Wednesday, December 16, 2015

Looking for Adventure?

Now for something completely different: Oxford University (yes, that Oxford) has an opening for a book conservator. It's full-time but temporary--one year, no dates, but I assume it's the coming academic year. 
Application deadline is Jan 18, 2016. You can find the particulars at:
http://www.jobs.ac.uk/job/AMQ240/book-conservator/


Tuesday, November 17, 2015

Job Posting:Iowa State University, Ames, IA

The Iowa State University Library is seeking qualified candidates for a
Preservation Services Manager (Professional & Scientific, Library Associate I).
This position manages the preservation department’s preservation services unit which consists of commercial library binding, preservation microfilming,preservation reformatting, digitization of flat and 3D materials, and digital
conversion of audio-visual materials, custom-fit enclosures, massde-acidification, shelf preparation, and serial collation.

Responsibilities include managing and developing digital conversion projects, establishing technical specifications, budgets and priorities, implementing timelines, and tracking progress for projects. This position will work directly with curators to determine digital conversion priorities, provide information based on vendor capabilities, condition and obsolescence of formats.  Maintains, calibrates digital conversion equipment. Develops, maintains and implements procedures and training manuals.  Communicates with other library departments and vendors; surveys collections for condition assessment; identifies areas of the collection for boxing, reformatting, or de-acidification; tracks budgets and expenditures ($100,000), plans and manages student budgets; and maintains statistics for reporting to library administration and national organizations. This position reports to the Head of Preservation and supervises full-time staff as well as student employees.

The successful candidate will possess the ability to interact effectively with library staff and the university community. Has the ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a rapidly changing team-based environment. Ability to formulate and implement innovative approaches and solutions to problems, communicate complex ideas to a wide range of audiences, and to speak and write clearly, concisely, and persuasively. Exceptional organizational, analytical, and interpersonal communication, time and project management skills, and a strong commitment to customer service will be essential for success in
this position.
This position will perform physical activities associated with preservation environments which includes regular lifting of up to 40lbs. and moving loaded
book trucks weighing up to 300 lbs. This position also responds to disaster salvage of library materials. 

Required qualifications:
Bachelor’s degree and 1 year of experience
Experience in preservation project management and/or digital conversion
project management experience.

Preferred Education and Experience: 
Experience or knowledge of preservation standards and best practices.
Experience working with university archives, or similar records.
Experience with digital technology and digital capture hardware and software.
Experience with budget development, and tracking budgets and expenditures.
Database, spreadsheet, and project management software experience.
Experience supervising and managing collaborative teams.

To Apply:
http://www.iastatejobs.com/postings/15446
Click on the link above to access the job posting and then click Apply for this
Job.
To guarantee consideration, apply by 12/01/2015.
Iowa State University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, marital status, disability, or protected veteran status, and will not be discriminated against. Inquires can be directed to the Director of Equal Opportunity, 2250 Beardshear Hall, (515) 294-7612.


Hilary T. Seo
Associate Professor
Head of Preservation & Digital Initiatives                             
Iowa State University                               
441 Parks Library                                        
Ames, IA  50011
515.294.3540  voice
515.294.5525 fax

Friday, October 2, 2015

Medieval accordion books

Accordion books are gaining popularity among book artists these days. This blog post shows some fascinating examples of the form from medieval times:

http://medievalbooks.nl/2015/10/02/the-incredible-expandable-book/

It's interesting that they were used often for almanacs, calendars, and other handy references.
The blog, medievalbooks, from the Netherlands, looks well worth following.

Tuesday, September 22, 2015

Non-adhesive Phase Box

I ran across this blog from West Dean College in the UK that describes how to make a phase box without using adhesives. It looks simple and elegant, and perfect for a few items in my collection. Check it out:

http://westdeanconservation.com

Let us know what you think.

