UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND LIBRARIES
POSITION
DESCRIPTION
Date
Prepared: September 2006
Division: Technical Services
Classification: Manager
Reports to: Preservation Production Team Leader
Department: Preservation Production Group
Descriptive Title: Collections Conservator - Conservation Team Leader
POSITION
SUMMARY:
Within a team environment, responsible for the planning,
implementation, and
administration of the conservation program for the UMD Libraries’
general and
special collections. Manages the work of the Conservation Team.
Provides
professional expertise in determining the proper course of treatment
for
library and archival materials in need of conservation. Trains and
supervises
staff and students involved in collections conservation activities.
Executes a
wide range of conservation treatments on paper-based library and
archival
materials, and arranges for other professional conservation services
that
cannot be accomplished in-house. Serves as a resource to the College
Park
Campus. Achieves goals and objectives within an environment of shared
responsibility, and in support of strategic plans and vision.
Coordinates and
facilitates inter and intra production team activities, facilitates
team
communications, fosters an environment of shared responsibility, and
develops
and promotes team plans and vision. As team leader, works directly with
team
members to plan, develop and implement ongoing activities and special
projects
and establish team goals and objectives. Provides leadership through
active
participation on teams and committees at the production group,
division, and
Library level and within the profession.
ORGANIZATIONAL
CHARACTERISTICS:
Responsible for the administration of the collections conservation
program.
Serves on the Preservation Production Group Leadership Team and serves
as a
member of TSD coordinating teams and Library functional and program
teams as
appropriate. Reports to the Preservation Production Team Leader. The University of Maryland Libraries promotes a
team
based, collaborative, continuous learning environment. Librarians hold
faculty
status and contribute to the teaching, service and research mission of
the
University.
PRINCIPAL
ACCOUNTABILITIES:
- Develops and implements
(in consultation with Production Group Leader) a conservation program
designed to meet the conservation/preservation needs of UM’s libraries
and archival collections. Working closely with team members and
collection management colleagues, plans, prioritizes, and accomplishes
treatment goals. As a member of the Preservation Production Group,
contributes to the planning, development, coordination, and
implementation of initiatives within the production group.
- Provides condition
assessment for individual collection items from both general and
special collections. Develops set of treatment options and
specification guidelines in careful consideration of available
resources, collection context, and use patterns.
- Provides
collection-level condition assessments: performs condition surveys of
general and special library collections in cooperation with other
library staff; documents survey results; and develops broad treatment
plans based on size, nature, condition, and use patterns of the
collections.
- Manages in-house
conservation laboratory. Responsible for the selection of appropriate
conservation supplies, tools, and equipment; maintenance of
tools/equipment and establishment of quality control procedures to
verify the adherence of products to standards. Evaluates and improves
efficiencies of workflow while ensuring accepted conservation-sound
practices and safe lab protocols.
- In collaboration with
the Preservation Production Group Leader, manages outsourcing of
conservation treatments that cannot be performed in house. Responsible
for coordination of projects with curators and collection managers,
selection of professional services, and authorization of treatment. In
collaboration with Preservation Production Group Leader, maintains the
budget and treatment documentation files.
- Participates in the
creation and evaluation of outsourcing RFPs, bids, and memos of
understanding, such as the commercial library bindery RFP.
- Trains staff in
specialized conservation procedures, quality standards, and lab
protocols. Evaluates training needs and assists staff in acquiring the
skills, knowledge and competencies needed to improve job performance.
- Participates in the
evaluation of preservation technologies and in assessment of their
appropriateness for UM Libraries. Maintains a current awareness of
conservation principles and practices as they apply to library and
archival materials, and develops and tests new treatment procedures and
approaches to problem solving.
- Participates in the
development of outreach initiatives for care of collections and
conservation for branch libraries and public services and address staff
training needs. Sets goals and priorities; develops training tools,
plans and directs workflow, and evaluates progress. Along with others
in the Preservation Production Group, serves as a resource to all
library staff regarding any activities that may have a
preservation/conservation impact.
- Performs a wide variety
of conservation treatments.
