Volume 7, Number 4
Sep 1983

Positions Open

All positions were open as of Sept. 16.

BOOK CONSERVATOR/CONSERVATION LAB SUPERVISOR
Newberry Library, Chicago

A private humanities research library with new conservation facilities is seeking an experienced book conservator to supervise its Conservation Laboratory. Requirements include a broad theoretical understanding of book conservation: qualities of materials, environmental influences, protective storage possibilities, treatment options, binding techniques and sufficient paper chemistry for choosing conservation treatments of library materials; highly developed skills in a broad range of conservation treatments, binding and protective housing techniques; familiarity with simple laboratory methods of testing and formulating; an awareness of historical and bibliographical implications of conservation treatment.

Responsibilities include executing a wide variety of book conservation treatments, specifying treatment for books accepted by the Lab, supervising the Lab staff (3-4 people) including advising and instructing as necessary, allocating work, evaluating work before it is discharged from the Lab and participating in the hiring and training of Lab staff. In this large library with a conservation-conscious staff, the Lab Supervisor must be able to act effectively and maintain a sense of perspective in a department where the unexpected and unscheduled is the norm. The Lab Supervisor reports to the Preservation Librarian. Applicants must have at least five years of conservation binding and treatment experience, preferably in a research library situation. Send inquiries and resumes to Bonnie Jo Cullison, Preservation Librarian, The Newberry Library, 60 W. Walton, Chicago, IL 60610. Deadline for applications November 1983.

HAND BOOKBINDER
Gibbes Art Gallery, Charleston

The Dudley L. Vaill Memorial Bindery (established 1962) at the Gibbes Art Gallery in Charleston, South Carolina, seeks an experienced hand bookbinder who may be interested in establishing a workshop/training environment where he/she may teach part time and pursue independent projects for private and institutional clients. The bindery is well-equipped; salary is negotiable; seasonal arrangements are possible. Contact the Administrator, Gibbes Art Gallery, 135 Meeting St., Charleston, SC 29401.

SENIOR PAPER CONSERVATOR
Humanities Research Center, Austin

The Conservation Department of the Humanities Research Center is seeking a highly qualified paper conservator to supervise a staff of five in the Paper Conservation Section. The position offers a unique opportunity to develop a program for the care of a wide range of paper artifacts in a brand-new, well-appointed paper lab. Applicants should be graduates of a recognized conservation training program and have at least 3 to 5 years additional experience or equivalent qualifications. Preference will be given to applicants experienced in teaching, supervision, and in working effectively with curators of collections. Salary in the range of $28,000-$30,000 per annum, depending on qualifications. Send resume, including names and addresses of at least three professional references, to Don Etherington, Chief Conservation Officer, Humanities Research Center, University of Texas at Austin, Box 7219, Austin, TX 78712.

PRESERVATION INTERNSHIPS, 1984-86
Library of Congress

The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation has awarded a grant of $135,000 to the Library of Congress Preservation Office to support internships in preservation administration and preservation science over the next three years. The internships will enable the Library to increase the level of activity in several areas affecting national preservation program development, while providing new preservation specialists with opportunities for advanced experience and training.

One-year administrative internships in the Preservation Office will be available to three qualified librarians during the fiscal years 1984, 1985 and 198g. Two 15-month internships will be open to qualified scientists during the same period in the Preservation Research and Testing Office.

Each internship will begin with an in-depth orientation to preservation activities throughout the Library. Preservation administration interns' time will then be divided between participating in the daily operations and planning of Preservation Office activities and conducting special projects designed to match each intern's particular interests with current preservation priorities in the Library. Applicants for administrative intern positions should hold a master's degree in Library Science, and should have completed a year of advanced study leading to a certificate in preservation. Administrative interns will be appointed at the GT-9 level with an annual salary of $20,256.

Candidates for the science internships should have a master's degree in chemistry followed by at least one year of appropriate research experience. Science interns will be appointed at the GT-II level with an annual salary of $24,508. Applicants should submit a completed Standard Form 171 (OPM), copies of transcripts documenting appropriate educational achievements and a letter describing preservation experience and interests to: Christopher Arntzen, Recruitment and Placement Specialist, Library of Congress, Washington, DC 20540. Further information regarding qualification requirements and application procedures may be obtained by calling (202) 287-S620.

CONSERVATORS
Federal Government

[The Office of Personnel Management register opened for conservators grade 7, 9, 11 and 12 on or about August 22 and closes October 6. This means an opportunity to apply for all jobs of a certain type by putting oneself into the pool of applicants. If you want a government job in conservation, don't go directly to the agency as usual, but send your papers to: OPM, Washington Area Office, 1900 E Street NW, Washington, DC 20413. The following papers will be needed: SF-171, OPM 1170/17, and 5000 ABC. They can be obtained at the local OPM office in the Federal Building of any city. No cover letter is necessary--if you put "Conservator" at the top of the 171, that will get the forms to the right place. If you can't get the 1170-17, send your college transcript. Allow several days for filling out the SF-171. There is one hitch: This may apply only to museum conservators. Also, the Library of Congress still--always--takes its applications directly. Also, some of the jobs may be open only to government employees.]

ASSISTANT OR ASSOCIATE PAPER CONSERVATOR
CCAHA, Philadelphia

The Conservation Center for Art and Historic Artifacts is accepting applications for the position stated above. The Assistant or Associate Conservator will work with fellow conservators in a spacious, well equipped laboratory under the direction of Marilyn Kemp Weidner.

The applicants should have a graduate degree from an art conservation training program with a one-year internship, or equivalent apprenticeship training. Associate Conservator applicants must have three years of experience beyond the training period.

The duties of this permanent position include examining works of art and historic artifacts on paper, preparing reports, and performing conservation treatments, independently and with other conservators. Training and experience in the treatment of photographs and/or library and archival materials is an asset but not a requirement of the position. Other duties include participating in field work such as surveys, consultations, lectures, workshops and seminars. The Associate Conservator position would also include assisting the Director of Conservation/ Chief Conservator (M. Weidner) as needed in training assistant conservators, technicians, interns and apprentices; and coordinating monthly scheduling and planning of laboratory work. Send resume to: CCAHA, 260 South Broad St., Philadelphia, PA 19102.

Position Sought

Henry Pelham Burn (P0 Box 310, Lenox Hill Station, New York, NY 10021, 212/861-5165) is looking for binding and restoration work, either part or full time, at a fairly basic level. He was at the Craft Students League of New York for two years (1980-82) with Natalie Blatt (c/o YWCA, 610 Lexington Ave., New York, NY 10022) and now works with Mindell Dubansky at the Watson Library one day a week (c/o Metropolitan Museum of Art, 82nd and Fifth Ave., New York, NY 10025). He is a member of the Guild of Book Workers, a permanent resident of the U.S. born in England, and willing to relocate if it is worth while.