Thursday, July 23, 2015

Assistant Conservator opening, Dartmouth College

[Note: Summer seems to be the time for a lot of openings in libraries to be announced. I'll try to keep an eye out and post them as soon as I find them.
-Al B.]


Assistant ConservatorDartmouth College Library



Dartmouth College Library is seeking a collaborative and proactive Assistant Conservator to become an integral part of Preservation Services in support of their mission to conserve the Libraries' physical collections.  In coordination with the Libraries' Collections Conservator, the Assistant Conservator assists in the management of the daily workflow and production in the Conservation Lab.  The Assistant Conservator will perform conservation treatments on rare and special collection material ranging from simple to complex; develop and implement procedures and guidelines to manage work flow for material involved in digital production projects; assist in training practicum students and conservation interns; assist as consultant in exhibit preparedness for library materials; assist in the management of the environmental monitoring program; and is a member of the disaster recovery team.

RESPONSIBILITIES: Performs conservation treatment on rare and unique library materials, generally those requiring individual treatment. Materials include: books, manuscripts, albums, maps, and other flat work.

Digital liaison for collection treatment workflow; accountable for treatments, developing and overseeing conservation workflow for all material needing treatment before and/or after digitizing; plans and coordinates projects with Collections Conservator, Special Collections staff, and the digital production team.

RANK AND SALARY: Salary is commensurate with experience and qualifications.  Full benefits package including 22 vacation days; comprehensive health care; retirement plans, including TIAA-CREF; and relocation assistance.

QUALIFICATIONS: Extensive knowledge of current conservation principles, practices and procedures as they pertain to the treatment of library materials. Developed skills in the examination, evaluation, treatment of special collections and archival material. Knowledge of bookbinding history and book structure. Ability to work independently and as part of a team. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to work effectively with others. Ability to impart knowledge to others. Commitment to diversity and to serving the needs of a diverse community. Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience. Certificate in book conservation or equivalent bench experience preferably in an academic library.

GENERAL INFORMATION: Founded in 1769 and located in scenic Hanover, New Hampshire, Dartmouth is a private, four-year, coeducational undergraduate college with graduate schools of business, engineering and medicine and 16 graduate programs in the arts and sciences. Dartmouth's mission is to educate the most promising students and to prepare them for a lifetime of learning and of responsible leadership, through a faculty dedicated to teaching and the creation of knowledge. At the heart of Dartmouth College is one of the oldest research libraries in the United States. Nine libraries distributed across various academic centers, house the 3 million volume collection and provide access to a rich array of digital resources supported by a technically robust network environment. The Library's mission is to foster intellectual growth and advance the teaching and research missions of the College by supporting excellence and innovation in education and research, managing and delivering scholarly content, and partnering in the development and dissemination of new scholarship.

APPLICATION: Review of applications will begin as of August 24, 2015 and will continue until the position is filled. Applicants chosen for an onsite interview will be expected to bring a portfolio of work. For the complete job description and to apply online go to: http://jobs.dartmouth.edu and reference position # 0111201.

For questions please contact:
Deborah Howe
Collections Conservator
6025 Baker Berry Library
Hanover. NH 03755
Deborah.howe@dartmouth.edu<mailto:Deborah.howe@dartmouth.edu>
603-646-0712

Dartmouth College is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and has a strong commitment to diversity. Women, persons of color, persons with disabilities, and veterans are encouraged to apply.

Monday, May 18, 2015

Job Opening: Sr. Conservation Specialist (Cincinnati, OH)

The Preservation Lab, a collaboration between the University of Cincinnati and the Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County, is pleased to announce the following position. This position works in a team environment preserving the collections of the two parent institutions. The Preservation Lab is on the west campus of the University of Cincinnati.

