Book Conservator (Specialist III)

The Book Conservator position is located in the Library's Conservation Division and is part of a team of conservation staff specializing in bound, flat, or photographic materials.

Responsibilities:

• Performs multi-item (batch) and single-item conservation assessment, treatment, and research in accordance with the AIC Code of Ethics and Guidelines for Practice
• Collaborates with colleagues both within and beyond Conservation to achieve the preservation of the collections, especially in the context of exhibitions at the Schomburg Center and the Library's commitment to access
• Maintains a regular on-site visiting schedule at the Schomburg Center to help determine conservation priorities and meet basic book and paper needs, while minimizing unnecessary movement of collections
• Contributes to the development and refinement of the lab's processes, assets, and capabilities
• Participates in the training of conservation interns and technicians
• Promotes professional and public community participation in preservation through outreach
• Performs other related duties as assigned

Key Responsibilities:

• Demonstrated experience in the conservation treatment of bound library materials
• Demonstrated experience in conservation considerations for the typical research library use of special collections, especially conservation workflows/project management in support of exhibitions
• Experience with collections emergency response for bound and loose paper-based materials
• Experience working in a conservation lab after graduate school

Required Skills:

• Strong interpersonal, communication, organizational, and decision-making skills both within and beyond the conservation lab
• Demonstrated ability to carry out efficient conservation treatment of bound paper-based special collections in accordance with the AIC Code of Ethics and Guidelines for Practice
• Basic knowledge of objects, textiles, paintings, and photograph conservation
• Experience, knowledge, and judgment in conservation work supporting the exhibition of library special collections
• Experience or discipline to gain proficiency with the expected computer systems and software used by a conservation lab and by library and cultural heritage institutions
• Fluency with Google Suite

Benefits:

• Core Values: Be Helpful, Be Resourceful, Be Curious, Be Welcoming and Inclusive
• Work Environment: Conservation lab and office setting
• Physical Duties: The position involves lifting boxes of collections up to 10lbs, operating equipment, and exposure to solvents, dust, and mold