Department
 

Library C & A - Preservation Administration

About the Department
 

As a center of intense intellectual inquiry, the University of Chicago Library aspires to be the most
dynamic research and learning environment in the world, supporting the University’s commitment to
research and teaching and to using its intellectual resources to help solve the world’s problems. Even as we continue to focus on building and preserving our renowned collections, the Library is assuming new roles that are vital to research, innovation, and learning at the University. In the process, we are leveraging the deep expertise of Library staff, developing services that support new avenues of research, and expanding access to and preservation of scholarly resources in ways that advance the goals of the University community and the needs of the next generation of scholars.

The Preservation Department supports the Library's mission to provide comprehensive resources and services in support of the research, teaching, and learning needs of the University community. The Collections Care Unit serves all campus libraries, handling materials in general and circulating collections, preserving physical collections to ensure access for future generations.

Job Summary
 

As a member of the Preservation Department, the Head of Collections Care provides oversight and management for programs and workflows for the care of the Library’s general and circulating collections. Programs consist of commercial library binding that includes first-time binding, rebinding, and rehousing of library collections, and shelf preparation of materials that includes marking and labeling of all types of library materials for the shelf. Other activities include stabilization projects for older and distinctive collections, and other preservation initiatives.

The Head of Collections Care plays a pivotal role in preserving and maintaining our extensive physical collections for the long-term through planning and managing library-wide preventive strategies including environmental monitoring, integrated pest management, and disaster preparedness and recovery.

Responsibilities

Oversees and directs all operations and staffing for (2) full-time staff and student assistants of the commercial library binding program including, binding, shelf preparation of materials, and housing workflows for the library’s general and circulating collections.

Sets goals and policies, evaluates operations and workflows for efficiency and provides statistics and reports for program assessment and planning. 

Establishes guidelines and procedures, monitor workflows, and set priorities for the team to ensure quality, consistency, timeliness, and coordination of services across the library.

Serves as the liaison with vendors, managing all aspects of service, and ensuring adherence to quality standards.

Manages and tracks budget allocations, including monitoring invoices and payments for library binding services, ensuring efficient utilization of resources. Proposes and works with annual allocations, analyze expenditures and production data to anticipate and plan for changes and improvements to workflows.  Plans and implements workflows for new initiatives and projects.

In conjunction with Conservation, develops and implements library-wide preventive preservation policies, procedures, and guidelines to ensure the long-term preservation of diverse general and circulating collections. 

Conducts regular monitoring and assessment of environmental conditions including temperature, relative humidity, pest monitoring, disaster preparedness, and response. Collaborates with the Conservation team to provide a coordinated approach to collections care including preservation education for staff and users, and disaster preparedness and recovery operations as needed.  Keeps abreast of trends in collections care and preventive preservation.

Assesses general collections for preservation needs; consults with staff on preservation issues, reviews complex materials for binding or boxing. Plans and manages rehousing projects for fragile physical collections in storage and use while working closely establishing critical relationships with Technical Services, the East Asian Collection, Stacks Maintenance, and other units to coordinate and streamline the workflows, improve consistency, ensure timeliness for items processed through the unit, and plan new initiatives.

Controls the execution of tasks within a particular subject or functional area requiring an in-depth knowledge of library practices and procedures.

Interviews, hires, and trains employees; sets and adjusts staff schedules, and manages performance.

Performs other related work as needed.

Minimum Qualifications
 

Education:

Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

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Work Experience:

Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 5-7 years of work experience in a related job discipline.

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Certifications:

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Preferred Qualifications

Experience:

1-2 years of experience in a library, museum, archive, or related field.

1 year of experience managing workflows or projects, setting priorities.

5-7 years of previous supervisory experience.

Preferred Competencies

Ability to manage multiple workflows effectively; flexibility to respond to changing needs and priorities.

Ability to work collaboratively with a team, and effectively and collegially with supervisors, staff, and vendors.

Ability to work well independently.

Strong organizational skills, attention to detail.

Demonstrated team building skills.

Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal.

Excellent analytic and problem-solving skills.

Working Conditions

Position is onsite.

Ability to handle the physical aspects of the position including lifting, carrying, moving loaded book trucks, and shelving materials.

Capacity to manage fragile materials in a safe manner.

Ability to lift and move up to 50 lbs.

Application Documents

Resume (required)

Three (3) Professional References (required)

When applying, the document(s) MUST be uploaded via the My Experience page, in the section titled Application Documents of the application.

Job Family
 

Library

Role Impact
 

People Manager

FLSA Status
 

Exempt

Pay Frequency
 

Monthly

Scheduled Weekly Hours
 

37.5

Benefits Eligible
 

Yes

Drug Test Required
 

No

Health Screen Required
 

No

Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required
 

No

Posting Statement
 

The University of Chicago is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity/Disabled/Veterans and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, status as an individual with a disability, military or veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination.

 

Staff Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 773-702-5800 or submit a request via Applicant Inquiry Form.

 

We seek a diverse pool of applicants who wish to join an academic community that places the highest value on rigorous inquiry and encourages a diversity of perspectives, experiences, groups of individuals, and ideas to inform and stimulate intellectual challenge, engagement, and exchange.

 

All offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes a review of conviction history.  A conviction does not automatically preclude University employment.  Rather, the University considers conviction information on a case-by-case basis and assesses the nature of the offense, the circumstances surrounding it, the proximity in time of the conviction, and its relevance to the position.

 

The University of Chicago's Annual Security & Fire Safety Report (Report) provides information about University offices and programs that provide safety support, crime and fire statistics, emergency response and communications plans, and other policies and information. The Report can be accessed online at: http://securityreport.uchicago.edu. Paper copies of the Report are available, upon request, from the University of Chicago Police Department, 850 E. 61st Street, Chicago, IL 60637.