General Description


The University of Cincinnati Libraries seeks a collaborative, motivated, and skilled individual to preserve and conserve the cultural heritage materials, primarily book and paper, of the two cooperating institutions. The primary responsibilities of the Senior Conservation Technician include conservation treatment of special collections/medium rare materials, exhibition preparation, and special conservation projects. 
The lab is an open, hybrid lab environment with a staff of seven, as well as students and volunteers. It is located on the campus of the University of Cincinnati, and is a collaborative lab that is jointly managed, staffed, and funded by both UC Libraries and the Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County (PLCH).

To apply:

https://jobs.uc.edu/job/Cincinnati-Sr-Library-Conservation-Specialist-OH-45
201/263760000/
Please apply by the close of the work day on June 8th, 2015.

Ashleigh N. Schieszer
Book and Paper Conservator, Lab Manager
Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County
Ph: (513) 556-4289
Located at The University of Cincinnati Libraries
2911 Woodside Dr.
PO Box 210033
Cincinnati, OH 45221-0033

Friday, May 8, 2015

Book arts instructor for art summer camp

From Buck's Rock Performing and Creative Arts Camp, New Milford CT:

We are immediately seeking a Bookarts instructor for our summer arts program
in New Milford, CT for campers ages 10-16. Candidates must be 21 years or
older. Dates are June 25-Augsut 24, 2015 and the salary is $2000 including
room/board/extras. Candidates should contact Mickey at 800-636-5218 or
mickey@bucksrockcamp.com

We would be grateful for any leads or ideas. Thank you!

Laura Morris

Buck's Rock Performing and Creative Arts Camp
Mickey and Laura Morris
Directors

59 Buck's Rock Road
New Milford, Ct. 06776
Email: mickey@bucksrockcamp.com 
Website: www.bucksrockcamp.com
Tel. 860.354.5030
Fax 860.354.1355

Wednesday, May 6, 2015

Conservator Opening at Princeton U.

Princeton University Library is seeking an experienced rare books conservator

to join our Preservation Department and help shape the direction of its
conservation program.  I welcome the opportunity to meet with anyone
interested in or simply curious about the position at the upcoming AIC
meeting. Please seek me out while there, or contact me via email
(mg17@princeton.edu) in advance of the meeting to make arrangements to get together.

Many of you are already familiar with the breadth and depth of Princeton’s collections which include printed books and manuscripts from across a wide spectrum of traditions and time periods. The conservator working with these collections will find many rewards.

Treatment is the primary focus of the position. However, it’s also important to us that the post holder is involved with the field as a whole, is thoughtful about the forces shaping it, and its future direction. We seek someone who is interested in engaging these questions on a local level to help ensure that the Preservation Office is responding to the needs of the Library, Princeton University, and the current field at large.

The Rare Books Conservator reports to the Head, Library Preservation.  The complete position description may be found at the “Jobs at Princeton” website:
<http://www.princeton.edu/jobs>. The requisition number is: 1400414.

Inquiries are most welcome. Nominations are also gratefully accepted.
Applications will only be accepted at “Jobs at Princeton” and the position will remain open until filled.

Sincerely,

Maria

Maria Grandinette
Head, Library Preservation
Princeton University Library
1 Washington Road
Princeton, New Jersey  08544
609-258-5946

Tuesday, April 7, 2015

Exhibition of Contemporary Bindings of Private Press Books at Bonhams, New York

InsideOUT: An exhibition of Contemporary Bindings of Private Press Books from both sides of the Atlantic

Concurrent with the NYC Rare Book Week, Bohnams is presenting an exhibition of fine bindings. Bookbinders from the US and UK bound texts from a selection provided by private presses. This should be an impressive display of the bookbinder's art.

April 10--17 2015
at Bonhams
580 Madison Ave.
New York NY 10022
Tel:  212 644 9001

Details:  https://www.bonhams.com/events/18920



Wednesday, April 1, 2015

Call for Applications, Artist in Residence at Jaffe Center

Jaffe Center for Book Arts at Florida Atlantic University's Wimberly LibraryBoca Raton, Florida


The Helen M. Salzberg Artist In Residence Program

Applications for the Fall 2015 residency are being accepted through June 15, 2015

The Helen M. Salzberg Artist in Residence Program funds two working residencies for artists each academic year at the Jaffe Center for Book Arts, in the fall and spring semesters. Artists working in the book arts (and other media, too, as long as the creative project can be thought of as book arts related) are encouraged to apply for this prestigious and competitive award. We accept applications from artists from all over the world.

