[PADG:1061] Training opportunity at the University of Kansas

["Baker, Whitney S" <wbaker@xxxxxx>]

University of Kansas 
Graduate Research Assistantship
in
LIBRARY AND ARCHIVES CONSERVATION 

The University of Kansas (KU) Libraries Preservation Department is
seeking candidates for a three-year position as Graduate Research
Assistant (GRA) in Library and Archives Conservation as part of a KU
Libraries' Preservation Department ongoing commitment to preservation
education and training.

The appointment is modeled after a traditional apprenticeship and
includes a master's degree in Museum Studies and a Graduate Certificate
in Collections Conservation.  The program establishes theoretical
foundations in preservation and conservation and guides the GRA from
beginning lab and program activities to progressively more advanced book
and paper conservation techniques and skills for treating general and
special collections.  The GRA will learn to manage a conservation
laboratory, including planning, maintaining resources, hiring and
supervising employees; evaluating, diagnosing problems, recommending and
undertaking solutions and directing the workflow of damaged materials
through treatment procedures. In addition, the GRA will gain knowledge
and experience working library-wide with preservation activities,
including user education, environmental monitoring, collection surveys,
disaster preparedness and response. The program is structured so that
theoretical foundations and experience will inform and complement
practice.  At the end of the appointment the graduate will be prepared
for work in a professional conservation setting.

The successful applicant for this position will enroll for three years
in the University of Kansas Museum Studies program and serve as a
Graduate Research Assistant (GRA) in Museum Studies, assigned to work in
the KU Libraries' Preservation Department (Stannard Conservation
Laboratory). This three-year program comprises a 42 credit-hour graduate
degree in Museum Studies and a 12 credit-hour certificate in collections
conservation. The Museum Studies degree includes two parts: (1) core
courses in museum studies and (2) disciplinary track courses. (For
Museum Studies program information see http://www.ku.edu/~museumst/).  

Qualifications: 
Bachelor's degree.  Ability to gain acceptance to the Museum Studies
graduate program at the University of Kansas.  Demonstrable interest in
library and archives conservation as a profession, manual dexterity,
evidence of problem-solving ability, concern for cultural heritage
preservation, creativity, and curiosity.  Current and recent graduates
of the University of Kansas Museum Studies program may apply but the
length of appointment will not be shortened, as conservation lab
learning will require a three-year commitment. 

Application Procedures: 
Applicants must provide a personal an essay communicating their interest
in the Graduate Research Assistantship and in the profession of library
and archives conservation; a resume of previous experience and
education; and the names, addresses, and telephone numbers of three
references.  Candidates called for an interview must bring examples of
creative work, bookbinding, and/or conservation treatments to
demonstrate manual dexterity.  

Applications should be sent by July 7, 2006 to: 
Whitney Baker, Conservator 
Watson Library 
1425 Jayhawk Blvd, Room 135 
Lawrence, KS 66045-7544
wbaker@xxxxxx  

The University of Kansas is an Equal Opportunity Employer.  

Applicants not previously admitted to the Museum Studies program should
contact John Simmons, Director of Museum Studies, at jsimmons@xxxxxx or
(785) 864-4508 to facilitate application to that program.

Salary and Appointment:  The Graduate Research Assistant (GRA) will be
admitted to the Department of Museum Studies and will work in the
University of Kansas Libraries' Preservation Department, earning a
biweekly stipend of $1200 with tuition, fees, and student health
insurance covered as part of the appointment.  

The GRA enters the program on a six-month probationary status.  The GRA
will be expected to take 9 credit hours of classes for the fall and
spring terms each year and work 30 hours in the lab.  During the summer,
the GRA will work full-time in the laboratory.

For information about the Preservation Department and Conservation Unit,
see www.lib.ku.edu/preservation.  For more about the Museum Studies
Program, see http://www.ku.edu/~museumst/.