Position at Stanford

The Mary R. and Elizabeth K. Raymond Conservator and Head of
Conservation Services Stanford University Libraries

Stanford University Libraries Preservation Department is conducting
a search to fill the position of Head of Conservation Services. This
is an exciting opportunity for an experienced professional to
contribute to the development of the Preservation Department at SUL.
We are looking for someone with energy, expertise and innovation for
this dynamic role.

Please feel free to contact me directly if you are interested, or if
you would like to suggest someone to recruit.

Under the direction of the Head of the Preservation Department, the
Head of Conservation Services plans, directs, and executes the daily
activities of the unit, supporting the needs for both special and
general collections across Stanford University Libraries (SUL). The
Conservation Services Unit consists of the conservation laboratory
and book repair, with staff of 4 FTE, plus hourly workers and
students. The laboratory treats mainly special collection materials,
with the book repair unit performing repairs on the general
collections as well as providing re-housing services for all
material types. The Head of Conservation Services will be
responsible for redesigning protocols and workflows and for
implementing technical tools to mitigate the operational
complexities resulting from the September 1, 2013 move of the Unit
seven miles from campus. The Head of Conservation Services is
responsible for managing Conservation Services as it responds to
campus teaching and research priorities.

Responsibilities

Management

    Supervise the daily operations of the unit, which includes
    hiring, training, coaching, and supervising staff; establishing
    workflows; and ensuring quality control over all work performed.

    Manage priorities for conservation of materials in the context
    of requirements for research, instruction, digital initiatives,
    internal exhibitions, external loans, etc., by developing
    policies and procedures for the physical care of the
    collections.

    Liaise closely and collaboratively with curators, subject
    specialists, special collections staff, and the digital library
    staff to establish treatment goals, select and prioritize
    materials, and design and implement plans.

    Recommend and implement electronic tools for requesting,
    tracking, managing, and reporting on preservation and
    conservation activities.

    Manage the impact of the distance (7 miles) of the new
    laboratory from the client base on campus:

        Collaborate with staff and foster relationships to ensure
        continual treatment discussions, regardless of the
        off-campus location.

        Negotiate, refine, and sustain physical workflows and
        materials tracking between campus and the unit.

        Implement, monitor, and continuously refine electronic
        tracking system for materials and to make it available to
        stakeholders.

Collaboration

    Work closely with the Department of Special Collections, subject
    specialists, curators, and Digital Library Systems and Services
    (DLSS) to select and prioritize materials for treatment and
    establish workflows as necessary.

    Work closely with Metadata, DLSS, and other departments to
    explore, test, specify, and implement the use of technology for
    efficient management of the unit.

    Serve as part of the management team, together with the Head of
    Preservation and the Head of Binding and Finishing, to develop
    and implement policies and procedures overseeing the
    preservation of the paper based collections at SUL.

    Serve as a partner and deputy to reshape the department to
    anticipate and respond to the challenges facing 21st century
    teaching, learning, and research.

    Work effectively with Facilities staff on matters related to
    library buildings, their environments, the safe transport of
    materials, etc.

    Participate in all activities of the Preservation Department
    such as outreach and training for staff, collection disaster
    emergency preparedness and response, open houses, fundraising
    activities and donor relations, and other activities as the
    department evolves, grows, and responds.

    In collaboration with the Department Head, foster a thriving
    relationship with library communities to identify, host, and
    train the next generation of preservation and conservation
    professionals.

    Identify potential sources of grant funding for projects and
    write grant proposals; negotiate with vendors for services and
    partnership deals.

    Explore partnerships with Stanford scientific community to
    foster conservation research in response to collection materials
    needs.

Treatment

    Plan, research, and implement conservation treatments for
    special collections materials.

    Execute high-level, complex treatments on paper-based library
    and archival materials.

    Create written and photographic documentation for examination,
    treatments, and other activities.

    Perform assessments, condition reports, and stabilizing
    treatments on materials requested for exhibitions and loans.

Qualifications

Required:

    A master's degree or advanced certificate from a recognized
    conservation training program, or an equivalent combination of
    education and experience.

    Minimum 5 years of professional conservation experience or an
    equivalent combination of education and experience for
    appointment to Librarian 2; for appointment at Librarian 3
    level, at

    least 7 years of professional conservation experience or an
    equivalent of education and experience.

    Demonstrated supervisory experience; for appointment at
    Librarian 2 level, at least 2 years supervising staff; for
    appointment at level 3, at least 3 years supervising staff.

    Extensive knowledge of conservation principles, practices and
    procedures relating to library materials.

    Interest in and ability to identify, adapt, and utilize relevant
    technologies and emerging techniques.

    Comprehensive knowledge of the physical and chemical nature of
    books and paper, and the deterioration of library materials.

    Experience with planning, organizing, and setting priorities.

    In-depth knowledge and understanding of the history of the book
    and book structures.

    Interest in current and emerging activities in materials science
    and scientific research in conservation.

    Strong training skills; excellent oral and written communication
    skills.

    Active participation as a professional in conservation and/or
    preservation fields.

Desired:

    An MLIS or MLS from an ALA-accredited program (strongly
    preferred).

    Advanced degree in a humanities subject area.

    Experience with identifying, adapting, and using electronic
    tracking systems to manage conservation activities.

    Familiarity with preservation of electronic materials, both born
    digital as well as digital surrogates.

    Familiarity with preservation of non-print materials, including
    film, audio and video.

Stanford University Libraries (SUL) collects a wide range of
materials in support of world-class teaching, learning, and
research. SUL's collections include over 9 million volumes and 2,600
archival collections.

SUL's Preservation Department was established in 1978 and serves as
an integral part of the library. The department has an annual budget
of over $1 million which supports programs and activities covering
commercial library binding, preventive activities, conservation
treatments, education and outreach, reformatting, re-housing, mass
deacidification, and a wide variety of consultation offered across
all departments to ensure the preservation and long-term access to
both general and special collections held by SUL. The department
consists of 14 regular staff, as well as various hourly workers,
interns, and students.

Please apply online at:

    <URL:http://stanfordcareers.stanford.edu>
    (Job # 10077808)

The position is a dual rank listing, and will be filled at the 3P2
or 3P3 level depending upon experience and education

Kate Elena Contakos
Head, Preservation Department
Stanford University Libraries
650-391-3861


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                  Conservation DistList Instance 27:3
                 Distributed: Wednesday, June 26, 2013
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