Guest Lecturer, Library and Archives Conservation Education (LACE) Garman Art Conservation Department, SUNY Buffalo State
The Garman Art Conservation Department at SUNY Buffalo State seeks a qualified, experienced lecturer to travel to Buffalo three times each semester (2.5 days each visit) to lecture, lead seminar/studio exercises, and supervise graduate student treatment projects on bound materials. Compensation includes honorarium plus travel, accommodations, and expenses. The guest lecturer position will begin Fall Semester, August – December 2018.
Responsibilities
Lecturer supervises the book conservation treatments of second-year students specializing in library and archives conservation (1-3 students), and introduces all ten first-year students to the history, technology, and conservation of the book.
The lecturer visits Buffalo for two-and-a-half days, three times each semester. These visits are designed to fit within the existing curriculum and course schedule, and must occur on a Thursday-Friday-Saturday sequence. On Thursdays, the lecturer works with second-year students specializing in book conservation to supervise their book treatment projects and Master’s projects (in conjunction with the professor of paper conservation). On Fridays, the lecturer presents to first-year students for 1.5 hours in the morning, followed by a 3-hour lab or studio exercise in the afternoon. On Saturday morning, the lecturer generally consults with students from both classes. On the third visit each semester, the lecturer works primarily with the second-year students on all three days. The 3 visits will be scheduled in advance of each semester, at the lecturer’s convenience.
The lecturer will have considerable leeway in the structure of lectures, presentations, and workshops. Past successful programs have included a lecture on the history of bindings coupled with a visit to the rare book room of the University at Buffalo or the Buffalo and Erie County Public Library; a lecture on the history of sewing styles, with a lab on the sewing of pamphlets and simple textblocks in case bindings; a lecture on the major damages that occur in books, and how to best support them on display, with a studio exercise on building book cradles or custom boxes; making historical book models from kits; “medium-rare” and circulating collection repairs such as fan adhesive rebinding for paperbacks and rebacking; book identification exercises, etc. Over the course of the lectures and studios, students learn the specific terminology used for describing books, and the special care books require. Ethics and standards of practice are stressed. Second-year book conservation students rely on the guest lecturer for primary supervision of their book conservation projects and may consult the lecturer between visits via phone or email. Between visits, supervision is provided by the paper conservation professor. The guest lecturer and paper conservation professor co-supervise the students’ Master’s projects.
The guest lecturer will have full access to a purpose-built paper conservation suite, with a dedicated area for book treatment, a comprehensive library, and the support of the faculty, including two scientists and an imaging specialist. We have the ability to augment our equipment, tools, and supplies for book conservation as reasonable needs arise.
Buffalo has a congenial faculty that shares a commitment to providing the best instruction possible to our students, and we want to continue our success in graduating respected book conservators. We welcome letters of interest in this important position from conservators who have a passion for books and book conservation, experience in lecturing or teaching, and an easy manner with students. Applicants must have a Master’s level degree in conservation, library science, a related field, or equivalent experience.
To apply, please send a cover letter, resume, and three references to Theresa J. Smith, smithtj@buffalostate.edu by April 23, 2018.
Applicants should be prepared to provide a draft outline of lecture and studio topics upon request.
Theresa J. Smith
Assistant Professor of Paper Conservation Garman Art Conservation Department SUNY Buffalo State
1300 Elmwood Ave., RH 230
Buffalo, NY 14222
716-878-5025
smithtj@buffalostate.edu