- Performs all required
personnel activities such as preparing job descriptions, interviewing
and selecting staff, performance review and development, merit
assessments, discipline etc. Determines performance deficiencies and
designs interventions.
- Collaborates with other
units and colleagues to improve service and serves on Library teams,
committees, and other groups. Is a member of the Preservation Committee
and Salvage Squad.
- Participates in Library
and divisional planning activities.
- Fulfills “Technical
Services’ Common Expectations of Staff” and performs other duties as
requested.
DIMENSIONS:
Number
of Staff Supervised: Direct: 2 FTE
Number of Students Supervised: Direct: 5 FTE
Formal
Leadership:
Supervisor: participates in the selection process of new employees;
assists
with performance appraisals; disciplinary problems are referred to a
higher
level. Performs similar and higher level tasks.
Complexity
of Work:
Complex: Functions differ significantly from each other or a major
function is
broad and requires integration of differing complicated bodies of
knowledge.
Analytical ability is clearly required.
Autonomy
(Freedom of Action):
Little Guidance: Performs complex functions, establishes priorities,
resolves
issues, rarely refers to supervisors.
Interactions:
Primary interactions include all levels of staff within the Production
Group,
throughout the division. Outside of the TSD, primary interactions
include
subject selectors, collection managers and curators, leaders,
committees, team
members and colleagues from other divisions. Other interactions include
members
of faculty and staff in other academic institutions and libraries and
in
professional associations, outside vendors and suppliers, students,
faculty and
staff of the University, and University officials responsible for
occupational
health and safety issues.
Fiscal
Responsibility:
Collaborates
with Preservation Production Group Leader in tracking outsourced work
and
supplies and equipment expenditures, and in monitoring a Labor and
Assistance
budget for the Conservation Team.
Physical
Working Conditions:
Normal
office environment which also involves the regular use of heavy
equipment,
cutting tools, and adhesives. Limited use of solvents. Occasional
library water
salvage situations. Exposure to mold and dust.
MINIMUM
QUALIFICATIONS:
Academic
Level: Advanced degree in conservation of library and archival
materials; or
equivalent combination of degrees and experience, with formal training
in
conservation and preservation.
Practical
Experience: A minimum of two years of experience/training as a
conservator in a
recognized conservation facility.
Technical
Qualifications or Specialized Certifications: Demonstrated knowledge of
the
physical and chemical nature of library and archival materials; the
history of
the book and paper making; conservation ethics, principles and
practices and their
appropriate application; and conservation supplies, tools, equipment,
vendors,
and current technical standards and specifications.
Other
Knowledge, skills, abilities and competencies: Ability to train and
supervise
staff, assess their work, plan, organize, and direct work flow, and
plan and
organize physical space. Demonstrated management, supervisory, and
leadership
skills. Must have ability to manage a broad variety of tasks in
response to
varying time pressures with shifting priorities and changing
constraints. Must
have the ability to take direction as well as provide direction and
motivation
to staff. Evidence of ability to interact collaboratively and work
effectively
with teams. Evidence of strong service orientation; an ability to
anticipate customer
needs and seek ways of providing satisfactory solutions. Ability to
interact
effectively with a broad variety of staff within and outside of
Technical
Services. Excellent interpersonal skills; ability to communicate
clearly,
knowledgeably, and personably, orally and in writing with all persons
potentially affected by the scope of the work. Demonstrated record of
professional contribution.
APPLICATIONS: For full consideration, submit cover letter,
resume and names/addresses of three references by October 30, 2006. Applications accepted until position is
filled. Send to: Johnnie Love, Library Human
Resources Office, McKeldin Library, University
of Maryland, College Park, MD
20742‑7011. Email applications to: jlove1@xxxxxxx Fax: 301-314‑9960. Full job
description at: http://www.lib.umd.edu/PASD/LPO/LibJobs/222.html
--
___________________________
Kate Murray
Audiovisual Archivist
Nonprint Media Services Library
University of Maryland
0300 Hornbake Library
College Park, MD 20742-7011
tel: 301 314 3287
fax: 301 314 9419
kmurray@xxxxxxx