Job Opportunity: Project Paper Conservator
Project Paper Conservator
Six Month Grant Funded Term Position
Indiana State Library
Overview:
The Indiana State Library was very excited to receive a grant from the Nicholas Noyes Foundation to fund a six-month conservation project to treat some of the most important 19th century wall maps in the ISL’s Indiana Division. The project conservator will work in the Indiana State Library’s Conservation Lab, under the supervision of the Staff Conservator, to stabilize and treat these rare maps. The maps selected for this project will be mid-19th century state and county varnished wall maps that are integral to the history of Indiana. For many of the maps selected, the Indiana State Library holds the last existing copy.
Compensation:
This is a grant funded project with a fixed salary of $30,000 for a six-month term. Start date is flexible but should be no later than March 1st, 2023.
NEW AND RECENT GRADUATES ARE WELCOME AND ENCOURAGED TO APPLY.
This is a contract position and is not eligible for retirement or medical benefits.
The conservator will receive up to 10 days of paid time off that must be used by the conclusion of the project.
The standard work week is 37.5 hours. The standard Indiana State workday is between 7:30am to 6pm. Workday scheduling during the standard workday hours can be flexible, as long as the weekly total of 37.5 hours is met.
About The Indiana State Library:
The Indiana State Library was established by an act of legislation in 1825 and today is the primary public institutional custodian of paper-based objects related to the history of the State of Indiana and a significant part of the history of the Ohio River Valley, including the Northwest Territory. The Indiana State Library provides citizens of the state those specialized library services not generally appropriate, economical, or available in other libraries of the state.
Throughout its history, the Indiana State Library has developed strong collections in the fields of Indiana history and culture, Indiana state government and United States government publications, Indiana newspapers, genealogy and family history resources on Indiana and the eastern United States, Braille, large print, and books on tape for the visually impaired, library science, and American history, politics, and economics. Its collections in these areas support research by state agency employees, scholars, genealogists, librarians, students, Indiana residents who are blind or have physical disabilities, and the public.
A distinct Indiana collection was part of the Indiana State Library as early as 1903. The Indiana Division of the Indiana State Library has collected materials to create one of the most comprehensive collections of historical and current materials on all aspects of Indiana in existence today. Strengths of the collections of the Indiana Division include state documents, newspapers, pamphlets, printed histories, directories, clipping files, periodicals, and maps.
Within the Indiana State Library holding’s is a rare map collection comprised of over 11,000 maps and an extensive collection of 19th and 20th Century plat books, a large portion of which are held nowhere else. The historical importance of this collection cannot be overstated. The maps in the collection represent state, city, county, and regional subjects. Roads, rivers, property owners, populations, businesses, and communities are some of the vital information in the collection.
The mission of Indiana State Library Preservation Services is to improve and ensure long-term, ongoing access to the cultural and historical collections of the Indiana State Library. The department, staffed by one full-time conservator and occasional interns, fulfills this primary goal by providing conservation treatments of collections items and implementing preventive care and administrative policies.
Responsibilities:
The Project Conservator will report to the Indiana State Library Conservator. The Project Conservator will be responsible for the examination, documentation, technical study, and treatment of the selected maps and will follow the AIC Code of Ethics and Guidelines for Practice. The Project Conservator will follow all the lab procedures and protocols of the Indiana State Library Conservation Lab. This position will also coordinate with the Indiana Collection Supervisor.
Job Requirements:
Master's Degree in Art, Museum and/or Library/Archives Conservation, Materials Science from and an accredited graduate conservation program, with a specialization in paper conservation.
Knowledge and experience of a range of simple and complex treatment options for paper-based materials; ability to choose and execute appropriate treatments and documentation, as demonstrated by a portfolio.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Proficiency with Microsoft© Windows environment.
Knowledge of personal safety equipment and laboratory safety standards.
Strong organizational skills including the ability to prioritize and meet deadlines.
Must be able to pass a pass a background check.
Carry out conservation treatments in accordance with AIC's Code of Ethics and Guidelines for Practice.
Must be legally authorized to work in the United States.
How to Apply:
Please send a letter of interest, CV / résumé, and three sample treatment reports to Seth Irwin, Conservator at sirwin1@library.in.gov
Any questions about the position can be directed to Seth Irwin - (317) 447-1951
Priority will be given to applications received by January 15th
The Indiana State Library is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
