UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND LIBRARIES
Date Prepared: September 2006
Division: Technical Services
Classification: Manager
Reports to: Preservation Production Team Leader
Department: Preservation Production Group
*Descriptive Title: Collections Conservator - Conservation Team Leader*
*POSITION SUMMARY:*
Within a team environment, responsible for the planning, implementation,
and administration of the conservation program for the UMD Libraries'
general and special collections. Manages the work of the Conservation
Team. Provides professional expertise in determining the proper course
of treatment for library and archival materials in need of conservation.
Trains and supervises staff and students involved in collections
conservation activities. Executes a wide range of conservation
treatments on paper-based library and archival materials, and arranges
for other professional conservation services that cannot be accomplished
in-house. Serves as a resource to the College Park Campus. Achieves
goals and objectives within an environment of shared responsibility, and
in support of strategic plans and vision. Coordinates and facilitates
inter and intra production team activities, facilitates team
communications, fosters an environment of shared responsibility, and
develops and promotes team plans and vision. As team leader, works
directly with team members to plan, develop and implement ongoing
activities and special projects and establish team goals and objectives.
Provides leadership through active participation on teams and committees
at the production group, division, and Library level and within the
profession.
*ORGANIZATIONAL CHARACTERISTICS:*
Responsible for the administration of the collections conservation
program. Serves on the Preservation Production Group Leadership Team and
serves as a member of TSD coordinating teams and Library functional and
program teams as appropriate. Reports to the Preservation Production
Team Leader. The University of Maryland Libraries promotes a team based,
collaborative, continuous learning environment. Librarians hold faculty
status and contribute to the teaching, service and research mission of
the University.
*PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTABILITIES:*
1. Develops and implements (in consultation with Production Group
Leader) a conservation program designed to meet the
conservation/preservation needs of UM's libraries and archival
collections. Working closely with team members and collection
management colleagues, plans, prioritizes, and accomplishes
treatment goals. As a member of the Preservation Production Group,
contributes to the planning, development, coordination, and
implementation of initiatives within the production group.
2. Provides condition assessment for individual collection items from
both general and special collections. Develops set of treatment
options and specification guidelines in careful consideration of
available resources, collection context, and use patterns.
3. Provides collection-level condition assessments: performs
condition surveys of general and special library collections in
cooperation with other library staff; documents survey results;
and develops broad treatment plans based on size, nature,
condition, and use patterns of the collections.
4. Manages in-house conservation laboratory. Responsible for the
selection of appropriate conservation supplies, tools, and
equipment; maintenance of tools/equipment and establishment of
quality control procedures to verify the adherence of products to
standards. Evaluates and improves efficiencies of workflow while
ensuring accepted conservation-sound practices and safe lab
protocols.
5. In collaboration with the Preservation Production Group Leader,
manages outsourcing of conservation treatments that cannot be
performed in house. Responsible for coordination of projects with
curators and collection managers, selection of professional
services, and authorization of treatment. In collaboration with
Preservation Production Group Leader, maintains the budget and
treatment documentation files.
6. Participates in the creation and evaluation of outsourcing RFPs,
bids, and memos of understanding, such as the commercial library
bindery RFP.
7. Trains staff in specialized conservation procedures, quality
standards, and lab protocols. Evaluates training needs and assists
staff in acquiring the skills, knowledge and competencies needed
to improve job performance.
8. Participates in the evaluation of preservation technologies and in
assessment of their appropriateness for UM Libraries. Maintains a
current awareness of conservation principles and practices as they
apply to library and archival materials, and develops and tests
new treatment procedures and approaches to problem solving.
9. Participates in the development of outreach initiatives for care
of collections and conservation for branch libraries and public
services and address staff training needs. Sets goals and
priorities; develops training tools, plans and directs workflow,
and evaluates progress. Along with others in the Preservation
Production Group, serves as a resource to all library staff
regarding any activities that may have a preservation/conservation
impact.
