Rare Book 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

Disability and life insurance

401(k) with matching

Paid leave (128 hours/year) for first

11 paid holidays

40-hour work week

Job summary

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

Duties include cleaning, mending, pigment consolidation, and mold remediation, with emphasis on documentation. You will lead conservation efforts, train staff, and assist with packing and offsite projects.

Qualifications

• 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 safe use and storage of hazardous chemicals used in conservation work.
• Disaster salvage, response, and recovery training with mold identification and remediation PPE.

Responsibilities

• Repair a variety of valuable bound and flat paper collections using conservation best practices.
• Design and construct protective enclosures.
• Write condition and treatment reports with digital 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 routine maintenance of the collection.
• Identify lab supplies and assist with orders; assist with offsite packing and returns.
• Direct technician tasks and maintain conservation lab equipment.
• Assist in salvage and recovery after emergencies.

Skills

Conservation treatments

Mold remediation

Hazardous chemicals handling

Condition reports

Training staff

Independent work under deadlines

Communication skills

Public Trust Clearance

Education

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

Tools

Ex Libris Alma

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.

EEO Employer – Disability/Veteran/Race/Color/Religion/Sex/National Origin/Genetic Information