Conservation and Preservation Volunteer

Location: The MERL Conservation Studio, Tuesday PM

Why we want you

This role is to support the activities of the Paper Conservator and the work of conservation at Special Collections. The documents you will be working on have been stored in poor conditions, and are dirty. The documents will need to be cleaned and rehoused in appropriate archival folders.

This activity is extremely valuable to the ongoing stability and access to these documents. Their present condition makes them very difficult for researchers to handle and increases the chance of damage to them. Your role will be a vital contribution to ensuring access to these collections and the longevity of the documents.

What you will be doing

Working in the Conservation Studio, you will undertake basic but important preservation tasks on the selected material. This may include:

• Cleaning archive material with dry brushes and latex cleaning sponges,
• Rehousing items in paper folders, four flap card folders and Melinex® (a clear polyester material,
• Removal of metal fastenings

Special access/ allergy trigger considerations

This role includes:

• Items that are likely to be dirty and/or contain traces of mould (PPE such as gloves and masks will be provided),
• Using latex cleaning sponges,
• Periods of time spent standing and sitting; some of the benches in Conservation are higher than normal, and the chairs we have available are similarly high
• Lifting moderate weights.

This role will suit you if you are

• Able to both work independently, but also enjoy being part of a small team
• Meticulous in your approach with good manual dexterity
• Able to maintain concentration during repetitive tasks
• Able to follow instructions and not be afraid to seek help if necessary

What you will gain in return

• Direct experience of handling heritage materials
• Practical skills in archive and library conservation techniques and procedures
• Experience working as part of a larger team project in a conservation environment
• The opportunity to learn more about paper conservation
• Training in all aspects of the role

Who does the role report to?

Lucy Hatch, Paper Conservator - based at The MERL: l.s.hatch@reading.ac.uk

How much time will it take up?

We are offering sessions for 12 weeks, at which point the project will be reviewed.

You will get the most out of the placement if you are able to attend as many sessions as possible during that time. However, we realise that you may have some prior commitments/ appointments in the project period.

To apply

If you are able to use a computer or mobile device, please complete your volunteer registration form on our volunteering platform by 9am on Tuesday 24^th March 2026.

If you are using a mobile or tablet, once you click ‘Fill in an Application’, look out for the suggestion ‘It looks like you are on a mobile device. For a better experience on smart phones, go to Mobile Application Form’ and click on the link it suggests.

*Please ensure you tick ‘Paper Conservation & Preservation Volunteer’ in your ‘Interests’ section under My profile, when registering*

When you are happy with your application, please don’t forget to click SUBMIT – otherwise we will never receive your form! 

We often find that more volunteers apply for the role than we have vacancies.
We expect to receive a lot of interest for this position.
You are welcome to attach your CV if you wish, but please include key relevant information when answering the application form questions, as this may be used if we need to shortlist from a larger group of applicants. 

A hard copy application form is available for those who are not confident in using computers or have limited digital access. Please email VolunteeringHQ@reading.ac.uk and we can send you a Word application form which can be completed digitally, or printed and handed in.

Existing volunteers/ already registered your application - If you are already registered to volunteer with Museums Partnership Reading, please log in to the volunteering platform, click on My Profile, select the ‘Interests’ section, and ensure you tick the box next to ‘Paper Conservation & Preservation Volunteer’ on our volunteering platform by 9am on Tuesday 24^th March 2026

Matching to the role

If you are shortlisted for this role, we will invite you to an online interview at a mutually convenient time.