Harry Ransom CenterThe University of Texas at Austin

Conservation Department Volunteer Opportunities

There are many preservation- and conservation-related volunteer opportunities in the Ransom Center Conservation Department. Laboratories that accept volunteers include the book, paper, photography, and preservation housing labs. Volunteer opportunities vary from lab to lab depending on staff schedules.

Preservation Housing

The preservation lab constructs housings for collection materials. Volunteers learn how to make the following types of housings: polyester jackets, tuxedo cases and phase boxes. An effort is made to include volunteers in special Conservation Department projects including inspection of incoming collections. Depending on the volunteer's skill and time commitment, he or she may work on complex housing projects.

Time Commitment: minimum of 4 hours per week.
Laboratory Hours: 8:00-5:00 PM Monday thru Friday, flexible according to project schedule, no fewer than 2 hours per day.
Contact: Apryl Sullivan at apryls@austin.utexas.edu or 471-9117.

Book Lab

The book lab treats books and constructs complex housings for collection materials. Volunteers are accepted based on their hand skills, previous experience and project availability. Volunteers are often recruited from the preservation lab.

Time Commitment: minimum of 8 hours per week.
Laboratory Hours: 8:00-5:00 PM Monday thru Friday, flexible according to project schedule, no fewer than 4 hours per day.
Contact: Olivia Primanis at primanis@utexas.edu or Mary Baughman at m.c.boffman@utexas.edu.

Paper Lab

The paper lab treats and houses the manuscript and art collections. Volunteers are accepted based on their hand skills, previous experience and project availability. Qualified volunteers are accepted.

Time Commitment: minimum of 8 hours per week.
Laboratory Hours: 8:00-5:00 PM Monday thru Friday, flexible according to project schedule, no fewer than 4 hours per day.
Contact: Heather Hamilton at hhamilton@utexas.edu.

Photography Lab

The photography lab treats and houses the photographic collections. Volunteers are accepted based on their hand skills, previous experience and project availability.

Time Commitment: minimum of 8 hours per week.
Laboratory Hours: 8:00-5:00 PM Monday thru Friday, flexible according to project schedule, no fewer than 4 hours per day.
Contact: Barbara Brown at bnbrown@utexas.edu or 471-9117.