[PADG:529] Conservation Position at Chicago

[Sherry Byrne <sbyr@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

The University of Chicago Library is pleased to announce a new position, Head of Conservation.  See posting below.

Thanks,
Sherry Byrne
Preservation Librarian
University of Chicago Library

University of Chicago Library
Head of Conservation

The University of Chicago Library is seeking candidates with energy and vision for the newly created position of Head of Conservation in the Preservation Department, which is part of the Special Collections Division.  The Preservation Department, established in 1985, manages a Library-wide preservation program, including library binding, in-house conservation treatment and repair, outsourcing conservation treatment services, brittle book replacement activities, digital reformatting of library materials for preservation, management of Library-supported and grant-funded preservation projects, and consultation on a wide range of preservation concerns. The Library is committed to preservation of materials in all formats represented in the collection. A recently established Andrew W. Mellon Conservation Endowment provides ongoing support for the Library?s conservation activities.  Preservation Department staff participate in regional groups and contribute to national initiatives in the field.  

The University of Chicago Library is a world-renowned collection with more than 7 million printed works.  Thirty million manuscripts and archival items, 420,000 maps and aerial photographs, and large sets of microform materials complement the printed works.  A variety of electronic resources, web pages, indexes and abstracting tools, digital maps, and images can be accessed in the Library and remotely.  The collection is housed in the Joseph Regenstein Library, the John Crerar Library, the D?Angelo Law Library and 4 departmental libraries.  The Library employs a staff of over 300 FTE and has a centralized organizational structure.  The University of Chicago is an active member of regional and national groups including the Committee on Institutional Cooperation (CIC), the Research Libraries Group (RLG), and the Digital Library Federation (DLF).  For more information on the Library?s collections and services, please visit the Library?s Web site at:

http://www.lib.uchicago.edu/e/
. 

RESPONSIBILITIES
Reporting to the Preservation Librarian, the Head of Conservation
will be responsible for planning, developing and directing a conservation
treatment program for both general and special collections at the
University of Chicago.  The initial stages of program development
will focus on assessing the conservation needs of collections
library-wide and preparing a 5-year plan. The plan will specify the size
and scope of conservation activities appropriate for Chicago?s collection
and the level of funding required to meet program needs.  The Head
of Conservation will participate in planning a conservation lab as part
of the Preservation Department, which will be located in the Library?s
new onsite shelving facility to open in 2009.  The Head of
Conservation will also have an active role with other members of the
Preservation Team planning workflow for the preparation and treatment of
materials to be transferred to the new facility.

The Head of Conservation will work in close collaboration with staff
across the Library including subject bibliographers and curators, the
Preservation Manager in the Special Collections Research Center, and
Preservation Department managers to evaluate collections needs, set
priorities, develop short and long-range conservation proposals, identify
grant opportunities, and work on grant projects.  The Head of
Conservation will serve as the Library?s lead expert on the conservation
of library collections, advise Library staff on preservation principles
and practices, and provide leadership Library-wide on conservation
issues.
  
The Head of Conservation will manage the existing collections care
program for the circulating and non-circulating materials in the general
collection.  This involves supervising and training 1 FTE support
staff currently assigned to the treatment of a wide range of library
materials, managing the outsourcing of conservation treatment services,
establishing specifications and procedures for work performed,
establishing workflow patterns, and ensuring the quality of completed
work.  The Head of Conservation will participate in grant-writing
and development activities.  

The Head of Conservation will maintain professional affiliations in
appropriate organizations, keep abreast of current and new developments
in conservation principles, treatments, and procedures, and be encouraged
to actively participate in Library activities and serve on Library
committees.  The Head of Conservation will have opportunities to
represent the Library at professional conferences and meetings.
.  
QUALIFICATIONS:
Education and training: 
An MLIS or MLS degree from an ALA-accredited program with relevant
course work in conservation chemistry is required.  A graduate
degree in conservation or an advanced certificate in conservation or an
equivalent combination of education and experience is required.

Experience:
A minimum of two years professional post internship conservation
experience, budget and project management responsibilities, and
experience in a library setting are required 

Knowledge and skills:
Ability to conceptualize and apply practical skills to develop and
implement a program, flexibility and creativity, knowledge of
preservation issues in large research libraries, knowledge of book and
printing history, advanced knowledge of conservation treatment
procedures, demonstrated planning, organizational and analytic skills and
excellent oral and written communication skills are all
required.

SALARY AND BENEFITS: Appointment salary based on qualifications
and experience.  Salary range begins at $47,625.  Benefits
include retirement plan, insurance, and paid time off.  There is a
tuition benefit plan for college age and younger children.

APPLICATION:  Should include resume and names, addresses,
e-mail addresses, and telephone numbers of three references.  Review
of application will begin upon receipt and continue until the position is
filled. Candidates invited to interview will be asked to submit a
portfolio representative of recent conservation treatment work in the
area of library and archival materials.  Applications received
by August 15th, will be assured consideration.  Application
by e-mail is strongly encouraged; please send to
chicagoconservation@lib
  Note in header ?attention of Denise Weintraub.? 
Applications may also be mailed to the Personnel Office, The University
of Chicago Library, 1100 East 57th Street, Chicago, Illinois 60637. 
AA/EOE

Sherry Byrne
Preservation Librarian
University of Chicago Library
1100 E. 57th Street, Room 150
Chicago, IL  60637
sbyr@xxxxxxxxxxxx
(773) 702-9313 voice
(773) 702-6623 fax