Book & Manuscript Conservator

computercraft; Bethesda (MD); On-site; USD 60,000 - 70,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Disability insurance

Life insurance

401(k) with match

Paid leave (128 hours/year)

11 paid holidays

40-hour work week

Team of professionals

Job summary

Computercraft is seeking an experienced Library Conservation Technician to repair, rehouse, and conserve a wide range of materials at the National Library of Medicine on the NIH campus in Bethesda, Maryland. This is a full-time onsite role requiring expertise in conservation treatments and protective enclosures.

The position involves collaborating with NLM staff, maintaining treatment records, using Ex Libris Alma, and supporting emergency salvage and mold remediation.

Qualifications

• Minimum of three (3) years of experience in book and manuscript repair and rehousing
• Trained in disaster salvage, response, and recovery of collection materials.
• Subject knowledge and experience using a variety of complex conservation treatments including but not limited to solvents treatments, stain reduction, adhesive removal, loss compensation, mending tears and voids, and flattening of paper collections
• Experience doing re-backs, board, and case repairs to leather, cloth and paper bound items, and experience creating storage enclosures in a variety of formats
• Ability to work independently under tight deadlines
• Ability to make sound decisions concerning conservation treatments
• Good written and oral communication skills
• Ability to obtain Public Trust clearance

Responsibilities

• Repair materials from 19th century to present including books, journals, pamphlets, broadsides and manuscripts.
• Design and construct protective enclosures (including portfolios, phase boxes, and clam shells).
• Carry out regular maintenance of the collection (cleaning shelves, applying stamps).
• Provide photography services for specific projects and digital initiatives.
• Document accurate treatment reports for conserved materials using an in-house, online database.
• Update appropriate work orders using Ex Libris Alma to track items in specific workflows.
• Identify lab supplies and assist with order preparation.
• Lead or participate in staff training and demonstration sessions for NLM staff and visitors as needed.
• Assist in answering conservation related questions and maintaining equipment in the conservation lab.
• Assist in the salvage and recovery of affected collections after an emergency and mold remediation of collections as needed.
• Submit a monthly statistical summary of work accomplished via Microsoft Word or Excel.

Skills

Book repair

Disaster salvage

Conservation treatments

Leather binding

Enclosures design

Independent work

Communication

Public Trust clearance

Education

Conservation certificate/degree

Museum studies degree

Tools

Ex Libris Alma

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Excel

Job description

Computercraft is seeking an experienced Library Conservation Technician to repair, rehouse, and conserve a wide range of materials at the National Library of Medicine on the NIH campus in Bethesda, Maryland. This is a full-time onsite role requiring expertise in conservation treatments and protective enclosures.

The position involves collaborating with NLM staff, maintaining treatment records, using Ex Libris Alma, and supporting emergency salvage and mold remediation.