Conservateur à la NYAM

Book Conservator

The Center for the History of Medicine and Public Health

Mission

The New York Academy of Medicine advances the health of people in cities. An independent organization since 1847, NYAM addresses the health challenges facing the world's urban populations through interdisciplinary approaches to policy leadership, education, community engagement and innovative research.

Drawing on the expertise of diverse partners worldwide and more than 2,000 elected Fellows from across the professions, our current priorities are
To create environments in cities that support healthy aging
To strengthen systems that prevent disease and promote the public's health
To implement interventions that eliminate health disparities

Summary and Description

The Gladys Brooks Book and Paper Conservation Laboratory seeks qualified candidates for the permanent, full-time position of Book Conservator. The Book Conservator will participate in all activities carried out by the Lab including but not limited to item-level conservation treatment of materials held in both the Rare Book and Historical Collections and main Library; collection-level preservation projects; supervising and training junior staff, interns and volunteers; and planning and participating in outreach and other programs.

Center for the History of Medicine

The New York Academy of Medicine’s Center for the History of Medicine and Public Health promotes the scholarly and public understanding of the history of medicine and public health and the history of the book. The Center aims to develop connections between an interdisciplinary community of scholars, educators, clinicians, curatorial and conservation professionals, and public audiences. The Center is comprised of the main NYAM Library, the Rare Book and Historical Collections and the Gladys Brooks Book and Paper Conservation Laboratory.

The main NYAM Library opened its collections to the general public in 1878, and remains the only specialized research library in NYC offering access to medical and health information for members of the public. The Library has a collection that includes over 500,000 volumes, 275,000 portraits and illustrations and around 400,000 pamphlets. The collection comprises primary and secondary materials in the history of medicine, public health, science and other health-related disciplines. The collection is supported by an extensive reference collection of medical bibliography, biography, biographical dictionaries, dictionaries and library catalogues, as well as books on the history of books and printing.

The Rare Book and Historical Collections include a rare book collection of approximately 35,000 volumes, with manuscripts and archives dating from the 17th century B.C. to the present. Books from the 17th and 18th centuries are a particular area of strength, as are materials related to the history of medicine in the City of New York. The Historical Collections support a number of programs, including two residential fellowships and an annual lecture series.

The Gladys Brooks Book and Paper Conservation Laboratory was established in 1982 for the express purpose of caring for the NYAM collections. In addition to its preservation mandate, the Lab also plays an important role in the training of future generations of conservators through its internship and volunteer programs and offers professional educational opportunities through a robust calendar of workshops and lectures.


The Book Conservator can expect to work closely with colleagues in the Center, including curatorial, reference, cataloging and public services staff, while carrying out Lab activities. Although bench work will be a primary focus of this position, the Book Conservator should be prepared to spend a significant percentage of time collaborating on strategic planning and capital projects until the mission of the Center is fully developed.


Duties and Responsibilities

The Book Conservator will:
• Perform a range of conservation treatments on library materials including, primarily, pre-19th century printed books, bound and unbound manuscripts, photograph albums, prints, pamphlets, broadsides and architectural drawings, while exercising a high degree of judgment in applying established conservation principles and techniques.
• Prepare photographic and written documentation of treatments.
• Participate in collection-level projects, including helping to plan and coordinate capital improvements in library spaces.
• Participate in disaster planning, recovery and environmental monitoring.
• Participate in the administrative duties of the Lab including, but not limited to, ordering supplies, managing the budget, keeping statistics, writing grants and serving on committees and working groups.
• Assist with the training and supervision of junior staff, interns and volunteers.
• Conduct tours, demonstrate techniques and treatments to visitors and NYAM staff and help plan and co-ordinate Lab programs.
• Keep abreast of recent developments in the field and represent the Lab through attendance at conferences and participation in professional organizations.
• Perform other duties as required.

Qualifications

• Graduate degree in conservation with a specialization in books and/or library and archival materials; an MLS degree from an ALA-accredited library program with advanced training in conservation; or an equivalent combination of experience, education and training;
• Demonstrated working knowledge of current conservation theory and practice, as well as the history of books, bookbinding and papermaking;
• Knowledge of a wide range of conservation treatments and experience working with a variety of binding materials;
• Demonstrated ability to recognize the causes of damage to library materials and select and perform appropriate treatments;
• Demonstrated ability to initiate and adapt to change, to analyze and solve problems, to be flexible and work well collaboratively and collegially in a small, but dynamic organizational setting, as well as independently;
• Strong organizational skills, including the ability to establish priorities and achieve goals;
• Demonstrated technology skills, including a familiarity with digital equipment and software;
• Excellent interpersonal, oral and written communication skills.
• Physical ability to undertake collection care duties such as moving books and materials weighing up to 40 lbs., operating lab machinery and working in sometimes dusty and moldy environments.


Experience

• At least five years post-internship bench experience required, preferably in a research library or similar institution.

To Apply

Please email a resume and cover letter to hr@nyam.org. Please include “Book Conservator" in subject line.


For more information, visit our website: www.nyam.org.

The New York Academy of Medicine is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer.