Preservation Services Librarian
(Librarian II)
Collection Management Services
MIT LIBRARIES
The MIT Libraries seek an enthusiastic and creative librarian to
provide leadership of its preservation and conservation programs.
This is an exciting opportunity to manage a robust program for a
world-renowned university and support access for students and
faculty to MIT's rich collections. Preservation Services was
renovated in 2002 incorporating the E. Martin and Ethel Wunsch
Conservation Laboratory, which provides state-of-the-art equipment
and well-designed workspace where staff perform myriad preservation
treatments for rare and unique materials. For more information about
Preservation Services and the Wunsch Conservation Laboratory go to:
http://libraries.mit.edu/preservation/index.html.
RESPONSIBILITIES: The Preservation Services Librarian will lead the
preservation program for the general and special collections of the
MIT Libraries. S/he will develop and implement plans for in-house
and outsourced operations, including general and special collections
conservation, commercial binding, shelf preparation, and
reformatting. The incumbent will work collaboratively with the
collections staff of individual libraries and with staff of the
Institute Archives and Special Collections to set priorities and
determine appropriate preservation strategies for the collections.
S/he will determine treatments in response to diverse general
collection conservation goals and train and oversee staff in
undertaking these treatments. The incumbent will direct outreach to
both users and staff, coordinate disaster preparedness and response,
and will participate in resource development activities including
donor relations, campus events and grant proposals. S/he will
monitor emerging preservation technologies in analog and digital
media, with possible growth in responsibilities to include digital
preservation. The Preservation Services Librarian will train support
staff in unit operations, manage workflow, and monitor quality
assurance and productivity. S/he will manage budgets, oversee supply
and equipment purchasing and prepare management and statistical
reports. S/he will also participate in system-wide committees and
projects as appropriate. The Preservation Services Librarian will
report to the Head of Collection Management Services. S/he will have
full supervisory responsibility for one professional (the
conservator), 3.5 support staff, student assistants, and temporary
workers.
QUALIFICATIONS: An MLS/MSLIS from an ALA-accredited library school
with advanced study in the preservation and conservation of library
and archival materials, or with subsequent work in a preservation
position or as a collections conservator. Three to five years
direct/related professional experience. Substantial knowledge of
the theory and practice of preservation and conservation, including
strong bench skills. (Candidates who are interviewed will be asked
to present a portfolio of recent conservation treatments.)
Well-developed interpersonal and communication skills and ability to
work effectively in an environment which focuses on collaboration
and service excellence. Demonstrated organizational and problem
solving skills, flexibility and ability to manage projects and
competing priorities. Experience in supervision and training.
Evidence of initiative, creativity and potential to succeed in a
production oriented, rapidly changing, research library environment.
Candidates are expected to demonstrate a genuine interest and
enthusiasm for the position.
HIRING SALARY: $47,000 minimum. Actual salary will depend on
qualifications and experience.
Review of applications will begin November 7, 2005. Send cover
letter, resume, and names and addresses of three current references
to:
Search Committee for Preservation Services Librarian
The Libraries, Room 14S-324
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
77 Massachusetts Ave.
Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139-4307
The MIT Libraries include five major subject libraries (architecture
and planning; engineering; humanities; science; management and
social sciences) and several branch libraries in more specialized
subject areas. The Libraries hold more than 2.7 million printed
volumes, and extensive collections in other physical formats. Over
300 digital databases and over 4500 electronic journals are licensed
for access on the Institute's network. The Libraries utilize Ex
Libris' Aleph system as its public Web-based catalog and as the
support system for user service and processing functions. The
Libraries' webpage (http://libraries.mit.edu/) presents information
about library services, as well as access to information resources
through the staff-designed Vera interface. MIT Libraries maintain
membership in the Association of Research Libraries, the Boston
Library Consortium, and OCLC through NELINET, as well as in
EDUCAUSE, the Coalition of Networked Information, and the Digital
Library Federation.
MIT offers excellent benefits including a choice of health and
retirement plans, a dental plan, tuition assistance and a relocation
allowance. The MIT Libraries affords a flexible and collegial
working environment and fosters professional growth of its staff
with management training and travel funding for professional
meetings.
MIT is strongly and actively committed to diversity within its
community and particularly encourages applications from qualified
women and ethnic minority candidates.