[PADG:450] Head of Conservation Services: Northwestern University Library

[Tyra Grant <stgrant@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Head of Conservation Services, Northwestern University Library

Conservation Services is the unit within the Preservation Department
responsible for collection and item level conservation treatment, housing
and care. 

Responsibilities: The Head of Conservation Services assumes
primary responsibility for administering all aspects of Northwestern
University Library?s conservation treatments program; serves as
conservator, lead expert and advisor on the conservation and physical
care of all collections. Additionally provides Library-wide leadership
for environmental monitoring, emergency response and recovery, advising
on exhibits planning and preparation and information to the public
concerning conservation practices at the Library. Responsibilities:
Manages and develops the Library?s conservation treatments program
including: managing lab and substantial lab budget; supervising 2.5 FTE
conservation technicians and a consistently significant number of hourly
assistants; develops systems and standards for general and special
collections conservation; performs or oversees conservation treatments
for rare/special library materials; trains and consults as appropriate;
works closely with librarians and curators to determine treatment needs,
priorities and solutions, focusing primarily on book and paper
conservation and secondarily on other formats; assists in managing and
developing the Preservation Department; serves as the Acting Head in the
absence of the Preservation Department Head; consults on technical
specifications for contract treatment services such as mass
deacidification and commercial binding; proposes and implements new
services or projects, including collection surveys, multi-divisional and
multi-institutional activities. Stays current with new developments in
conservation and conducts research to further Library and Departmental
goals; represents the Library at regional, national and international
meetings of conservation professionals. 

Qualifications
Required: Master?s degree from a recognized conservation training
program; or a Master?s degree in library and information science with
advanced formal training in conservation; or equivalent combination of
education and relevant experience. Education should include knowledge of
conservation principles and practices and of the physical and chemical
nature of paper, books and conservation materials; and a full
understanding of principles of book conservation, history of book
structure, binding techniques and materials science; demonstrated ability
to work on a wide range of collections, primarily book and paper, and to
communicate effectively about their treatment needs; demonstrated
management and supervisory skills and a strong service orientation. 
Preferred: Three years experience as a conservator in recognized
library conservation program, demonstrating increasing management and
supervisory responsibilities; experience working in a research library
and preservation program; experience with additional formats, especially
photos or AV formats; familiarity or experience with commercial binding,
mass deacidification or contract conservation services; training
expertise; demonstrated ability to conduct independent research to
support planning and development; record of professional membership,
participation and contribution. 
Portfolio:  Applicants chosen for interview must present a
conservation treatments portfolio demonstrating basic collections
conservation treatments as well as rare book and paper treatments with
documentation. 

Environment:  Northwestern University is a major private
university with an extensive library system to support study, research
and teaching.  The system includes the Northwestern University
Library, three branch libraries on the Evanston Campus, and three
libraries on the Chicago Campus.  Northwestern University Library is
a member of the Association of Research Libraries (ARL) and participates
in programs of the Committee on Institutional Cooperation (CIC). The
holdings of the libraries total over 4 million volumes.  The
Library?s Preservation Department was created in 1983, and has enjoyed
extraordinarily long-standing and strong support from within the Library.
Conservation Services? operations are housed in a new 1,400 sq. ft.
conservation lab which was completed in 2001. Salary: Dependent on
qualifications and experience, minimum $38,600. 

To apply:  Send a letter of application and resume including names
of three references to Peter J. Devlin, Personnel Librarian, Northwestern
University Library, 1970 Campus Drive, Evanston, IL 60208-2300 or

library-personnel@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx. Review of applications will begin
immediately and continue until position is filled. Northwestern
University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer.
Employment eligibility verification required upon hire.