Rare Book and Paper Conservator

Computercraft Corporation; Bethesda (MD); On-site; USD 95,000 - 115,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

401(k) plan with matching

Paid leave—128 hours/year

11 paid holidays

Work-life balance

Job summary

Computercraft is seeking an experienced Rare Book Conservator to support the National Library of Medicine in Bethesda, Maryland. You will repair valuable bound and flat paper materials and prepare items for digital scanning, ensuring stability for researchers.

Responsibilities include writing condition and treatment reports, designing protective enclosures, and training staff. A Bachelor's in library science or related field and at least five years of experience are required, with mold

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in library science, museum studies, or a related field.
• Minimum five years of experience in book and manuscript repair.
• Specialized knowledge in safe use and storage of hazardous chemicals used in conservation work.
• Training in disaster salvage, response, and recovery with mold remediation and PPE.
• Knowledge of conservation treatments including solvents, stain reduction, adhesive removal, and mending.

Responsibilities

• Repair valuable bound and flat paper collections using conservation best practices.
• Design and construct protective enclosures.
• Write accurate condition and treatment reports with photo documentation.
• Lead or participate in staff training and demonstrations for NLM staff and visitors.
• Provide photography services for projects and digital initiatives.
• Perform preservation assessments and surveys of collections.
• Carry out routine maintenance and stamping of volumes as needed.
• Identify lab supplies and assist with order preparation.
• Assist with disaster salvage, recovery, and mold remediation.

Skills

Written communication

Oral communication

Hazardous chemicals handling

Education

Bachelor's degree in library science, museum studies, or related field

Job description

Computercraft is seeking an experienced Rare Book Conservator to support the National Library of Medicine (NLM) at the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, Maryland. NLM maintains a preeminent collection of the world’s published medical literature, including books, journal volumes, pamphlets, and theses, printed from the 15th through the early 21st century; manuscripts ranging in date from the 11th century to the present; fine prints, and other graphic materials from the 15th century to the present; and audio and visual materials.

In this role you will work full-time on site at NLM repairing a variety of valuable and unique bound and selected paper materials in preparation for digital scanning, to ensure that collection items are stable and available for use by researchers, and to prepare items for institutional loans. Treatments include but are not limited to cleaning; removal of adhesives; stain reduction; mending tears and voids; repairing damaged book covers, spines, and text blocks in a variety of leathers and paper; pigment consolidation; iron gall ink stabilization; and mold/mildew remediation.

Job Responsibilities

• Repair a variety of valuable and unique bound and flat paper collections which include but are not limited to books, pamphlets, broadsides, and manuscripts, using current, proven conservation best practices including methods and materials recommended by the American Institute for Conservation
• Design and construct protective enclosures using appropriate material and structures
• Write accurate condition and treatment reports including digital photo documentation for bound and flat paper objects using in-house, online database
• Lead or participate in staff training and demonstration sessions for NLM staff and visitors as needed
• Provide photography services for specific projects and digital initiatives.
• Perform preservation assessments of collections, including surveys
• Carry out regular maintenance of the collection, such as cleaning shelves and objects and applying NLM property stamps and bookplates to volumes
• Identify lab supplies and tools needed and assist with order preparation
• Assist the NLM Collections Conservator with staff training in disaster salvage, recovery, and mold remediation of collections as needed
• Assist with packing objects for shipment offsite for exhibition or digital scanning and inspecting the objects after their return to NLM
• Direct appropriate technician-level tasks, such as construction of enclosures, for assignment to conservation technicians
• Maintain the equipment in the conservation lab
• Assist in the salvage and recovery of affected collections after an emergency

Required Skills/Experience

• Bachelor's degree in library science, museum studies, or a related field
• Minimum of five (5) years of experience in book and manuscript repair
• Specialized knowledge in the safe use and storage of hazardous chemicals used in conservation work
• Training in disaster salvage, response, and recovery, including demonstrated knowledge of mold identification and remediation and the use of personal protective equipment
• 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 making sound decisions concerning conservation treatments
• Good written and oral communication skills
• Ability to obtain a Public Trust Clearance

Desired Skills/Experience

• Experience with Ex Libris Alma

Compensation and Benefits

The anticipated salary range for this position is $95,000-$115,00 annually. The starting salary within this range will be based on relevant experience, qualifications, and skills.

Computercraft offers an excellent benefits package that includes health, dental, vision, and disability and life insurance; a 401(k) plan with matching; paid leave starting at 128 hours/year for the first 3 years of employment; and 11 paid holidays. We also offer the opportunity for a positive work-life balance with a standard 40-hour work week and the chance to work alongside a team of highly accomplished professionals.

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