Rare Book and Paper Conservator
$75,000–$105,000 year
On-site · Bethesda, Maryland, United States
Job Summary
Rare Book and Paper Conservator responsible for specialized conservation treatment and preservation of rare books, manuscripts, pamphlets, broadsides, and archival paper collections in a federal research library setting. Perform treatments per AIC standards, repair bindings and bindings components, design protective enclosures, prepare materials for digitization and institutional loans, document conditions with photography, assist with disaster preparedness and mold remediation, maintain lab equipment, and contribute to training and outreach. Requires advanced technical conservation skills, experience in library/archival conservation laboratories, and ability to independently perform complex treatments. Beneficial to have graduate degree in book/paper conservation and familiarity with NIH/NLM federal procedures.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Conservation, Library Science, Museum Studies, Preservation, Archival Studies, or a related field
- Minimum five (5) years of professional experience performing rare book and manuscript conservation and repair in a library, archives, museum, or cultural heritage institution
- Experience performing complex conservation treatments on paper- and book-based collections
- Experience repairing leather, cloth, and paper-bound materials, including re-backs, board repairs, and case repairs
- Knowledge of conservation-grade materials, tools, and techniques used in preservation and collections care
- Experience preparing accurate written condition reports and treatment documentation with digital photography
- Demonstrated knowledge of disaster response, salvage, recovery, mold identification, and remediation procedures for collections materials
- Knowledge of safe handling, use, storage, and disposal procedures for hazardous chemicals used in conservation treatment activities
- Strong written and verbal communication skills and ability to work independently in a collaborative federal environment
- Ability to obtain and maintain a Public Trust clearance and NIH badge
- Graduate degree specializing in book or paper conservation (preferred)
- Professional membership in the American Institute for Conservation (AIC) (preferred)
- Experience working in a federal library, academic research library, museum, or special collections environment (preferred)
- Familiarity with Ex Libris Alma or other integrated library systems used in special collections environments (preferred)
- Experience supporting digitization and digital preservation initiatives involving fragile materials (preferred)
- Experience creating custom housings and phase boxes for rare and oversized materials (preferred)
- Knowledge of preservation metadata and digital asset documentation practices (preferred)
- Experience training staff or interns in collections care and conservation handling procedures (preferred)
- Familiarity with NIH, NLM, or federal collections handling and security procedures (preferred)
- Experience working with audiovisual, photographic, or mixed-media collections (preferred)
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