Poet and artist Helen M. Salzberg established the Salzberg AIR Program in 2011. Income from this endowed fund enables artists working in the book arts to come to the Jaffe Center on a semester basis to work and teach at the center. While here, the artist will produce a creative project using JCBA studios and also teach a workshop for FAU students and the general public and mentor FAU students as his or her schedule allows. The Salzberg AIR Program gives our students the opportunity to work alongside highly talented and creative book artists.  

The next Salzberg Artist in Residence for which we will be accepting applications is Fall 2015. The residency period is for the Fall Semester, which runs mid August through early December. AIRs are not required to be at the Jaffe Center for Book Arts for the duration of the semester. However, we do require each resident to complete his or her creative project, teach the resident's workshop, and vacate the studios by the end of the semester. The Fall 2015 Salzberg AIR will receive a stipend of $3,000.

Meet our previous Salzberg AIRs and find the application for the Fall 2015 residency at our website:
<http://www.library.fau.edu/depts/spc/JaffeCenter/AIR.php>


John Cutrone, Director
JCBA: Jaffe Center for Book Arts
Florida Atlantic University Wimberly Library
777 Glades Road
Boca Raton, Florida 33431

www.jaffecollection.org
www.facebook.com/jaffecenterforbookarts

Tuesday, February 24, 2015

Call for Entries, Hamilton Wood Type & Printing Museum


The Hamilton Wood Type & Printing Museum in Two Rivers, Wisconsin has announced its first juried exhibition, New Impressions in American Letterpress. Open to all traditional and non-traditional printmaking arts media. The call is broad, and includes innovative approaches to print media.
Certainly there are PCB members who have something interesting to submit. In any case, the museum is well worth a visit, as is Wisconsin in May.

Summary

Entry submission date: March 31, 2015
Entry fee: $25 for up to three entries

Details

See http://woodtype.org/connect/newimpressions


Wednesday, February 4, 2015

Conservation Post, University of Kansas


Assistant Conservator for Special Collections,University of Kansas

Conservation Services at the University of Kansas (Lawrence, KS) seeks
applicants for the position of Assistant Conservator for Special Collections

Application deadline: February 23, 2015
Apply at: <https://employment.ku.edu/staff/2712BR>

Departmental Program Summary

The Conservation Services Department provides leadership, coordination,
expertise, and services within a comprehensive, system-wide program to preserve
KU Libraries' paper-based collections.

Position Summary

The Assistant Conservator for Special Collections will serve a central role in
the Stannard Conservation Laboratory with primary responsibility for special
collections held by Kenneth Spencer Research Library. This position, under the
direct supervision of the Head of Conservation Services, helps manage and
undertake a range of mission-critical daily operations of the Stannard
Conservation Laboratory including: evaluating damaged collections; making
treatment decisions and performing conservation treatments on special
collections materials; providing exhibition preparation and support; undertaking
conservation assessments and surveys; and participating in emergency
preparedness and response operations.

Position Description

Conservation treatment—70%

Drafts treatment proposals and specifications, and provides basic time estimates
for work to be undertaken, for rare books, manuscripts, archival materials, and
other paper-based library collections.
Performs highly complex conservation tasks that require knowledge and expertise
in multiple techniques to solve unique problems. Treatments applied in
combination include but are not limited to conservation rebinding, rebacking and
board reattachment; surface cleaning; aqueous washing and alkalization
treatments; mending with various papers; lining; backing removal; tape and
adhesive removal; matting and encapsulation; and enclosure construction.
Carries out proposed treatments and repairs to library and archival materials
with minimal supervision and in accordance with accepted standards for
conservation practice.
Documents treatments using a range of written and photographic techniques
according to accepted standards for conservation practice.
Selects and uses appropriate specialized tools and equipment appropriate for the
treatment, including, but not limited to: hand tools, book presses, board shear,
guillotine, ultrasonic welder, and suction table; may also perform maintenance
on this equipment.
Designs and constructs both simple and complex, custom-fitting enclosures for
fragile materials bearing in mind the unique needs of those formats and their
chemical interactions with the materials available for construction.
Assists in the preparation of library materials for exhibition. Fabricates
simple and complex mounts. Assists with installation and de-installation.

Project management—15%

Develops and implements workflows for conservation projects.
Assists in training staff, students, interns, and volunteers, as necessary.
Provides technical advice on the housing, storage, handling and repair of
special collections.
Advises library staff on conservation principles and practices.

Departmental responsibilities—15%

Serves on the Collections Emergency Response Team and assists with disaster
preparedness and recovery operations following standard procedures.
Undertakes collection surveys to assess condition and prioritize conservation
treatments, as necessary.
Assists with preventive programs such as environmental monitoring and pest
management as needed.
Stays current with developments in the field of library and archives
conservation.
Prepares, conducts, and participates in staff and public outreach and education
efforts.
Participates in departmental meetings and planning activities, including
departmental goal-setting.
Compiles statistics and prepares reports as appropriate.
Assists with equipping the conservation laboratories to meet current and
anticipated future treatment needs. May order supplies, tools, and equipment as
needed.
Participates in the broader work of KU Libraries by serving on committees,
working groups, and task forces as appropriate.
Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Required:
B.A. degree
1 year relevant experience, including training in book or paper conservation.

Preferred:
M.A. degree from a recognized conservation training program or related field, or
demonstration of a similar level of education and training required for the
conservation of rare materials.
A portfolio of relevant work if selected for interview
Demonstrated knowledge of physical and chemical mechanisms of deterioration of
library and archives materials.
Demonstrated knowledge of the fundamentals, techniques, and history of book-
binding, paper treatment, and conservation.
Demonstrated knowledge of conservation ethics and practices relevant to research
library and archival materials; commitment to the American Institute for
Conservation’s Code of Ethics and Standards for Practice.
Excellent manual dexterity and sustained concentration with delicate and
occasionally repetitive tasks.
Basic computer skills including word processing and use of spreadsheets.

Competency in Adobe Photoshop and InDesign.
Experience working in an academic research library.
Experience managing conservation technicians or students.
Experience evaluating and treating materials for digital imaging projects.
Experience in exhibit preparation.
Demonstrated record of continuing education in conservation through workshops,
lectures, and conference attendance.
Ability to communicate effectively about treatment options and decisions.
Demonstrated ability to work independently.
Effective organizational skills.

For more information on Spencer Research Library’s collections, see:
http://spencer.lib.ku.edu/

Whitney Baker
Head, Conservation Services / Librarian
University of Kansas Libraries
1425 Jayhawk Blvd., #135
Lawrence, KS 66045
785-864-3568
<http://lib.ku.edu/conservation/>
<http://blogs.lib.ku.edu/spencer/>

Tuesday, January 6, 2015

PCB Artists Working Group

Works in Progress

The impromptu theme of the first Artists Working Group meeting of the new year was works in progress. Susan Viguers, Ananda Connoly, Karen Lightner, and I showed things we've been working on and traded ideas and suggestions. 
Here are some pictures of the group in action.




Susan commented, "Those of us who have come have been finding it very useful--both as a deadline to get something done and to get feedback on just about anything—on a project that may even be in a pre-sketch stage or one quite far along." It's also fun to see what others are up to.
Anyone is welcome to join in. The next meeting is scheduled for Feb. 8 at 1 pm (location tbd). Sign up vie the PCB web site.