Assistant Conservator, Book Conservation

Job Summary

The Assistant Conservator supports the conservation, preservation, and housing of library and museum collections, including rare books and related materials. This role performs hands-on conservation treatments, develops protective enclosures, and ensures materials are properly processed and shelf-ready in accordance with current preservation standards.

Working collaboratively with curators, scientists, registrars, and collections staff, the Assistant Conservator contributes to exhibition support, digitization initiatives, environmental monitoring, and emergency preparedness. The position also participates in professional outreach, education, and knowledge-sharing within the broader conservation field.

Primary Responsibilities

• Evaluate, examine, treat, and rehouse materials within both special and general collections

• Perform conservation treatments including cleaning, repair, rebinding, and stabilization of books and related objects made from leather, cloth, vellum, photographs, textiles, metals, plastics, and other materials

• Physically process newly acquired or cataloged materials to render them shelf-ready

• Design and construct custom preservation enclosures, including boxes, mats, inserts, four-flap enclosures, and protective sleeves

• Conduct conservation triage and rehousing of fragile or damaged materials

• Support exhibitions through condition reporting, object preparation, installation, and mount/support recommendations

• Monitor and manage workflow within the conservation lab to ensure appropriate processing of materials

• Participate in pest management, environmental monitoring systems, and emergency preparedness and response activities

• Support digitization projects by reviewing and safely handling materials for imaging

• Provide training and mentorship to interns, volunteers, and library staff on preservation practices

• Maintain laboratory spaces, tools, and supplies in clean and organized condition

• Participate in vendor selection and supplier relationship management

• Contribute to educational programs, professional forums, publications, and social media initiatives

• Maintain and expand professional knowledge in book conservation and preservation best practices

• Perform additional related duties as assigned

Requirements & Qualifications

Education:
Masters degree from a recognized conservation training program in book conservation, or Library Science degree with a concentration in book conservation, or equivalent experience

Experience:

• Minimum two (2) years of experience in book conservation techniques, from basic to advanced treatments

• Experience in a research library setting preferred

Skills & Knowledge:

• Demonstrated expertise in book conservation treatments and enclosure-making

• Knowledge of current preservation standards and best practices

• Familiarity with integrated library systems preferred

• Understanding of printmaking processes, book history, binding structures, paper, and printing techniques

• Knowledge of preservation issues including pest management, environmental monitoring, and emergency preparedness

• Strong written and verbal communication skills

• Ability to work collaboratively within a team environment

• Ability to safely lift up to 45 pounds

• Foreign language skills and experience with writing or social media publishing are helpful but not required

New York, New York, United States

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