Preservation Services Librarian
(Librarian II)
Collection Management Services
MIT LIBRARIES
The MIT Libraries seek an enthusiastic and creative librarian to
provide leadership of its preservation and conservation programs.
This is an exciting opportunity to manage a robust program for a
world-renowned university and support access for students and faculty
to MIT's rich collections. Preservation Services was renovated in
2002 incorporating the E. Martin and Ethel Wunsch Conservation
Laboratory, which provides state-of-the-art equipment and
well-designed workspace where staff perform myriad preservation
treatments for rare and unique materials. For more information about
Preservation Services and the Wunsch Conservation Laboratory go to:
http://libraries.mit.edu/preservation/index.html.
RESPONSIBILITIES: The Preservation Services Librarian will lead the
preservation program for the general and special collections of the
MIT Libraries. S/he will develop and implement plans for in-house and
outsourced operations, including general and special collections
conservation, commercial binding, shelf preparation, and
reformatting. The incumbent will work collaboratively with the
collections staff of individual libraries and with staff of the
Institute Archives and Special Collections to set priorities and
determine appropriate preservation strategies for the collections.
S/he will determine treatments in response to diverse general
collection conservation goals and train and oversee staff in
undertaking these treatments. The incumbent will direct outreach to
both users and staff, coordinate disaster preparedness and response,
and will participate in resource development activities including
donor relations, campus events and grant proposals. S/he will monitor
emerging preservation technologies in analog and digital media, with
possible growth in responsibilities to include digital preservation.
The Preservation Services Librarian will train support staff in unit
operations, manage workflow, and monitor quality assurance and
productivity. S/he will manage budgets, oversee supply and equipment
purchasing and prepare management and statistical reports. S/he will
also participate in system-wide committees and projects as
appropriate. The Preservation Services Librarian will report to the
Head of Collection Management Services. S/he will have full
supervisory responsibility for one professional (the conservator),
3.5 support staff, student assistants, and temporary workers.
QUALIFICATIONS: An MLS/MSLIS from an ALA-accredited library school
with advanced study in the preservation and conservation of library
and archival materials, or with subsequent work in a preservation
position or as a collections conservator. Three to five years
direct/related professional experience. Substantial knowledge of the
theory and practice of preservation and conservation, including
strong bench skills. (Candidates who are interviewed will be asked
to present a portfolio of recent conservation treatments.)
Well-developed interpersonal and communication skills and ability to
work effectively in an environment which focuses on collaboration and
service excellence. Demonstrated organizational and problem solving
skills, flexibility and ability to manage projects and competing
priorities. Experience in supervision and training. Evidence of
initiative, creativity and potential to succeed in a production
oriented, rapidly changing, research library environment. Candidates
are expected to demonstrate a genuine interest and enthusiasm for the
position.
HIRING SALARY: $47,000 minimum. Actual salary will depend on
qualifications and experience.
Review of applications will begin November 7, 2005. Send cover
letter, resume, and names and addresses of three current references
to:
Search Committee for Preservation Services Librarian
The Libraries, Room 14S-324
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
77 Massachusetts Ave.
Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139-4307
The MIT Libraries include five major subject libraries (architecture
and planning; engineering; humanities; science; management and social
sciences) and several branch libraries in more specialized subject
areas. The Libraries hold more than 2.7 million printed volumes, and
extensive collections in other physical formats. Over 300 digital
databases and over 4500 electronic journals are licensed for access
on the Institute's network. The Libraries utilize Ex Libris' Aleph
system as its public Web-based catalog and as the support system for
user service and processing functions. The Libraries' webpage
(http://libraries.mit.edu/) presents information about library
services, as well as access to information resources through the
staff-designed Vera interface. MIT Libraries maintain membership in
the Association of Research Libraries, the Boston Library Consortium,
and OCLC through NELINET, as well as in EDUCAUSE, the Coalition of
Networked Information, and the Digital Library Federation.
MIT offers excellent benefits including a choice of health and
retirement plans, a dental plan, tuition assistance and a relocation
allowance. The MIT Libraries affords a flexible and collegial
working environment and fosters professional growth of its staff with
management training and travel funding for professional meetings.
MIT is strongly and actively committed to diversity within its
community and particularly encourages applications from qualified
women and ethnic minority candidates.