Position at Yale

Conservation Assistant III, Collections Care
Preservation Department
Yale University Library

Grade:  C&T level E
37.5 hours/wk
Work Schedule:  Weekdays 8:30 a.m. 5 pm

The University Library, which is a highly valued partner in teaching
and research at the University, has more than 13 million volumes
housed in the Sterling Memorial Library and 22 school and
departmental libraries. It employs a dynamic and innovative staff of
nearly 600 FTE who have the opportunity to work with the highest
caliber of faculty and students, participate on committees and are
involved in other areas of staff development. A full spectrum of
library resources, from rare books and manuscripts to a rapidly
expanding network of electronic resources, constitutes Yale's
distinctive strengths. The Library is engaged in numerous ambitious
projects such as the renovation of the main library building and
various automation projects that include network access to scholarly
information and preservation imaging. Yale is a member of the
Program for Cooperative Cataloging and contributes to the NACO and
BIBCO Programs. For additional information on the Yale University
Library, please see

    <URL:http://www.library.yale.edu/>

Yale University Library's Preservation Department, started in 1971,
is one of the oldest in the country.  It has strong administrative
support and has played a major role in the development of the
preservation field.  The department consists of units covering
special collections conservation, collections care and reformatting
with system wide responsibilities for the treatment of rare and
special collections materials and circulating materials, mass
deacidification, microfilming, preservation photocopying, staff and
user-education and consultation on wide variety of preservation
concerns.

Collections Care is one unit within the Preservation Department and
is responsible for the care and repair of all circulating
collections including reference materials. In addition, Collections
Care includes monograph commercial binding. Collections Care staff
consult and provide leadership Library-wide on conservation issues
such as the safe care and handling of circulating collections,
emergency response and recovery, and provide information to the
public on preservation practices at Yale University Library. The
Collections Care Supervisor serves as a member of the Preservation
Management Team.

Responsibilities: Under the close supervision of the Head of
Collections Care the Conservation Assistant III performs a variety
of tasks related to the repair of books and other library materials
from Yale's circulating collections.  The Conservation Assistant III
is responsible for repairing library materials by returning them to
a usable condition while retaining as much of the original
information as possible. S/he will disbind, bind and repair
bindings; such repairs may include but not limited to: rebacks,
board reattachment, and a variety of minor binding repairs.  Repairs
and protects paper by dry cleaning, tissue mending, and adhesive
removal.  The Conservation Assistant will propose appropriate repair
methods, based on established repair protocols, give time estimates,
and document treatments performed.  S/he may assist in determining
appropriate repairs, and carry them out according to specified
standards.  The Conservation Assistant is expected to track personal
work statistics via paper sheets and/ or electronic spreadsheets;
maintain accurate records of object status throughout accession,
treatment and return.  The assistant will make protective
enclosures, including phase boxes and clamshell boxes.  S/he will
perform book and paper repair with tools and equipment appropriate
for the task; this includes but is not limited to hand tools, book
presses, board shears, guillotine, ultrasonic welder, and board
creaser; and may also perform maintenance on this equipment.  The
Conservation Assistant may take lead responsibilities in some areas
of expertise and use a limited range of chemicals to perform
specific treatments when necessary, following appropriate safety
measures.  S/he handles highly complex conservation tasks that
require knowledge and expertise in multiple techniques and tools;
using skills and abilities to adapt techniques and knowledge to
solve unique problems. The Conservation Assistant is expected to
maintain awareness of current bookbinding and conservation
techniques and assist in training staff and may take lead
responsibilities, including overseeing and coordinating projects or
work processes.  S/He will assist with disaster recovery operation
following standard recovery procedures.  The Conservation Assistant
is expected to follow unit and department procedures and policies,
and perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications: Bachelor's degree and two years of directly relevant
experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Demonstrated knowledge of the fundamentals, techniques and history
of bookbinding, paper treatment and conservation.  A portfolio of
relevant work is required as is excellent manual dexterity; patience
with delicate, sometimes repetitious tasks.  The position requires
effective organizational skills and basic computer skills including
word processing and use of spreadsheets and good communication
interpersonal skills.  Ability to move pallets of board or other
oversized supplies using a hand truck; to push a fully loaded book
truck; and to lift boxes up to 30 lbs and/or sit for long periods of
time.  References must indicate reliable attendance and punctuality,
accuracy, attention to detail and diligent performance.  Experience
in directing the work of others is preferred.

Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.  To be
considered, complete Yale's on-line application and provide a cover
letter and resume including the names of three references at

    <URL:http://www.yale.edu/
        hronline/stars/application/external/index.html>

    **** Moderator's comments: The above URL has been wrapped for
    email. There should be no newline.

If selected, offer is contingent on the results of a background
check.  Questions regarding application and/or job description may
be directed via email to hrlinbrary [at] yale__edu

Yale University is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer

Ian Bogus
Head, Collections Care
Preservation Department
Yale University Libraries
130 Wall Street
PO Box 208240
New Haven, CT 06520-8240
203-432-1721
Fax: 203-432-9900


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                  Conservation DistList Instance 21:17
                  Distributed: Saturday, July 21, 2007
                       Message Id: cdl-21-17-035
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