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Description
The Preservation Directorate hosts volunteers with relevant preservation experience on an ongoing basis. Selected volunteers work in the preservation division most appropriate to their experience:
- Conservation Division -- Experience in a special collections conservation lab doing collections rehousing; collections stabilization; custom boxmaking; special collections conservation treatment; environmental monitoring; collections emergency response. As well as general collection experience with the LC Classification system; bookbinding; paper mending; rebacking; library binding; collections emergency response. Please note: Pre-program volunteer applicants must submit a letter of recommendation from a conservator. The Conservation Division is unable to accept volunteers at this time.
- Preservation Reformatting Division -- Experience with metadata; analog to digital conversion; digital to digital conversion; web design
- Preservation Research and Testing Division -- Background and/or lab experience in chemistry or physical sciences; information technology; data management
Application Instructions and Process
Applicants to the Preservation Volunteer Program should not be currently matriculated students (see instead Preservation Internship or browse full list of preservation internships here).
Volunteers can be on a part-time or full-time schedule, but a minimum of 240 hours over 6 weeks to 6 months is generally required. Volunteers can start at any time of the year.
Application Materials
A complete application (only complete applications will be reviewed) consists of:
- Preservation Application Form [PDF: 174 KB / 4 pp.]
- Formal letter of interest (letter should indicate preferred division of interest)
- Résumé
- Two letters of recommendation (Conservation pre-program applicants must submit one letter from a conservator)
Please follow the instructions at the top of the application form and submit all materials by email. Email subject line should read: "Preservation Volunteer Program in [insert division of interest]." If desired, letters writers may email letters directly; letter writers must include the name of the applicant in the subject line.
Qualified applicants will be scheduled for a phone interview.
Application Schedule
Applications are accepted at any time.
Stipend
None.
Send your application to the relevant Division/Program contact:
Preservation Reformatting Division & Binding and Collections Care Division
Adrija Henley, Chief
[email protected]
Conservation Division
Yasmeen Khan, Paper Conservation Section Head
[email protected]
Preservation Research and Testing Division
Fenella France, Chief
[email protected]