Volume 7, Number 5
Nov 1983

Positions Open

Conservation Scientists

• The Smithsonian Institution has several positions open in its Conservation Analytical Laboratory. One is for a Scientist, History of Materials, and another is for a Microanalyst. The Scientist, whose salary will be in the $29,000-$35,000 range, must have considerable experience, with a record of publication in conservation science or in materials science and the technical history of materials. The Microanalyst, whose salary will be around $25,000, is needed to identify materials that come to the Laboratory for treatment or technical examination; these will include textiles, dyes, pigments, corrosion products and adhesives.

  The Conservation Analytical Laboratory, by the way, is now located in its new facilities in Silver Hill, Maryland, east of Washington, DC.

• The SUNY Buffalo Department of Conservation (formerly known as "Cooperstown") is looking for a physical scientist or scientist-art conservator to teach conservation science to about 20 MA degree candidates in art conservation, beginning September 1984. No salary mentioned.

Preservation Interns

• Columbia University. This is a one-year position funded by a grant from the Mellon Foundation to support research-library preservation programs nationally. Four other institutions have also received preservation intern grants from the Mellon Foundation: Library of Congress, New York Public Library, Stanford University Libraries, and Yale University Libraries.

  The intern will report to the Head of the Preservation Department and, after orientation in the Preservation Department, will be assigned to one or more departmental libraries, which will be chosen in consultation with the Library Services Group. Every effort will be made to assign the intern to subject areas of individual interest. The primary responsibilities will involve surveying the condition of specific collections, monitoring environmental conditions, assessing current preservation procedures and determining needs in order to design a practical preservation program, and preparing a proposal for the funding of any identified special needs. The intern will have the opportunity to participate in planning sessions, policy discussions, and other library-wide preservation activities.

  In addition to an accredited MLS, requirements are knowledge of preservation practices and demonstrated expertise in executing conservation procedures and techniques, as demonstrated through previous relevant experience and/or successful completion of a formal program in the conservation of research library materials. A working knowledge of one Romance and one Germanic language is desirable.

  Submit resume, listing three references and salary requirements, to: Box 35, Butler Library, Columbia University Libraries, 535 West 114th St., New York, NY 10027. External applicants should list three references and salary requirements. Annual salary: $18,500. This is a 12-month position, available on or about January 1, 1984. Deadline for applications is November 30, 1983. An affirmative action/equal opportunity employer.

• Yale University. The deadline for application for this position is now past (October 14) but two similar positions will open at Yale in the next year or two. The announcement reads in part as follows:

  [This is] an 11-month position in the field of preservation administration supported by a grant from the Andrew Mellon Foundation. This is the first of three such positions at the Yale University Library. The Intern will be responsible to the Head Librarian, Preservation Department, and will be acting as Assistant to the Head, carrying out special projects, learning techniques and routines of the local program in Preservation Conservation and Preparations. The Intern will also work independently, after a short training period, on a specific preservation project where past training and experience may be applied. The emphasis will be on preservation administration, and a large part of the job nay be concerned with the day-to-day operation of the preservation program.

  Qualifications: 1) MLS degree. 2) Training in preservation administration and hands-on conservation techniques. Formal training preferred. 3) Some experience in preservation administration and conservation techniques desirable. Experience in a research library preferred.

  Salary: $18,000 (includes one month vacation pay at completion of 11-month project).

BOOKBINDER
Harcourt Bindery, Boston

The Harcourt Bindery (9-11 Harcourt St., Boston, NA 02116, 617/536-5755) is looking for a binder with some experience, wanting to learn production-oriented techniques of hand and leather binding. Resumes welcome; salary commensurate with experience. This is not a conservation position and would be mostly restricted to the forwarding processes in the Bindery.

Position Sought

Helen Shenton writes from England that she is looking for work in the conservation of vellum artefacts, preferably abroad. Her address is The Old Vicarage, Privett, Near Alton, Hamphire, GU34 3PE, England. Her resume reads, in part:

Born 1958. Education and training: 1976-79, University College, London, BA honours degree in English literature; 1980-81, London College of Printing, Certificate in Craft Bookbinding and Book Restoration; January 1982 to date, assistant bookbinder at Roger Powell Bindery (on a Crafts Council grant).

Course work included German case bindings, yapp- edged binding, compensating section binding, 1/4 vellum binding, multi-section return guard binding, full leather and full transparent vellum bindings, as well as all the standard techniques. Work at the Powell Bindery has included a great variety of projects, involving, for example, deacidifying, use of enzymes, mending and softening of vellum, wooden boards, scroll cases and limp vellum.

Experience in lecturing (Society of Archivists' Conference, 1983), demonstrating; has travelled, visited and worked abroad.

The full resume is at the Newsletter office. Contact Ms. Shenton or the office for details.