Position at University of Chicago

Head of Binding and Shelf Preparation
Preservation Department
The University of Chicago Library

The University of Chicago Library is home to one of the largest and
richest research collections in the world. Our resources are housed
in six library sites, all of which are located on the main campus.
Our print resources total more than seven million printed works,
increasing at the rate of 150,000 volumes per year. Over thirty
million manuscripts and archival pieces, 420,000 maps and aerial
photographs, and large sets of microform materials complement the
printed collections.  Our renowned Special Collections Research
Center contains distinctive rare books, manuscripts and archival
holdings. For more information on the Library's collections and
services, please see

    <URL:http://www.lib.uchicago.edu/e/>

The Preservation Department, which is part of the Special
Collections and Preservation Division, was established in 1985.  It
manages a Library-wide preservation program that includes
conservation of the library's book and paper-based collections,
digital reformatting of materials in all formats for preservation,
commercial binding and shelf preparation activities, staff and user
education, and consultation on a wide range of preservation
concerns.  Preservation Department staff members participate in
regional groups and contribute to national initiatives in the field.

Position Description:  We currently seek applicants for the Head of
Binding and Shelf Preparation, one of the three units within the
Preservation Department.  Binding and Shelf Preparation have been
recently brought together to form a new unit.  The Head of Binding
and Shelf Preparation will manage the Unit and engage in analysis
and planning to effectively integrate and maximize the benefits of
these combined operations.  This position offers an exciting
opportunity to contribute to an important expansion phase of the
Library's preservation and conservation programs and to play a role
in the planning and implementation of preservation measures for
materials that will be shelved in the Library's future on-site
shelving addition.  The successful candidate must be flexible, have
strong supervisory and management skills, and be able to work in a
dynamic and changing environment.

Under the direction of the Preservation Librarian, the Head of
Binding and Shelf Preparation is responsible for managing the
Library's commercial library binding program and shelf preparation
activities.  This includes training and overseeing one clerical
supervisor (who supervises the work of three clerical Shelf
Preparation Assistants), one Binding Assistant, and student staff in
binding and end-processing activities. The Head of Binding and Shelf
Preparation reviews current practices with the intention of
implementing change, formalizes guidelines and policies to provide
written documentation of unit procedures; ensures the quality and
accuracy of work; and manages production workflows to accomplish
unit goals and objectives.

The Head of Binding and Shelf Preparation oversees the binding
budget, serves as the primary contact with the commercial binder,
and monitors their services and agreements.  The Head of Binding and
Shelf Preparation serves as liaison to the binding preparation units
in three other library locations and provides guidance and training
to staff engaged in binding-related activities.  The Head of Binding
and Shelf Preparation works closely with the Head of Bookstacks,
coordinates workflows between Library units, and provides
information to general Library staff about binding and
end-processing activities.

The Head of Binding and Shelf Preparation will work closely with the
Preservation Librarian on planning and lead change for the unit.
He/she works closely with the Head of Conservation to apply physical
care and treatment guidelines and provide related outreach to
Library staff. With growing programs in Conservation and
Preservation Reformatting and a planned library addition, the Head
of Binding and Shelf Preparation will also participate in
Department-wide planning, and will work as a team member with
Preservation managers to accomplish Library-wide preservation goals.

Qualifications and Experience:  Bachelor's degree required.  Strong
supervisory and management skills with a minimum of four years
experience supervising staff.  Demonstrated ability to lead
significant and successful change.  Experience managing detail and a
production workflow, preferably in an academic library setting and
experience with library processes required.  Excellent analytic
skills, creative problem solving, flexibility and adaptability,
strong computer skills including knowledge of office software
applications, and strong oral and written communication skills
required.  Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively.  Knowledge
of book structures and preservation issues, and preservation
experience including commercial binding and/or shelf preparation
activities in a library setting strongly preferred.

Salary and Benefits:  Salary based on qualifications and experience.
Full range of benefits included in total compensation package.

Application:  For a complete position description and application
process, please visit

    <URL:http://hr.uchicago.edu/employment/>

Applicants must apply on-line for consideration.

The University of Chicago is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity
Employer.

Sherry Byrne
Preservation Librarian
University of Chicago Library
1100 E. 57th Street
Chicago, IL  60637
773-702-9313
Fax: 773-702-6623


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                  Conservation DistList Instance 21:51
                 Distributed: Saturday, March 29, 2008
                       Message Id: cdl-21-51-010
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