Position at Yale

Exhibits Conservator
Preservation Department/Conservation Laboratory
Sterling Memorial Library
Yale University Library
Rank: Conservator I

37.5 hours per week; Monday through Friday
Fixed duration:
6 months from date of hire
Or
20 hours per week; Monday through Friday
Fixed duration:  48 weeks from date of hire

The University and the Library: 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
diverse, 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 rapidly expanding network of
electronic resources, constitutes one of Yale's distinctive
strengths. The Library is engaged in numerous digital initiatives
designed to provide access to a full array of scholarly information.
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/>

The Preservation Department: Yale University Library's Preservation
Department, <URL:http://www.library.yale.edu/preservation/> 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, staff and user-education and consultation on
wide variety of preservation concerns.

Conservation Laboratory: The Yale University Library's Conservation
Laboratory is one unit within the Preservation Department and is
responsible for item level treatment and housing of rare and special
materials throughout the Library system including the Beinecke Rare
Book and Manuscript Library, one of the world's largest buildings
devoted entirely to rare books and manuscripts.  In addition to
treatment, the Lab provides support for exhibits and consults and
provides assistance Library-wide on conservation issues such as the
safe care and handling of non-circulating collections, emergency
response and recovery, and provides information on Yale University
Library conservation practices to the public.

Responsibilities: Under the direction of the Chief Conservator,
prepares and oversees or assists with installation of books and
other library materials for exhibition at the Sterling Memorial
Library, including Manuscripts and Archives, and Beinecke Rare Book
and Manuscript Library.  The conservator, working with the
curators/librarians' exhibition schedules, will discuss
preservation/conservation requirements of items to be exhibited 6-12
months before exhibit/loan; reviews materials with curator/librarian
before exhibit/loan and direct materials needing extensive
conservation work to Conservation Lab.  S/he will coordinate with
curators/librarians the schedule of treatments and/or assists in the
proper packing of materials going out on loan and prepare
preservation paperwork and loan parameters associated with loan
agreements.  S/he will be expected to carry out minor repair and
stabilization of objects before exhibition; construct and/or
assemble mounts for materials going on exhibit and coordinate the
mounting and installation of exhibits with curators/librarians
working with appropriate staff to ensure that exhibition environment
meets preservation standards either in the Yale Library system or
for an external loan.  The conservator will monitor the Yale Library
exhibit schedule.  In addition s/he will assists with disaster
recovery operations following standard recovery procedures and
assist in the maintenance of conservation equipment and supplies.

Qualifications: Master's degree in Conservation, Materials Science,
Library Science (ALA-accredited program), or related field, and one
year relevant, professional conservation experience; or an
equivalent combination of education and experience is required.  The
successful candidate is expected to have experience in conservation
treatment, as demonstrated by a portfolio of work, concentrating on
library and archival materials with preferred experience in mounting
and installing exhibitions.  The position requires thorough
knowledge of conservation principles, techniques and procedures, as
demonstrated through previous relevant experience in a research or
academic institution and thorough knowledge of chemistry, artists'
materials and techniques, and history of library materials in
general. The successful candidate is expected to have knowledge of
the organization and administrative policies and procedures of
libraries and archives as well as strong communication and
analytical skills; the ability to work independently and with
others; the ability to excel in a dynamic team environment; and
strong computer skills

Salary and Benefits: Rank and competitive salary will be based upon
the successful candidate's qualifications and experience. All
external candidates for employment will be subject to pre-employment
screening. All offers are contingent on successful completion of a
background check. Internal candidates are also subject to
pre-employment screening for this position.  Full benefits package
including 22 vacation days; 18 holiday, recess and personal days;
comprehensive health care; TIAA/CREF or Yale retirement plan; and
relocation assistance.

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>

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


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                  Conservation DistList Instance 21:18
                 Distributed: Wednesday, August 1, 2007
                       Message Id: cdl-21-18-026
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