Lead Preservation Librarian - Rare Medical Collections

UAB group; Birmingham (AL); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

The Preservation Librarian at Reynolds-Finley Historical Library, a faculty, 12-month appointment at UAB, leads a comprehensive preservation program to safeguard rare medical and historical materials. Responsibilities include preventive care, environmental monitoring, IPM, conservation and repair, and coordination of digitization and digital preservation.

The role supports exhibitions, research access, and general collections preservation for UAB Libraries, partnering with curators, archivists,

Qualifications

• Accredited master’s degree in library or information science, conservation, museum or archival studies, or related advanced degree.
• Experience applying preservation principles, including environmental monitoring, IPM, handling/storage standards, and stacks maintenance.
• Experience in policy development related to preservation issues in libraries.
• Ability to function in a team environment and as an individual contributor.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Excellent written, oral, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Ability to lift and move boxes weighing up to 40 pounds and retrieve material from shelving units.

Responsibilities

• Create and maintain preservation policies, priorities, and workflows for multi-format collections.
• Lead and/or represent preservation conversations on committees and working groups.
• Coordinate preservation activities with other libraries and archives.
• Manage environmental monitoring, IPM, stacks maintenance, and storage/handling standards.
• Lead disaster preparedness and emergency response training for RFHL; coordinate across units.

Skills

Master's degree-related expertise

Team collaboration

Organizational skills

Communication skills

Physical ability

Education

Accredited master’s degree in library or information science or related field

Tools

Digitization workflows

Job description

The Preservation Librarian at Reynolds-Finley Historical Library, a faculty, 12-month appointment at UAB, leads a comprehensive preservation program to safeguard rare medical and historical materials. Responsibilities include preventive care, environmental monitoring, IPM, conservation and repair, and coordination of digitization and digital preservation.

The role supports exhibitions, research access, and general collections preservation for UAB Libraries, partnering with curators, archivists,