This position is located in the Exhibits Office, Center for Exhibits and Interpretation, Office Of The Librarian. The position description number for this position is 013241. The salary range indicated reflects the locality pay adjustments for the Washington, D.C., Metropolitan area. The incumbents of this position will work a compflex work schedule. This is a non-supervisory, bargaining unit position.
Applicants must have had progressively responsible experience and training sufficient in scope and quality to furnish them with an acceptable level of the following knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the duties of the position without more than normal supervision. Ability to perform museum registration work as it relates to an exhibition and loan program.** Knowledge of museum practices regarding the transport of rare and fragile collections materials.** Knowledge of conservation and preservation principles, techniques, and practices.** Ability to communicate in writing. Ability to interact collaboratively with others. Ability to communicate effectively other than in writing.
The Exhibits Office has the responsibility for developing and installing museum-quality exhibitions at the Library as well as evaluating and coordinating the loan of Library materials to other organizations for exhibition purposes. The Assistant Registrar in the Exhibits Office provides assistance to the Supervisory Registrar in the implementation of security and environmental requirements for all exhibition materials, including in-house collections and incoming loans; and assists in the management of the Outgoing Exhibition Loan Program. Acts as an exhibition loan coordinator, for both incoming and outgoing, national and international loans. Receives requests from potential borrowers, and works with the Conservation Division, to determine if the institutions can meet the care, storage, and exhibition requirements for the object(s). Ascertains that the requested objects are available for loan and then works with Conservation and the Curatorial Divisions to determine if their condition warrants lending Works closely with other divisions to ensure that proper policies are followed in the shipping and care of objects. When discrepancies arise, advises borrowing institution of proper collections care methods. Draws up the loan agreement, under the supervision of the Supervisory Registrar. Assists the Supervisory Registrar in conducting research and surveys to evaluate the effectiveness of the loan program. Periodically monitors and evaluates the policy to determine effectiveness of the program and whether it is serving the needs of both the borrowers and the agency. Ensures the safe handling of collection objects. This includes moving objects to and from custodial storage, conservation, staging areas and exhibition. Assists in determining immediate, short- and long-term storage requirements for exhibition related purposes. Maintains proper security to preclude theft of items. Controls admittance to locked areas by authorized personnel and maintains records for all incoming and outgoing items. Modifies special crates and packages for shipping items, working with approved fine arts packers and the Conservation Office. Utilizes the most modern successful packaging methods and materials in placement of objects for maximum protection. Prepares objects for placement in crates and other appropriate containers. Most of these objects are extremely fragile, one-of-a-kind, and/or of high cultural and monetary value. Recommends, where appropriate, the proper procedures necessary to ensure the safety and preservation of objects in transit. Researches new techniques and methodology. Arranges for shipping. Investigates all incidents of collection damage resulting directly from environmental conditions when they deviate from acceptable parameters. Recommends and directs the implementation of corrective procedures and methods. Manages exhibition registration functions for collections in Exhibits Office care (includes inventory, tracking, and reporting). Provides appropriate levels of accessibility of the collection under exhibition registrar control to staff. Makes recommendations, as necessary, for changes to established EO registration and inventory policies as well as updates said policies. Plans, organizes, schedules and executes registrarial activities. Performs other duties as assigned.