Position at Northwestern University

Head of Conservation Services:
Northwestern University Library

Assume primary responsibility for administering all aspects of
Northwestern University Library Preservation Department's
conservation treatments program; serve as conservator, lead expert
and advisor on the conservation and physical care of all
collections. Additionally provide 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 longstanding and strong support from within
the Library. Conservation Services' operations are housed in a new
1,400 square foot 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
    library-personnel<-a t->northwestern< . >edu

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.


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                  Conservation DistList Instance 18:55
                   Distributed: Tuesday, May 31, 2005
                       Message Id: cdl-18-55-008
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