Posting Details
Applications will be accepted until midnight (Eastern Time Zone) on the 'Posting End Date' shown below.
Position Information
Business Title
Book and Paper Conservator
Applications Accepted From
University Wide, Public: Open to the Public
Special Instructions to Applicants
To apply, please complete and submit the online application and be prepared to attach 3 separate documents. A complete application contains a CV or resume, cover letter addressing your interest and qualifications for all the position requirements and any of the position preferences, and a list of three professional references including email, phone contact information, and the nature of the relationship.
Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. For full consideration, please apply by 11:59 p.m. EST on July 9, 2026.
Applicants selected for interview will be asked to share portfolio of their conservation work.
This position is eligible for the following benefits:
sick leave, vacation, holidays paid, winter break closure, and retirement.
Posting Number
2016402T
Department Summary
The Ohio University Libraries invites applications and nominations for the position of Book and Paper Conservator.
The Book and Paper Conservator will be joining a team that includes colleagues in the Mahn Center for Archives and Special Collections, Preservation, and Digital Initiatives. The Robert E. and Jean R. Mahn Center for Archives and Special Collections is the principal repository for rare books, manuscript collections, the Documentary Photography Archive, and the Ohio University Archives. The department's mission is to support the education, research, and creative endeavors of the Ohio University community through engagement with rare and primary resource materials.
The responsibilities of the Conservator include intermediate to advanced special collections/medium rare materials conservation treatment, exhibition preparation, digitization preparation, special conservation projects, photographic documentation, and outreach. This is a half-time position.
Specifically, the Book and Paper Conservator will:
- Perform intermediate to advanced conservation treatments on special collection and medium rare items from the collections of OHIO Libraries. Stay abreast of current techniques through external conservation resources and state-wide collegues. Author treatment reports for archives and special collections materials.
- Evaluate medium rare and special collections materials and determine the proper treatment based on established conservation, departmental standards, and research on the history and materiality of the object.
- Conduct photographic documentation for treated materials that warrant photographs, based on industry and departmental standards. Collaborate with Digtial Initiatives when specialized imaging, including Ultraviolet Fluorescence, Near Infrared, and/or Reflectance Transformation Imaging (RTI) is appropriate.
- Train and mentor other staff members on conservation repairs, treatments, and techniques, as well as storage and housing methods and historical book structures.
- Provide outreach, in a team environment with department staff, with emphasis on preservation, photographic documentation, and book studies.
- Support disaster recovery efforts for the Libraries.
- Partner with the Digital Initiatives on strategies for preservation handling during digitization projects. Coordinate post-digitization housing.
- Coordinate and execute exhibit preparation activities, including conservation treatment, condition reports, custom enclosures, custom cradles, custom matting, and labelling.
- Contribute to the Lab's social media presence, including the Archives and Libraries' blogs, and various other platforms.
- Coordinate and execute special conservation/preservation projects including, but not limited to, rehousing, environmental monitoring and analysis, storage planning, etc.
- May oversee the general, circulating collections workflow, including evaluating, training, quality control, and completing more complex repairs that are beyond student staff skillsets.
- Manage supply orders for the department.
- This position requires manual dexterity, close visual examination, and attention to detail.
- Provide outreach and collaboration with the University community.
About the Ohio University Libraries
The Ohio University Libraries system consists of the Alden Library, the Music and Dance Library, the Hwa-Wei Lee Library Annex, as well as five regional campus libraries. With a staff of more than 75 FTE, the Libraries has more than 2.7 million volumes in its collection and has a total annual budget of over $12 million. The Libraries also hosts the
Ohio University Press, an award-winning publisher of books about Africa, Appalachia, Southeast Asia, and the Midwest.
The Libraries is a member of the
Association of Research Libraries (ARL), the
Coalition for Networked Information (CNI), the
Scholarly Publishing and Academic Resources Coalition (SPARC), the
Center for Research Libraries (CRL),
OhioLINK, and
Lyrasis, a national consortium of libraries.
The Libraries Strategic Plan can be found
here.
Position Profile
Duties/essential functions may include, but not be limited to, the following:
Provides specialized expertise through collection management, research support, and instruction within a disciplinary area of information management. Provides outreach and collaboration with the University community.
Level Summary
Provides professional expertise to the University community. Serves as a resource and guide to others in the department and/or university. Completes operational tasks essential for the daily functioning of the University. Additionally, contributes to larger projects or initiatives that align with department or University goals, often collaborating across teams.
Supervisory Responsibilities
May assist in mentoring or training new employees.
Fiscal Responsibilities
No budgetary responsibility. May be responsible for validating transactions.
Problem Solving
Handles a variety of problems with some independence.
Independence of Action
Some supervision; able to work independently on routine tasks.
Communication and Collaboration
Collaborates with team members and shares knowledge.
Physical Requirements
- This role is primarily desk-based and involves extensive use of desktop computers. Occasionally, the job may require travel to attend meetings and programs.
- May be required to regularly lift up to 50 pounds.
Minimum Qualifications
Requires a Master's degree accredited by the American Library Association or equivalent national or international body and 1 or more years of related professional experience, or equivalent education and experience.
Preferred Qualifications
- Degree in Conservation. Experience performing conservation treatment on rare and special collections in an academic library setting.
- Demonstrated success working independently and in a team environment.
- Demonstrated interest in communicating the role of conservation in the overall preservation and access of cultural heritage collections through outreach and professional development.
Department
Library
Pay Rate
The target salary for this position is $21.44 to $35.68 an hour and is commensurate with the selected candidate's education and experience while considering internal equity.
Ohio University is proud to offer a robust benefit package that includes paid holidays, sick time, personal time, an excellent retirement plan with up to a 14% employer contribution, a 12-week parental leave program, flextime and flexplace policies, an employee assistance program, access to professional development programs, and additional employee resources. Additional information is available at
https://www.ohio.edu/hr/benefits.
Total Compensation Estimator (For Full-Time Benefits Eligible Employees)
Discover the full value of joining Ohio University by clicking this link:
https://www.ohio.edu/hr/compensation/total-compensation-estimator
Our Total Compensation Estimator shows your offer package in dollars: salary plus university paid benefits including health coverage, retirement contributions, paid time off, tuition benefits, and more.
See details on what we offer in one place and compare different options for retirement and insurance.
Estimates are informational only; exact coverage is determined by eligibility policies and official plan documents.
Pay Grade
CA&P|16|
Pay Range
$21.44 - $35.68
FLSA Status
Non-Exempt
Job Category
Administrative at-will appointment
Employment Type
part-time term
Job Family
Library Services/Museum
Job Sub Family
Subject Specialist
Job Level
IC2NE
Job Open Date
06/18/2026
Posting End Date
07/09/2026
Planning Unit
Library
Work Schedule
Position is half-time working between the hours of 8-5 Monday-Friday. Library Annex, 205 Columbus Road Athens Ohio 45701
Months
12 month
Campus
Athens
Expected hours worked per week
20
Expected duration of assignment
2 years
Applicants may contact this person if they have questions about this position.
Beth Tragert, tragerte@ohio.edu
Non-Discrimination Statement
Ohio university is proud of its rich history and as part of our ongoing efforts to provide and support a transformative learning experience, we affirm our commitment to fostering a welcoming and respectful workforce and community. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration free from discrimination on the basis of age, ancestry, color, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender identity or expression, genetic information, military service or veteran status, national origin, pregnancy, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, status as a parent or foster parent, or any other bases under the law. Ohio university is an equal access/equal opportunity employer.
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