Conservation Internship 2010/2011
The Heritage Council of Ireland and the National Library of Ireland
The Heritage Council and the National Library of Ireland are pleased to offer a one-year
conservation internship. The internship is part of the Heritage Council's commitment to
the promotion of best practice for conservation in Ireland. The internship will combine
studio practice and research and will develop and broaden the intern’s knowledge and
experience. The intern will work alongside experienced conservators in NLI’s busy
conservation studio. The internship will include work on a variety of collections from the
manuscript, printed and visual collections of the National Library of Ireland, as well as
assisting in the preparation and installation of exhibitions and displays.
An ideal candidate profile:
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Recent graduates of a recognised relevant conservation training programme
Excellent written and verbal communication skills
Experience in surveying/ dealing with large collections
Ability to work independently
Interest in learning new skills and engaging in new challenges
Good IT skills, including database and image manipulation
Stipend:
€28,000 per year (subject to normal statutory deductions)
Interviews:
Will take place in September.
Proposed Start Date: November 2010
Applicants should ensure that they are eligible to live and work in Ireland.
Applications for positions must be made on the official application form. Completed
application forms can be emailed to hr@nli.ie or posted to the Human Resources Unit,
National Library of Ireland, 4 Kildare St, Dublin 2.
Applications must be received by 5pm on Friday 30 July 2010
The National Library is an equal opportunities employer. Cuirfear fáilte roimh chomhfhreagras i nGaeilge.
Further Information for Candidates
The collections of the National Library of Ireland include a wide range of mostly paper based
materials, including books, periodicals, newspapers, prints and drawings, maps and manuscripts.
There are also smaller but significant holdings of parchment and vellum based materials and a
substantial photographic collection, including glass plates.
Conservation staff are required to provide a conservation and preservation service in relation to all of
these collections including:
Conservation procedures
Advice and specification of housing and storage methods and conditions
Preservation assessment and other surveys
Disaster preparedness planning and remedial work in the case of a disaster
Preparation of material for exhibition and loan
Installation of exhibitions
Delivery of training in basic conservation procedures to other library staff
Conservation staff work in close cooperation with the curatorial staff attached to the various
collections and report to the Keeper of Research, Preservation and Conservation.
The Conservation Department of the National Library of Ireland is currently staffed by three
experienced paper conservators and a preservation assistant.
Background information can be found at http://www.nli.ie/en/preservation-and-conservation.aspx
and in the Summer 2008 and Autumn 2009 issues of the Library’s newsletter, NLI News which are
available at the following link http://www.nli.ie/en/national-library-of-ireland-newsletter.aspx