"Preservation Librarian, Special and General Collections"

Job Details

Category: Faculty, Librarian (Open Rank)

Department: Humanities and Social Sciences Librarians, Research and Academic Services Division

Salary Range: $72,500 - $82,500

Benefits: 2 Days Annual Leave, 15 Days of Sick Leave, 3 Days Personal Leave, 15(16) Paid Holidays, Tuition Remission, Health, Dental, Vision, and Prescription

Organization's Summary Statement

As the largest university library system in the Washington, D.C./Baltimore region, the University of Maryland (UMD) Libraries serve more than 41,000 students and 14,000 faculty and staff of the flagship College Park campus. Our extensive collections, innovative programs, and dynamic services enable student success, support teaching, research, and creativity, and enrich the intellectual and cultural life of our community.

A member of the Big Ten Academic Alliance and the Association of Research Libraries, the UMD Libraries are nationally recognized for excellence in advancing the role of academic libraries. We are dedicated to fostering a welcoming and collaborative workplace where employees can grow, contribute their strengths, and be part of a community that advances discovery and learning.

Department’s Summary Statement

The University of Maryland Libraries Preservation Department is responsible for the care and conservation of the Libraries general and special collections across formats. It binds, repairs, replaces, and reformats general collections material, and conserves special collections. Preservation also manages the Libraries disaster response and recovery efforts, monitors special collections environments and initiates corrective action, and prepares special collections materials for digitization.

The Preservation Department supports the University's and the Libraries' commitments to environmental stewardship and sustainability. It recognizes the importance of innovation, flexibility, the exploration of new approaches, and strategic collaboration to develop and implement department-specific and community-wide policies and procedures. Each staff member establishes a sustainability-related goal in their annual work plan.

Job Summary

The Preservation Librarian, General and Special Collections, reports to the Head of Preservation and is a valued member of the Preservation Department of the Collections Strategies and Services Division at the University of Maryland Libraries. The incumbent will act as the department’s registrar and will be responsible for managing the department’s conservation lab. They will develop policies and procedures in their area of responsibility, and will participate in overall department management; will participate in planning, establishing, and achieving departmental goals and objectives; may take a leadership role in a variety of projects; and perform simple to moderately complex treatments of collections. They work closely with faculty and staff throughout the library at all levels in support of the collection and its preservation, and participate in committees and group activities in the department, the division, the Libraries, and the University.

Education - Minimum Qualifications

• Master’s degree in library or information science from a graduate program accredited by the American Library Association or equivalent professional degree.

Experience - Minimum Qualifications

• Minimum of one year work in a preservation or conservation department in an academic, research, or special library.
• Understanding of preservation principles and practices.
• Proven experience in managing a broad variety of tasks and projects, from scoping to delivery; ability to set goals, and meet deadlines.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities - Minimum Qualifications

• Must demonstrate understanding of the theory and practice of library and archival materials preservation.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with others in a collegial environment.
• Demonstrated excellence in oral and written communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to pay attention to detailed, often repetitive work.
• Demonstrated ability to manage an array of tasks and projects in the face of time pressure and competing priorities.

Education - Preferences

• Graduate level coursework in preservation.

Physical Demands

• The position involves primarily sedentary work in an office setting with light to moderate noise.
• This position may involve handling, disposing of, or managing hazardous wastes, such as chemical or paint wastes, universal wastes, electronic wastes, or any other materials classified as hazardous.
• The position works in dusty environments; may require respiratory protection.
• Work includes use of scalpels and other sharp materials.
• Sedentary work involving remaining in place for long periods.
• Work that includes moving objects up to 20-50 pounds.
• Must be able to drive Libraries or UMD vehicles.
• Operations of heavy equipment
• Must be able to handle fragile materials
• Must be able to travel to other buildings on campus and work in variety of situations.

Faculty Requirements

This position is appointed to Library Faculty Ranks as established by the University System of Maryland Board of Regents. Rank at appointment is based on the successful applicant’s experience and relevant credentials. Library Faculty at the University of Maryland must demonstrate accomplishments and/or evidence of potential for future accomplishments in three areas: 1) librarianship, which includes the assigned area(s) of responsibility and professional development; 2) service, which includes participation in library, university, local, and national committees and professional organizations beyond the assigned area(s) of responsibility; and 3) research, scholarship, and/or creative activities, which includes self-directed inquiry and results dissemination to advance the state of the profession. Library faculty who are successful in meeting these criteria are awarded continuous employment in the form of Permanent Status. For additional information on faculty status at the University of Maryland Libraries, consult: http://www.president.umd.edu/policies/2014-ii-100b.html.

Required Application Materials

• Cover Letter
• Curriculum Vitae (CV)
• List of 3 references with email addresses and phone numbers

Open until filled with a best consideration date of 02/06/2026.

Visa Requirement: Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.