Position at Harvard

Head of Conservation Services
Harvard College Library Cambridge, MA

Reporting to the Malloy-Rabinowitz Preservation Librarian in
Preservation and Imaging, the Head of Conservation Services in the
Harvard College Library administers a comprehensive program for the
care and conservation treatment of general research collections
throughout HCL. This function involves oversight of a large
conservation laboratory in Widener Library, Harvard Yard, where
general collections throughout the College are treated; and
commercial library binding and shelf preparation programs located in
both Widener Library and at 625 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge.
Conservation Services and Imaging Services make up the Preservation
department of the Harvard College Library and work in close
collaboration with the Weissman Preservation Center in the Harvard
University Library.

Responsibilities

    *   Develops conservation policies and procedures for general
        collections throughout HCL; communicates them to the Harvard
        community through outreach programs that include training
        sessions and web-based documentation.

    *   Manages Conservation Services programs for Widener Library
        collections and provides conservation services to all HCL
        libraries in consultation with librarians and staff
        throughout HCL.

    *   Supervises all management staff in Conservation Services
        (Collections Conservator for HCL, Preservation Review
        Librarian, and Senior Binding Librarian) responsible for a
        staff of 25 in Widener Library and at 625 Massachusetts
        Avenue.

    *   Works to ensure the maintenance of a harmonious, highly
        functional, productive unit.

    *   Develops the Conservation Services budget with the
        Malloy-Rabinowitz Preservation Librarian; manages
        expenditures and solves problems.

    *   Represents Conservation Services at meetings of Widener
        Managers and in other management groups as appropriate.

    *   Serves as a member of the Library Collections Emergency Team
       (LCET). * Collaborates with the Head, Imaging Services, on
       joint initiatives undertaken by Preservation and Imaging.

    *   Collaborates with the Weissman Preservation Center to plan
        and implement a broad range of preservation initiatives,
        including training and outreach; disaster planning,
        preparedness and response; creation of printed and web
        resources; and development of policies, guidelines, and
        procedures for the Harvard University Library.

Education, Experience, Skills

    *   MLS; advanced training in conservation acquired through
        formal graduate studies or a combination of apprenticeship,
        advanced courses and internships.

    *   Hands-on experience working with an integrated library
        system and with bindery preparation and shelf preparation
        functions and software.

    *   Minimum of 4 years of personnel and program management
        experience in a large research library.

    *   Experience developing and managing program budgets. *  Broad
        general knowledge of library preservation, including library
        binding, reformatting, environmental control, disaster
        preparedness and response, and bibliographic control as it
        relates to preservation.

    *   Demonstrated excellence performing conservation treatments
        in a production setting.

    *   Knowledge of the history of book and paper making,
        bookbinding techniques, and the history and manufacture of
        other library materials; and the nature and causes of book
        and paper deterioration.

    *   Working knowledge of chemistry as it applies to library
        materials.

    *   Knowledge of and adherence to professional ethical practice
        in conservation.

    *   Excellent oral and written communication skills, including
        demonstrated ability to prepare reports and procedural
        documentation.

    *   Knowledge of standard word processing, spreadsheet, and
        database software.

    *   Strong interpersonal and organizational skills, including
        the ability to establish priorities and achieve goals; to
        plan, organize, and direct workflow in a production setting;
        to train, supervise, motivate, and evaluate staff, and to
        encourage team work and staff development.

    *   Ability to plan and organize space, including a large
        conservation laboratory.

    *   Ability to initiate and adapt to change, to analyze and
        solve problems, and to be flexible and work collaboratively.

Harvard College Library (HCL) Conservation Services consists of two
groups: Collections Conservation and Binding and Shelf Preparation.
Each provides a full range of services to HCL libraries, as well as
training and consulting services to other libraries at Harvard.

Collections Conservation manages a production-oriented program for
research collections, most of which post-date the 18th century. The
program is committed to the use of permanent and durable materials,
structurally sound treatment techniques, and an efficient approach
to production.

Work is done in the HCL Collections Conservation Lab, a
state-of-the-art facility occupying 3,400 square feet in Widener
Library. It includes areas devoted to preservation review,
collections care, conservation treatment, reformatting preparation,
and construction of protective enclosures. It houses and makes
available a reference library of bookbinding manuals and videotapes,
supply catalogs, and materials on library preservation.

Binding and Shelf Preparation purchases a wide range of commercial
library binding services and prepares newly cataloged, newly bound,
repaired, and rebound materials for library use. It is committed to
ensuring that items entering the collections are protected by sound
bindings or archival quality enclosures; and that they are clearly,
accurately, and thoughtfully marked.  The Group maintains a second
facility at HCL Technical Services location, 625 Massachusetts
Avenue. There its staff prepares materials cataloged by HCL
Technical Services for the Widener stacks and the Harvard
Depository, including commercial binding.

Interested parties may apply online at
<URL:http://jobs.harvard.edu/jobs/search_req> to Requisition #27888.

Harvard University offers a wide range of benefits that invite
comparison with the best employers in the Boston area and with
academic institutions anywhere.  For addition information, please
visit <URL:http://employment.harvard.edu/benefits/>

Harvard University is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity
Employer.

Sherrie L. Whang
Harvard College Library
Human Resource Services
Widener Library G-20
Cambridge, MA, 02138
617-495-3721


                                  ***
                  Conservation DistList Instance 20:14
                Distributed: Friday, September 15, 2006
                       Message Id: cdl-20-14-024
                                  ***