Job ID: 319177
Job Title: Library Associate 2 (Collections Care Specialist)
Job Code: 8416A2
Location: Twin Cities
Empl Group: Civil Service
Regular/Temporary: Regular
Full/Part Time: Full-Time
Qualifications
Required Qualifications:
• Bachelor’s degree and 2 years of related experience; or a combination of related education and work experience to equal six years.
• Experience evaluating materials and storage environments.
• Demonstrated knowledge of physical and chemical mechanisms of deterioration of library and archives materials.
• Demonstrated knowledge of the fundamentals and techniques of book handling, paper treatment, and conservation.
• Physical ability to move books and materials weighing up to 40 lbs.
• Experience performing repairs on library materials.
• Demonstrated sensitivity to the handling of fragile and/or rare materials.
• Ability to work in an environment in which exposure to dust, dirt, and mold is possible.
• Demonstrated technology skills, including proficiency with the Microsoft Office suite of word processing, spreadsheet and database applications.
Preferred Qualifications:
• Minimum of one year experience in book conservation at another institution or practice, under the supervision of a conservator.
• A portfolio of relevant work if selected for interview.
• Demonstrated knowledge of conservation ethics and practices relevant to research library and archival materials; commitment to the American Institute for Conservation’s Code of Ethics and Standards for Practice.
• Experience working in an academic research library.
• Experience managing technicians or students.
• Experience evaluating and treating materials for digital imaging projects.
• Work both independently and as part of a team.
About the Job
Overview:
The University of Minnesota Libraries seeks an innovative and collaborative professional to develop the role of Collections Care Specialist. This position represents a new opportunity to advance efforts to preserve and provide access to distinctive resources across the University of Minnesota Twin-Cities Libraries system.
This position is located within the Collection Management & Preservation Department, which provides strategic stewardship of University of Minnesota Libraries content to ensure continuing access for future generations of users. The department employs cost-effective strategies for managing the lifecycle of content and collections, including stabilizing physical materials to ensure usability, reformatting materials to ensure long-term access to their content, implementing preventative preservation practices throughout the Libraries, and promoting preservation and providing educational opportunities for Libraries staff and users.
Responsibilities:
Reporting to the Director of the Collection Management and Preservation Department, the Collections Care Specialist establishes workflows and initiatives in support of the care the Libraries’ physical collections, including paper-based and audiovisual media. This position also has responsibilities for evaluating and treating distinctive collections materials.
Specific Duties:
1. Coordination and Oversight of Special Collections Care and Treatment (45%)
Provides project management coordination for ongoing preservation and conservation workflows for materials in Archives and Special Collections (ASC) and other special or distinctive collections across the Libraries. Includes tracking incoming and outgoing collections items for the department, monitoring project timelines and budgets, and coordinating with local conservators for outsourced treatments.
Undertakes collection assessments and develops collection assessment tools to identify preservation needs for paper-based and audiovisual media. Develops preservation plans based on assessment data.
Serves as department contact for inquiries related to preservation of physical collections treatment, including water damage, mold, and pest concerns. Evaluates materials and storage environments, and provides technical advice on the housing, storage, handling and repair of special collections. Advises Libraries staff on conservation principles and practices.
Maintains critical working relationships with units and groups that are engaged in preservation and access to print and other physical Libraries materials.
Contributes expertise to the development of a broader preservation program with specific attention toward ensuring use of best practices for environmental monitoring, integrated pest management, and stacks maintenance.
Serves on and contributes expertise to the Collections Emergency Response Team; assists with disaster preparedness and recovery operations following standard procedures.
Develops and contributes expertise to preservation education and outreach programming.
Compiles and analyzes department data, analyzes trends, makes recommendations, and prepares reports as appropriate.
2. Undertakes Physical Treatment of Distinctive Resources. (45%)
Evaluates damaged special collections and other distinctive resources, drafting treatment proposals that identifying and recommending appropriate treatments and specifications .
Applies knowledge and expertise in multiple techniques and tools and uses skills and abilities to adapt techniques and knowledge to solve unique problems. Selects and uses appropriate specialized tools and equipment appropriate for the treatment.
Undertakes intermediate to complex treatments for special collections items in accordance with accepted standards for conservation practice. Treatments applied in combination include but are not limited to conservation rebinding, rebacking and board reattachment; surface cleaning; aqueous washing and alkalization treatments; mending with various papers; lining; backing removal; tape and adhesive removal; matting and encapsulation; and enclosure construction.
Builds complex custom enclosures for special collections items. Designs and makes complex, custom-fit enclosures for fragile objects using supplied materials. These may include custom 4-flap, clamshell or 2-piece boxes, which can be made by hand. Housing may also include matting, framing and encapsulation.
Trains student employees and staff on techniques as appropriate.
3. Student Employee Supervision (10%)
Hire and provide training to student employees
Provide feedback and complete performance reviews for student employees.
Manage student budgets to ensure a balanced budget
Original (full) posting and application information