project Director to prepare condition
        reports/treatment proposals and other appropriate
        documentation, using collection surveys and grant
        application as a guideline.

    3.  Preparation of specifications and measurements for works to
        be boxed by an outside vendor; quality control and
        record-keeping for all vendor services.

    4.  Performing a full-range of book conservation treatment and
        repairs, including refurbishing of bindings, dry cleaning
        and paper repair, cloth and leather rebacking, and the
        stabilization of text to cover attachment, leaf attachments,
        and other elements of the binding structures.

    5.  Responsible for documenting the project for inclusion in the
        final report to the granting agency.

Qualifications: Must have completed a formal graduate-level program
in book conservation--or equivalent--with demonstrated experience in
the examination and treatment of books and paper. Knowledge of
printmaking processes and 16th-20th century European binding
structures. Must have clerical skills adequate for documentation of
the project.

Agenda

    Daily:
        Accounting for attendance or absence with D&P and TJWL
        administration
        Conservation treatment
        Cleaning and maintaining work area, tools and equipment
        Securing the work in progress (locking up or returning
        valuable books)

    Weekly
        Week-end organization of work in progress, work station and
        conservation lab

    As Needed
        Keep track of hours worked, to meet the criteria of the
        grant project (information can be gotten from the Finance
        Dept., Development Office and
        Project Director)
        Preparing treatment reports and reviewing these with project
        supervisor and director
        Review project goals
        Work with Project Supervisor to order supplies

To apply or for further information, contact:

    Mindell Dubansky
    Associate Museum Librarian - Preservation
    Thomas J. Watson Library
    The Metropolitan Museum of Art
    1000 Fifth Avenue
    New York, NY 10028
    212-650-2890
    Fax: 212-570-3847


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                  Conservation DistList Instance 16:12
                 Distributed: Tuesday, August 20, 2002
                       Message Id: cdl-16-12-038
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