Job Description

Job Description

Job Description

Description

Overview
NOTE: The Library will begin reviewing applications on June 2. 

The mission of The New York Public Library is to inspire lifelong learning, advance knowledge, and strengthen our communities. We rely on three great resources—our staff, our collections, and our physical and digital spaces—to provide opportunities for learning and growth. 

The Special Project Book Conservator position is a two-year term position, located in the Library’s Goldsmith Conservation Lab with a team of conservation staff specializing in bound, flat, and photographic materials. The lab supports the special collections of NYPL’s three research centers and provides conservation assessment, treatment, research, and training to advance the preservation of the collections and meet the conservation needs of the Library’s active acquisitions, exhibition, loan, and digitization programs. 

This two-year term position will focus on conservation treatment of books/bound special collections, and support the Senior Book Conservator who leads this work. While in this position, departmental professional development support will be provided.

Conservation at NYPL consists of two units -- the Goldsmith Conservation Lab and Collections Care, both located at the Library Services Center in Long Island City, Queens -- headed by the Associate Director of Conservation. Conservation at NYPL is a unit of Preservation and Special Collections Processing, responsible for the processing and cataloging, management, and preservation of the Research Libraries collections. This is a 2-year temporary, grant-funded position. Extension beyond the initial term may be possible, but is not guaranteed.

We are looking for someone we can count on to:

Own :

• the work and workload of special collections book conservation treatments, expertly, efficiently, and collaboratively
• the understanding of the Library’s commitment to access and the collaborative work required to inform conservation decision making
• the 2-year term of the position, especially with respect to the adaptability and to the learning curve this limit requires 

Teach :

• Library colleagues on care and handling; rehousing during processing/cataloging
• the Conservation division’s graduate school Interns, Technicians, and Library Pages
• Conservation colleagues in 360 sharing of expertise

Learn:

• from the Conservation division’s graduate school Interns, Technicians, Library Pages, and colleagues
• from colleagues across the Library
• from colleagues and allies beyond the Library

Improve :

• the division’s capacity and potentially workflows, assets, and capabilities

Some expectations for this role are that within:

1 month , this person will:

• stay open minded, keenly observe, and learn the existing workflows for book conservation 
• start treatments  

3 months , this person will:

• have started to develop solid work relationships with coworkers in Conservation and have met key collaborators across the Research Centers for conservation decision making 
• understand and employ the workflows for assessment, movement, and treatment of items

6 months and beyond , this person will:

• be routinely and independently assessing and treating items
• be solidly contributing to the increased capacity of the Conservation Division and possibly helping to improve workflows, assets, and capabilities
• have a general sense of the bound special collections of the three Research Centers

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 
• Supports the Senior Book Conservator to meet the conservation treatment needs generated by the term special project
• Performs other related duties as assigned

Required Education, Experience & Skills

Required Education & Certifications

Graduate degree in Conservation with a focus on rare books/bound special collections or equivalent experience

Required Experience

• 5+ years working experience in a conservation lab after graduate school 
• Demonstrated experience in the conservation treatment of rare books/bound special collections, including of Middle Eastern and Islamic book structures
• Demonstrated experience in conservation considerations for the typical research library use of bound special collections
• Experience with collections emergency response for bound materials

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 special collections in accordance with the AIC Code of Ethics and Guidelines for Practice
• Experience, knowledge, and judgment in special collections conservation work in the context of a research library 
• Flexibility of mind and commitment to collaboration, growth, and improvement
• 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

Managerial/Supervisory Responsibilities

N/A

More...

Core Values
All team members are expected and encouraged to embody the NYPL Core Values:

• Be Helpful to patrons and colleagues
• Be Resourceful in solving problems 
• Be Curious in all aspects of your work
• Be Welcoming and Inclusive

Work Environment

• Conservation lab; office setting; public research library setting

Physical Duties

• Operating equipment (polyester welders, computerized mat/box cutting machine) and exposure to solvents, dust, and mold

Pre-Placement Physical Required?
No

Union/Non Union
Non-Union

FLSA Status
Exempt

Schedule

Full-time, M-F, 35 hours a week

This job description represents the types and levels of responsibilities that will be required of the position and shall not be construed as a declaration of all of the specific duties and responsibilities for the role. Job duties may change if Library priorities change. Employees may be directed to perform job-related tasks other than those specifically presented in this description as needed.

The New York Public Library Salary Statement

At the Library, we believe that pay transparency and pay equity are important to ensuring we source the best candidates and keep the best employees. When making a determination as to the appropriate salary for a candidate, we consider a variety of factors such, including, but not limited to, the position requirements, the skills, prior experience, and educational background required or preferred for the job, the scope and impact of the role within the organization, internal peer equity, and the candidate's specific training, experience, education level, and skills. No single factor is conclusive; the Library reserves the right to consider any and all relevant factors and make a decision consistent with its policies.

Union Salaries are determined by collective bargaining agreement(s).

Job Tags

Full time, Temporary work, Work experience placement,

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