[LIBJOBS] USA -- New York City -- Head of Preservation and Conservation

The New York Academy of Medicine Library seeks qualified candidates for the permanent, full-time position of Head of Preservation and Conservation. Reporting to the Associate Director of the Library, the Head of Preservation and Conservation will provide leadership and direction for all preservation and conservation initiatives in the Library; oversee the work of staff in the Gladys Brooks Book and Paper Conservation Laboratory; and serve on the senior management team of the Library.

 

The Library of The New York Academy of Medicine dates from the Academy’s founding. It opened its collections to the general public in 1878, and remains the only specialized research library in New York City offering access to medical and health information to members of the public. The Library’s collections include over 500,000 volumes—including approximately 32,000 rare books, 275,000 portraits and illustrations, and around 400,000 pamphlets. The collection comprises primary and secondary materials in the history of medicine, public health, science, and other health-related disciplines, as well as an extensive reference collection. The Library supports a number of activities, including two residential research fellowships, an active Friends program, and professional development workshops and meetings.

 

The Gladys Brooks Book and Paper Conservation Laboratory was established in 1982 to care for the collections of the Academy Library. In addition to its preservation and conservation mandate, the Lab plays an important role in training future generations of conservators through its internship and volunteer programs, and offers educational opportunities through professional workshops and lectures.

 

Qualifications:

 

• Ability to lead a preservation or conservation program supporting rare books or special collections;
• Knowledge of current preservation theory and practice, including knowledge of the nature of library and archival materials, as well as the factors leading to their degradation and deterioration, and knowledge of the history of books, bookbinding, and papermaking;
• Experience working with a wide range of conservation and preservation treatments and interventions;
• Ability to initiate and adapt to change, analyze and solve problems, be flexible, and work well collaboratively and collegially in a small, dynamic organizational setting, as well as independently;
• Success in grant-writing;
• Strong planning and organizational skills; excellent interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills; and demonstrated technology skills; 
• Knowledge of digital preservation.

 

Experience and/or Education:

 

·         An MLS degree from an ALA-accredited library program with a focus on preservation and conservation; or a graduate degree in conservation with a specialization in books or paper; or an equivalent combination of experience, education, and training.

• Eight to ten years’ experience working in preservation or conservation supporting the collections of a research library, archives, or similar institution, with three to five years of this experience in management.

 

For the full job posting, please see http://nyam.org/about/careers/head-preservation-and-conservation/ The position will be open until filled, with applications evaluated on a rolling basis.

 

Many thanks.

 

Paul  Theerman

 

Paul Theerman, PhD

Associate Director

Library

Center for the History of Medicine and Public Health

212.822.7350 office

 

The New York Academy of Medicine

LIBRARY

1216 Fifth Avenue | New York, NY 10029

 

NYAM.ORG