Conservator (Exhibitions & Loans)
The British Library Closing date: Sat, 28 Mar 2026
- Full time
- £25k-£30k
- Apply now
Thu, 05 Mar 2026 "> published -
Job Summary
Job Description
The successful candidate will support the Conservation Exhibitions and Loans Manager in delivering a programme of conservation and administration for exhibitions and loans. This will include preparing, assessing, documenting and conserving items from the British Library's collections to ensure their safe display, stability, and longevity, in line with professional conservation frameworks and the principle of minimal intervention.
Job Requirements
To support exhibition and loan activities and complete, under broad supervision, condition assessments and conservation treatments on primarily, but not exclusively, paper-based objects from a range of cultural material including archival collections. This will include:
- Assessment of items to determine causes of deterioration.
- Development of treatment options to ensure the improved condition, longevity and accessibility of collection items within the context of a minimal intervention approach.
- Preparation of items for exhibitions and loans including documentation, treatment where required, mounting and framing and packaging within tight deadlines.
- Preparation of items for imaging/digitisation and assistance for imaging studios, when appropriate.
- Assist with conservation consultations of multiple items or collections to assess and report on their condition and to propose strategies for their display.
- To make decisions about appropriate procedures to use on each collection it
Job Responsibilities
- To prepare, assess and conserve items from the British Library's collections for exhibition or loan.
- To undertake the practical conservation/preservation of a wide range of selected items from the Library's collections using appropriate practices and under limited supervision.
- To take ownership of relevant security requirements and ensure compliance with corporate policy and procedures, ensuring that all collection items in the job holder's possession are fully recorded using appropriate systems and are accountable when audited.
- To develop treatment options for items requiring conservation within the guiding principle of minimal intervention and adhering to professional conservation frameworks.
- To provide Conservation and Preservation support for digitisation projects.
- To contribute to and carry out Preventive Conservation programmes and projects to preserve the library collections.
Job Overview
- Job Title: Conservator (Exhibitions & Loans)
- Salary: £25k-£30k
- Hours: Full time
- Artform: Libraries
- Role: Curation
- Contract: Permanent
- Closing date: Sat, 28 Mar 2026
- Contact name: BL Recruitment
- Contact email: [email protected]
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Location:
London
Contact Details
- Contact name: BL Recruitment
- Contact email: [email protected]