Position at NYU Libraries

Preventive Conservator
Barbara Goldsmith Preservation and Conservation Department
New York University Libraries

Salary/Benefits: Salary commensurate with experience and background

The Barbara Goldsmith Preservation and Conservation Department at
New York University Libraries seeks a dynamic, skilled, and
knowledgeable conservator to administer and manage a preventive
conservation program for the NYU Libraries' archives and special
collections.

Under the general supervision of the Conservation Librarian, the
Preventive Conservator will: develop and administer preservation
policies and procedures for the proper care, handling, storage, and
reformatting of book and document collections held in the Library's
three special collections; work with curators to identify
preservation priorities and initiate preservation projects to
address preservation needs of collections; make decisions regarding
appropriate preservation treatments for the collections; establish
guidelines for collection care and use; coordinate with the Division
of Libraries Media Preservation Unit Head, Special Collections
Conservators, and the Digital Library Technology Services department
to promote alignment of project initiatives with other preservation
and conservation activities.

The Preventive Conservator will maintain an active, daily workflow
for preservation projects between the three special collections;
hire and supervise project staff (students and/or administrative
employees); oversee orders and purchases of supplies for
preservation projects; communicate with vendors for external
preservation services, such as mass de-acidification; write grant
proposals for preservation purposes; and manage the environmental
monitoring program in the Bobst Library, Institute of Fine Arts
(IFA) Library, Cooper Square Storage Facility, and Clancy off-site
storage facility, which includes reporting findings on a monthly
basis to the department head and curators and alerting building
managers to issues as well as tracking resolutions.  Additional
responsibilities are to design and execute preservation assessments
and surveys of archival collections; gather and analyze condition
data; liaise with off-site and near- off-site collection storage
location staff to ensure proper and safe storage conditions for
special collections are maintained; participate in the Library's
emergency preparedness and response program, including maintaining
emergency equipment/supplies and participating in the training of
staff in emergency response procedures.

Required Education: Graduate degree in conservation or related
subject area with certificate in conservation.

Required Experience: Demonstrated professional accomplishments and a
minimum of two years professional working experience in archives and
special collections.  Experience must include a minimum of two
years' supervising staff.  Must have experience in developing,
designing, and carrying out condition surveys and assessments,
experience in preservation and collections care techniques, as well
as demonstrated skills in basic conservation treatments, such as
simple document repair, humidification and flattening, mold
remediation, and constructing custom-made enclosures.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: Knowledge of current
conservation strategies and standards for the care, handling, and
storage of special collections is required.  A deep understanding of
conservation ethics and methodology and familiarity with archival
theory and management is required.  Knowledge of current
developments within the archives, special collections, preservation,
and conservation professions is expected.  Ability to work
independently and collegially with a wide range of staff and in team
environments.  Must possess excellent written and oral communication
skills and show a commitment to professional issues demonstrated
through interest in local or national committee work, research, or
publication.  Exhibit strong project management, analytical skills,
and problem-solving abilities.

Preferred Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: Preferred candidates
will also have enhanced computer skills and will be familiar with
XML, MODS, METS, MARC/EAD, DACS and the Archivists' Toolkit.

New York University Libraries: Libraries at New York University
serve the school's 40,000 students and faculty and contain more than
5 million volumes.  The Libraries support NYU's vision to become the
first true Global Network University by collaborating and providing
services to our 11 global academic centers and our first "portal
campus," at NYU Abu Dhabi.  New York University Libraries is a
member of the Association of Research Libraries, the OCLC Research
Library Partnership, and the Digital Library Federation.  The
Libraries participate in a variety of consortia and collaborates
closely with the New-York Historical Society and the Brooklyn
Historical Society.  For the NYU Libraries Mission and Strategic
Plan, visit:

    <URL:http://library.nyu.edu/about/Strategic_Plan.pdf>

New York University Libraries Special Collections: NYU's Fales
Library and Special Collections houses the general special
collections of NYU as well as the Downtown collection; the Marion
Nestle Food Studies collection; the Riot Grrrl collection; and the
Berol Collection of Lewis Carroll.  The span of materials includes
rare books and manuscripts, photographs, audio and audiovisual
media, art objects, scrapbooks, and other ephemera.  All aspects of
the collection are used heavily by the University community and
external researchers, as well as for teaching purposes.  The
Tamiment Library and Robert F. Wagner Labor Archives form a unique,
internationally-known center for scholarly research on Labor and the
Left.  The Tamiment book, document, print, photograph, film, and
oral history collections describe the history of the labor movement
and how it relates to the broader struggle for economic, social, and
political change.  The New York University Archives serves as the
final repository for the historical records of the institution.  Its
primary purpose is to document the history of the University since
its founding in 1831, and to provide source material for
administrators, faculty, students, alumni, and other members of the
University community, as well as scholars, authors, and other
interested persons who seek to evaluate the impact of the
University's activities on the history of social, cultural, and
intellectual development in America.

The Barbara Goldsmith Preservation and Conservation Department is
located along the east wing of lower level 2 in Elmer Holmes Bobst
Library.  The primary purpose of the department is to preserve,
protect, and thereby extend the usable life of the NYU Libraries'
collections.  The department pursues this objective in accordance
with the mission and goals of the Libraries and nationally
recognized standards for preservation and conservation of library
and archival materials.  The department is responsible for the
following activities: commercial binding, conservation treatment,
disaster preparedness and response, environmental monitoring, media
preservation, and staff and patron education.

To Apply: To ensure consideration, please apply at:

    <URL:https://www.nyucareers.com/applicants/Central?quickFind=61083>

Applicant review will begin on January 4, 2016; the position will
remain open until filled.

NYU's Division of Libraries embraces diversity and is committed to
attracting qualified candidates who also embrace and value diversity
and inclusivity.

NYU is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer.

Laura McCann
Conservation Librarian
Barbara Goldsmith Preservation and Conservation Department
New York University Libraries


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                  Conservation DistList Instance 29:28
                 Distributed: Friday, December 4, 2015
                       Message Id: cdl-29-28-026
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