Head of Conservation Services

Stanford University Libraries is seeking a full-time Head of Conservation Servies to join the Preservation Department.

The Libraries values are rooted in a commitment of mutual respect, the idea that every member of the staff has something to contribute, and that learning is constant.

We seek a team member who is ready to share their skills and perspectives.

Stanford University Libraries is a network of over 15 libraries with over 400 employees. We are committed to fueling the teaching, learning and research across Stanford by acquiring, stewarding, and making available a robust collection, currently in excess of 12 million items. Everyone in the organization plays a vital role in fulfilling that objective. Our dedication to discoverability and information management also has us engaged in dynamic global partnerships.

We are constantly building and strengthening our organization, and we recognize striving for excellence is a marathon and not a sprint. We are constantly trying to strike the right pace, and admit there are times when we find ourselves at a fast jog. While we hope to always find candidates who fit within our organization, what we truly seek is someone who will add to our culture, our profession as well as the greater academic arena.

We are invested in the success of our teams and the individuals who represent Stanford University Libraries.

Stanford Libraries Preservation Department manages the long-term preservation of analog library collections. The department is dedicated to promoting a culture of preservation throughout Stanford. We support teaching and research by connecting library staff to our staff, our services, and our resources. We preserve library materials at every stage of the collection lifecycle through a robust program of preventive collection care, conservation services and preservation education.

Through the complementary teamwork of two units, Collection Care and Conservation Services, the Preservation department stabilizes, repairs, houses, and prepares analog library collections for storage, use, digitization, and exhibition. As one of five departments in the Technical and Access Services division, Preservation works closely with units across the library organization to manage the thoughtful stewardship of library resources, including the digital preservation program and digitization services managed by the Digital Libraries Systems and Services division.

Reporting to the Associate Director for Preservation, the Head of Conservation Services manages a well-established and dynamic conservation program for Stanford University Libraries special collections materials focused on the care of books, manuscripts, archival collections, maps, posters, photographs, and objects. You will plan and direct the daily activities of the unit and lead a collaborative team of 2 book conservators, 1 paper conservator and 2 conservation technicians responsible for conservation treatment, custom housing, and exhibition loans to local, national and international venues.

As the Head of Conservation Services you will be an integral member of the Preservation Department management team, working closely with the Associate Director for Preservation and the Preservation Librarian to cultivate a respectful, supportive and inclusive workplace and develop appropriate and sustainable workflows that meet department, Library, and University strategic priorities. You will be the primary liaison between the Conservation Services unit and stakeholders across the organization requiring excellent interpersonal and communication skills to support successful collaboration with over 80 curators,…