Preservation Librarian

About the role

The Preservation Librarian for the Syracuse University Libraries provides leadership and manages administrative operations, standards, priorities, and supervision for the physical collection preservation program. This position is responsible for leading physical preservation planning efforts, including disaster preparedness, response, and recovery planning for the library’s physical collections.

Responsibilities

• Physical Preservation Program Leadership
  • Develop and lead the preservation unit for the Libraries physical collections (especially print materials) in alignment with national standards and institutional priorities.
  • Lead preservation planning efforts, including disaster preparedness, response, and recovery planning for the Libraries physical collections.
  • Represent the Libraries in relevant regional, national, and professional physical preservation consortia and contributes to collaborative preservation efforts.
  • Identify and cultivate new grant funding opportunities while managing existing external grants supporting physical preservation initiatives. As Principal Investigator, oversee all phases of grant administration, ensuring compliance with state guidelines, and adherence to University and Sponsored Accounting policies and procedures.
• Disaster Planning and Collaboration
  • Manage the Libraries’ physical disaster recovery operations and emergency planning in coordination with Conservation Librarian, ensuring placement and maintenance of disaster kits in library spaces.
  • Check the environmental monitors in Bird Library to ensure temperature and humidity remain in the correct range and complete monthly reports.
  • Serve as a primary contact in the event of a physical disaster in any of the Libraries.
  • Keep the disaster response list up to date.
  • Engage with faculty, students, and university departments to promote awareness of physical preservation services and resources.
  • Participates in relevant instruction activities, research consultations, and outreach programming.
  • Act as the face of the preservation unit for physical collections, fostering partnerships, and managing University and public outreach.
  • Collaborate with Libraries’ departments on shared preservation priorities.
• Administrative Operations
  • Manage the physical general collections preservation lab operations including managing the preservation unit budget, data management/metrics, equipment, supply procurement, lab/safety standards, and initiatives.
  • Maintain and monitor expenditures and manage budget allocations in alignment with priorities and policies.
  • Establish, regularly review, and manage updates to physical preservation procedures and best practices to ensure compliance with professional standards.
  • Collaborate with staff to ensure procedures are fully documented and followed.
  • Manage the various workflows of the lab to ensure that the work is tracked, completed well and in a timely manner.
  • Prepare reports, communications, and documentation related to the physical preservation program status and progress.
  • Lead the unit’s vendor relations activities.
  • Exercise independent judgement to resolve complex issues in the lab and the physical preservation program.
  • Foster an inclusive and equitable workplace culture.
• Supervision
  • Supervise, train, and direct the work of staff: assigning work, evaluating performance, mentoring, training and development opportunities, addressing concerns, and approving time.
  • Collaborate with staff on student employee hiring, establishing production goals, and treatment procedures.
  • Approve recommended hires and receive updates on performance concerns.
• Physical Collections Assessment & Conservation
  • Manage the collections assessment and conservation oversight process of the Libraries’ physical general collections.
  • Review materials sent to the Preservation Lab with complex conditions outside of the normal distribution parameters to determine needed treatment, distributing them to the proper location to ensure an even workflow.
  • Cook with external conservators as needed.
  • Consult with the Conservation Librarian on conservation treatment decisions for significant, rare, or unique materials as needed.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Masters degree in Library and Information Science from an ALA-Accredited institution.
• Professional experience in a wide range of Preservation/Conservation treatment procedures of various paper-based formats, as demonstrated by a sample portfolio, and at least 1 year of professional Preservation/Conservation work experience.
• At least 3 years’ experience supervising staff, preferred.

Skills and Knowledge

• Organization and analytical skills, including organizing and managing projects and/or workflow in a production setting.
• Excellent collaborative, interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills.
• Strong database skills, including ability to work with integrated library systems.
• Knowledge of conservation theory and practice.
• Experience in disaster recovery procedures for libraries, including off-site materials.
• Knowledge of preservation issues and current trends facing large research facilities.
• Knowledge of book history and bookbinding.