Education and Training

Education and Training

The Gladys Brooks Conservation Laboratory provides education and training to conservation professionals and pre-professionals through internships, volunteer opportunities, and participation and leadership in professional organizations.

The Lab is the regular site for workshops and lectures on topics related to conservation and binding for the New York Chapter of the Guild of Book Workers. The Lab consults with other institutions on conservation issues and is open to both the public and organized school groups for tours.

To make an appointment to visit the lab, please email conservation@nyam.org or call (212) 822-7363.

Internships

Gladys Brooks Book and Paper Conservation Internship

The Gladys Brooks Internship at The New York Academy of Medicine is designed to provide an opportunity for training in book and paper conservation. This paid internship lasts for 2-3 months, depending on the number of days spent in the lab. Dates and planned projects for the internship are flexible and will be arranged personally with the successful candidate. The Gladys Brooks Internship provides a stipend of approximately $5,000. Only one paid internship is granted per calendar year. The internship entails:

• Examining and applying book and paper conservation principles

• Understanding the steps in determining conservation needs

• Learning which materials and structures are appropriate for use in repairing, binding and storing rare or fragile materials

• Executing agreed-upon conservation treatments

Interns will become familiar with conservation activities through extensive hands-on experience and observations in a working book and paper conservation laboratory. Applicants for this internship must:

• Either be enrolled in a conservation graduate program and have some experience in the field of bookbinding and/or book conservation; or be working in the field of book conservation and demonstrate a need that can be met through an internship experience;

• Have aesthetic appreciation and the manual dexterity to work with delicate and fragile materials

• Have a student or working visa, if not a U.S. citizen

Applicants must submit electronically to conservation@nyam.org a detailed letter of interest, a current resume and three letters of professional recommendation. The deadline for receipt of application materials is December 15th for an internship during the next calendar year.

Unpaid Internships

The Gladys Brooks Lab offers unpaid internship opportunities to individuals at various stages in their conservation training and careers. Interns benefit professionally and intellectually from participation in the Lab’s daily activities and from experience treating items in NYAM’s collections. Internships may last from one to four months and require a commitment of 28 hours per week. In most cases, hours can be arranged flexibly. Applications for unpaid internships are accepted on a rolling basis. Inquiries can be sent to conservation@nyam.org

Volunteer Opportunities

In addition to internships, the Gladys Brooks Lab offers volunteer opportunities to students preparing for a career in conservation. Volunteer positions are open to individuals with some experience in bookbinding and who can demonstrate an interest in book conservation. Volunteers must be able to commit to at least 7 hours per week. Applications are considered on a rolling basis. Inquiries can be sent to conservation@nyam.org.