10. Performs a wide variety of conservation treatments.
11. Performs all required personnel activities such as preparing job
descriptions, interviewing and selecting staff, performance review
and development, merit assessments, discipline etc. Determines
performance deficiencies and designs interventions.
12. Collaborates with other units and colleagues to improve service
and serves on Library teams, committees, and other groups. Is a
member of the Preservation Committee and Salvage Squad.
13. Participates in Library and divisional planning activities.
14. Fulfills "Technical Services' Common Expectations of Staff" and
performs other duties as requested.
*DIMENSIONS:*
Number of Staff Supervised: Direct: 2 FTE
Number of Students Supervised: Direct: 5 FTE
*Formal Leadership:*
Supervisor: participates in the selection process of new employees;
assists with performance appraisals; disciplinary problems are referred
to a higher level. Performs similar and higher level tasks.
*Complexity of Work:*
Complex: Functions differ significantly from each other or a major
function is broad and requires integration of differing complicated
bodies of knowledge. Analytical ability is clearly required.
*Autonomy (Freedom of Action):*
Little Guidance: Performs complex functions, establishes priorities,
resolves issues, rarely refers to supervisors.
*Interactions:*
Primary interactions include all levels of staff within the Production
Group, throughout the division. Outside of the TSD, primary interactions
include subject selectors, collection managers and curators, leaders,
committees, team members and colleagues from other divisions. Other
interactions include members of faculty and staff in other academic
institutions and libraries and in professional associations, outside
vendors and suppliers, students, faculty and staff of the University,
and University officials responsible for occupational health and safety
issues.
*Fiscal Responsibility:*
Collaborates with Preservation Production Group Leader in tracking
outsourced work and supplies and equipment expenditures, and in
monitoring a Labor and Assistance budget for the Conservation Team.
*Physical Working Conditions:*
Normal office environment which also involves the regular use of heavy
equipment, cutting tools, and adhesives. Limited use of solvents.
Occasional library water salvage situations. Exposure to mold and dust.
*MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:*
Academic Level: Advanced degree in conservation of library and archival
materials; or equivalent combination of degrees and experience, with
formal training in conservation and preservation.
Practical Experience: A minimum of two years of experience/training as a
conservator in a recognized conservation facility.
Technical Qualifications or Specialized Certifications: Demonstrated
knowledge of the physical and chemical nature of library and archival
materials; the history of the book and paper making; conservation
ethics, principles and practices and their appropriate application; and
conservation supplies, tools, equipment, vendors, and current technical
standards and specifications.
Other Knowledge, skills, abilities and competencies: Ability to train
and supervise staff, assess their work, plan, organize, and direct work
flow, and plan and organize physical space. Demonstrated management,
supervisory, and leadership skills. Must have ability to manage a broad
variety of tasks in response to varying time pressures with shifting
priorities and changing constraints. Must have the ability to take
direction as well as provide direction and motivation to staff. Evidence
of ability to interact collaboratively and work effectively with teams.
Evidence of strong service orientation; an ability to anticipate
customer needs and seek ways of providing satisfactory solutions.
Ability to interact effectively with a broad variety of staff within and
outside of Technical Services. Excellent interpersonal skills; ability
to communicate clearly, knowledgeably, and personably, orally and in
writing with all persons potentially affected by the scope of the work.
Demonstrated record of professional contribution.
APPLICATIONS: For full consideration, submit cover letter, resume and
names/addresses of three references by October 30, 2006. Applications
accepted until position is filled. Send to: Johnnie Love, Library Human
Resources Office, McKeldin Library, University of Maryland, College
Park, MD 20742-7011. Email applications to: jlove1@umd.edu
<mailto:jlove1@umd.edu> Fax: 301-314-9960. Full job description at:
http://www.lib.umd.edu/PASD/LPO/LibJobs/222.html
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___________________________
Kate Murray
Audiovisual Archivist
Nonprint Media Services Library
University of Maryland
0300 Hornbake Library
College Park, MD 20742-7011
tel: 301 314 3287
fax: 301 314 9419
kmurray@umd.edu