The Preservation unit of the NY State Library has the responsibility for assuring the physical preservation of the Library’s collections consisting of nearly 20,000,000 items. In addition to making paper copy available for much of the Library’s collections, the Preservation Unit also performs conservation work to preserve the materials in their original form and imaging services to provide access to NYSL's collections.
The Student Assistant Intern will work part of their time in the repair and rehousing of library materials using a variety of preservation techniques and the remainder in the preparation of documents for shelving.ÌýÌýStudents pursuing a Bachelor’s Degree will earn $15/hour, and students pursuing a master’s degree will earn $18/hour.
Reporting directly to the Preservation Librarian, the Preservation Assistants will receive training in:
- Archival book and paper repair treatments
- Pests and mold in the collections
- Environmental (building) conditions
- The history of paper
- The uses for protective enclosures
- Different types of book bindings
- Reformatting documents
- Disaster preparedness
- Safety in the workplace
This position is open to matriculated undergraduate or graduate students at the University at Albany. Preference may be given to those who are pursuing a Bachelors or Masters in Library or Information Science or a combined Bachelor's or Masters in Library or Information Science Art or Art History, and/or those who may be interested in working in book preservation upon graduation.
Experience with hand work (origami, sewing, woodworking), attention to detail, patience, ability to follow detailed instructions, accurate measuring skills, and ability to work independently.
This is a multi-semester position.
Student may work up to 20 hours per week during the hours of 8 am to 4 pm, Monday through Friday, during the fall and spring semesters.
Undergraduate students will be paid $15/hour and graduate students will be paid $18/hour. For all offices located in NYC or Westchester, Suffolk, or Nassau Counties, undergraduate students will be paid $16.00/hour and graduate students will be paid $19.00/hour.Ìý
Qualified candidates should email a cover letter, resume, transcript (student copy is acceptable), and completed internship application to internships@nysed.gov. Please include the Assignment Number (OCE-FA-24-2) in the subject line of your email to reference this assignment.
Failure to send complete application materials via email will result in your removal from our consideration.
Susan Carver