Position at Princeton

Head, Library Preservation,
Princeton University Library

Requisition Number 0110816

Grade 630, Full Time, Benefits Eligible

Princeton University Library is searching for an innovative and
dynamic individual to head the Library's Preservation Office. The
Preservation Office serves the Princeton University Library system
as well as University faculty, students, staff and community.
Princeton University Library is one of America's most prestigious
research libraries and boasts many world-renowned collections across
many academic disciplines with more than 7 million printed volumes,
5 million manuscripts, and 2 million non-print items. The holdings
in its central library and 10 specialized libraries range from
ancient papyri and incunabula to the most advanced electronic
databases and digital collections. The Library employs a dedicated
and knowledgeable staff of more than 300 professional and support
personnel, complemented by a large student and hourly workforce.
More information can be found at

    <URL:http://library.princeton.edu>

The position of Head, Library Preservation, will lead and develop
the Library's preservation and conservation work, and will
contribute to new strategic planning for the transformation of
preservation efforts from a largely analog environment to an
increasingly digital one. This position will head a Conservation
unit which treats materials in Special Collections throughout the
Library system and also a Collections Conservation unit which
handles material from all general collections. The Head, in
consultation with all relevant stakeholders, will develop
Princeton's long term preservation strategies for print and other
analog library collections. The successful candidate will also work
with Library Digital Initiatives staff to develop policies,
procedures, and best practices for long term preservation of the
Library's growing collection of digital assets. Working
collaboratively with various units in the Library currently involved
in digitization, will help develop new approaches to preservation
driven digital work. This position also oversees the full range of
library preservation efforts, including, but not limited to,
disaster response planning and recovery initiatives, collaborating
on critical preventive programs such as commercial binding or
deacidification projects, manages environmental monitoring and pest
management programs, and manages environmental datalogger
installations in multiple locations. Also advises on library
facilities projects. The position works with conservation staff,
curators, and unit heads to design and present workshops and
training seminars. The Head of Preservation actively leads and
participates in disaster response efforts, and deploys the
Preservation staff who are designated "first responders" for
conservation emergencies. This position manages a large endowment
income which funds much of the Library's preservation efforts.

The Preservation Office and Lab is housed in Firestone Library,
which is undergoing a 10 year long renovation project. The
successful candidate will work with Preservation staff to define the
space needs, as well as new practices and workflows that will
comprehensively serve the preservation needs of the PUL system and
its collections. This position will also coordinate preservation
assessment efforts, whether systematic or ad hoc, and will make
recommendations for long term preservation and access for
collections in danger. Writes or assists with writing grant
proposals for funding preservation projects of all types. Position
will report to the Deputy University Librarian.

Essential Qualifications

    Required: MLS degree from an ALA-accredited library program or
    equivalent experience. Strong library preservation experience or
    equivalent training/experience. Minimum 3 years of relevant
    professional experience. A candidate must have strong
    demonstrated leadership and supervisory skills, as well as
    organizational and planning skills, demonstrated analytical
    thinking and problem-solving skills, and the ability to work in
    a complex, collaborative, and changing environment with diverse
    staff and users. He/she must have excellent communication
    skills, both written and oral. He/she must be knowledgeable of
    new technologies and strategies that affect the field of
    preservation. The candidate must have demonstrated experience
    managing an array of diversified projects as well as managing
    budgets, and must have a proven record in grant writing and
    fund-procurement, as well as familiarity with funding agencies
    for print, audio, video, and digital formats.

Preferred Qualifications

    Preferred: Experience in preservation lab design. Basic
    knowledge of the history of the book, knowledge of current
    working tools of the Library, including software and
    bibliographic tools and standards. Knowledge of digital imaging
    systems and standards for various types of materials and
    experience in digital preservation of text, audio, and video
    files a definite plus.

Find out more and apply by visiting:

    <URL:https://jobs.princeton.edu/applicants/jsp/shared/
        position/JobDetails_css.jsp?postingId=185133>

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