Assistant Conservator – Dartmouth Libraries
Listing Start Date: December 18, 2024
Expires: February 18, 2025
Working in coordination with Dartmouth Libraries’ Collections Conservator, the Assistant Conservator works to support the daily workflows and operations of the Conservation Lab through the ongoing consultation, documentation, and completion of conservation treatments for circulating, non-circulating, and special collections material. While the Assistant Conservator primarily performs treatments on printed books and bound manuscripts, as a conservation professional, they also have opportunities to work with different formats (e.g three-dimensional and multimedia objects) and on collaborative, interdepartmental special projects. The Assistant Conservator serves an essential voice in planning for the future of the conservation program at Dartmouth Libraries and works to create and foster a supportive learning culture, and to embed diversity, equity, and inclusion policies and practices into work whenever applicable.
This position is in-person, on-site at Baker-Berry Library. It may involve exposure to dust and mold or the use of organic solvents.
Requirements
Three years of relevant experience working in an academic library or conservation lab.
Knowledge of current conservation principles, practices, and procedures as they pertain to the treatment of library materials, including documentation practices set forth by the American Institute of Conservation (AIC).
Demonstrated knowledge of bookbinding history and book structure.
Developed skills in the examination, evaluation, and treatment of rare books, special collections, and archival material.
Manual dexterity and ability to operate and maintain bookbinding tools and equipment. Must be able to work with leather and bookbinding materials.
Familiarity with digital photography/digitization workflows, Microsoft programs, Airtable, and Lightroom.
Must be able to lift boxes of up to 50lbs.
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to work effectively with others.