Preservation Services Specialist

The Pennsylvania State University • University Park, FL

1d • Onsite

About The Position

The primary responsibility of the Part-Time Preservation Services Specialist will be to oversee collections preservation at the University Libraries Conservation Centre, located four miles off campus on Sandy Drive. Key duties include preparing materials for commercial binding for University Park and Commonwealth Campus Libraries, as well as collection care for all University Park library locations. The successful candidate will participate in outreach activities for the department. This position may occasionally have tasks or be part of projects at the University Park main campus. This position is not eligible for remote or hybrid work schedules.

Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent and at least two years of relevant work experience; or a combination of related education and work experience totaling four years.
• Effective communication skills, both written and verbal, to effectively liaise with colleagues
• Experience using Microsoft Office 365 applications, Adobe Creative Cloud tools, Zoom, or equivalent products.
• Ability to work individually or within a group setting as needed.

Nice To Haves

• Previous experience in a library, museum, or archival setting.
• Demonstrated flexibility when solving problems and seeking out new methods for better functionality.
• Experience with public-facing outreach events and engaging with a variety of audiences.

Responsibilities

• Assist in preparation, shipment, and tracking for commercial binding activities. This will include evaluating periodicals, serials, newspapers, music scores, and monographs for shipment; creating, maintaining and updating online holding data; boxing materials; unpacking shipments; revising catalog records; performing quality control checks.
• Perform in-house repairs to maintain physical access to general collections. Tasks include tip-ins, replacement pages, pamphlet binders, encapsulation, creating pockets, enclosures, and minor conservation treatments.
• Monitor incoming monograph repairs to assess potential for collection weeding.
• Assist in responding to collection emergencies and participate in disaster recovery services.
• Participate in outreach activities at the Conservation Centre, including the Annual Minter Lectureship, department tours, and collaborations with other departments within Penn State and the Centre County community.
• Maintain accurate statistics on daily activities and report this information monthly.
• Occasionally participate in projects with the digital focused team at Pattee/Paterno Libraries.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Part-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED