Division
Department
Supervisor
Rate of pay
Position type
Number of positions available
Scheduled hours
The Preservation Laboratory Student Assistant position is scheduled between 10 and 15 hours per week within regular operating hours of Special Collections and Archives (Monday-Friday 9:00am - 5:00pm).
Purpose of the position
Preservation Laboratory Student Assistants perform activities that aim to prolong the life of library and archival materials. They participate in collection preservation efforts, assist Special Collections and Archives staff with large projects, and provide general support to Technical Services and the Special Collections and Archives Division as a whole.
Duties & responsibilities
Preservation Laboratory Student Assistants conduct general book and paper repair, on materials owned by University Libraries, as assigned. These repairs follow detailed procedures and standards, as established and taught by the Conservator for Special Collections and Archives. Once hired, students will receive specialized training in various library binding and general collections repair techniques. Additionally, students will gain experience in preservation best practices and basic conservation techniques. Prior experience in library conservation, bookbinding, book repair, or preservation techniques is not expected or required.
Conservation procedures include:
- Page and document repair
- Dry surface cleaning
- Preparing objects for exhibit
- Hand book re-binding/basic book repair
- Rebacking and hinge repair
- Construction of archival protective enclosures and boxes
- Encapsulation
Division support activities include:
- Assists in maintaining, inventorying, and unpacking of archival supplies
- Completes weekly SCA walkthroughs and monthly library-wide environmental downloads to collect temperature and relative humidity data
- Responds to immediate/basic conservation needs of collection materials in consultation with the Conservator or Head of Technical Services
- Rehouses collections in archival folders and boxes
- Carries boxes (up to 40 pounds) up ladders to place items on shelves
- Assist Public Services department in paging materials as needed
- Other duties as assigned
In the case of a library disaster, Student Assistants will assist in the salvaging of library materials. Students Assistants will follow all laboratory and safety protocols at all times.
Working conditions
The Preservation Laboratory is a dynamic workspace with unique and highly specialized equipment and supplies. Student Assistants will encounter tasks that are highly technical, but also at times extremely repetitive. Student Assistants will be shown how to use various tools and equipment found in the lab, including both hand tools and heavy machinery. Treatment of archival materials may include the use of chemicals, adhesives, and exposure to mold and dust. To avoid exposure, safety equipment and protocols are used.
The majority of laboratory work is performed at a workbench. Manual dexterity is required with frequent and repetitive use of hands. Ability to learn and repeat operations which require fine motor skills and extreme attention to detail will be necessary. All training will be provided. The depth and breadth of techniques covered will be dependent on each student’s skill level and the amount of time employed.
Physical demands of the job include:
- Occasional walking
- Bending/twisting of the neck and waist
- Standing, Squatting, Climbing, Kneeling, Crawling, Reaching
- Lifting and moving materials weighing up to 40 pounds
- Maneuvering book trucks weighing up to 100 lbs
- Once a month travel to library branches for environmental readings
Other demands include:
- Sitting at a computer screen
- Capable of reading labels and shelf reading in the stacks
- Reaching and obtaining conservation supplies and assignments from shelves and cabinets
Qualifications
Required:
- Strong attention to detail and ability to follow a series of directions
- Effective communication, interpersonal, and organizational skills
- Demonstrated leadership in group projects / group participation
- Ability to learn new concepts and technologies quickly
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office tools (Word, Excel, etc.) and Google Suite
- Perform independently and able to remain flexible when changes are needed
- Ability to lift up to 40 pounds
- Ability to push and pull fully loaded book trucks weighing up to 100lbs
Preferred:
- Proficiency in Adobe Photoshop or Publisher
- Experience with spreadsheets and databases
- Experience working in a library environment Some experience in art making such as printmaking, bookbinding, or other related arts is a plus
- Experience in measuring, mathematics, or engineering
- Some customer service experience