Conservation Librarian
Howard-Tilton Memorial Library, Tulane University
Howard-Tilton Memorial Library invites applications for the position of Conservation Librarian. The library seeks to build its professional staff by recruiting talented, energetic librarians interested in shaping the future of Tulane University and New Orleans.
Position Summary
Reporting to the Director, Technical Services Division, the Conservation Librarian is responsible for collaborating with various librarians and staff to identify, assess and inventory the conservation needs of library materials and ensure their appropriate treatment. They identify conservation priorities, develops plans, estimates necessary resources, and manages a workflow that appropriately leads to conservation or withdrawal of materials based on condition and other criteria. They identify and work with outside conservation vendors to provide appropriate treatments to at‐risk materials, negotiates costs and timelines, ensures proper handling, and monitors vendor performance. Supervises staff assigned to stacks management and binding. Trains staff in basic in‐house repair. Performs some intermediate conservation of materials. Performs environmental monitoring and assessment for all buildings housing library collections. Actively pursues and administers grant proposals for conservation or preservation matters. Trains staff in recovery methods for damaged materials. Serves as a resource for conservation and preservation questions. Plays a leading role on the library’s emergency recovery team. Monitors and orders disaster and conservation supplies and equipment. Actively participates in professional and scholarly associations to acquire new knowledge, update skills, and keep abreast of emerging trends and issues in preservation and conservation.
Qualifications
Required
An ALA-accredited master’s degree in library and information science with an emphasis in preservation or conservation and 3-5 years’ experience working in a research or academic library OR an advanced degree in conservation or materials science and 3-5 years’ experience working in a research or academic library in preservation/conservation. Experience working in a research library, special collections or archives environment. Demonstrated formal training and experience in book and paper conservation techniques. Knowledge of book and paper preservation, standards, ethics, and current trends in the field. Knowledge of conservation principles, techniques, and procedures as relating to a wide variety of materials. Experience with staff supervision and project management. Grant application experience and grant oversight experience. Strong leadership, organization, problem solving and analytic skills. Ability to work independently and with others. Experience developing, designing and/or carrying out condition surveys and conservation needs assessments. Ability to meet Level1 Core Competencies as defined here: http://library.tulane.edu/sites/library.tulane.edu/files/documents/core_technology_competencies.pdf
Salary/Benefits
Salary is commensurate with qualifications and experience. Librarians are academic appointees; librarians do not have tenure or faculty rank, but in other respects receive the benefits of faculty members. Competitive benefits include a choice of health plans, tuition waiver for self, professional development and travel support, and undergraduate tuition waiver for dependents.
Environment Tulane University is an AAU/Carnegie Research Institution and ranked by U.S. News and World Report among the top fifty national universities in the United States. The university is located in beautiful uptown New Orleans, where it borders the historic St. Charles Avenue streetcar line and Audubon Park. Howard-Tilton Memorial Library is the University's main library with an ARL research collection of more than four million titles.
To Apply. To apply for this position please go to Tulane Jobs IRC11747.
To ensure full consideration, applicants must submit a letter of application, resume, and the names with full contact information of three or more professional references. Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until a suitable candidate is selected.
Tulane University is an AA/EO Employer. Women and minorities are encouraged to apply.
Tulane is an EOE/M/F/Vet/Disabled employer.