Anne,
We have had a conservator working for us for many years (15+ I think), in a similar set up.  I believe that we actually trade time with her for her work.  She is considered a contract worker for us, and uses our lab space as her office.  She does many projects on her own, and also is available whenever we need any kind of conservation work done.  It is quite handy to have her around all the time, because we can always ask her for advice.  It is basically set up as a trade:  We pay her for her work by allowing her to use the lab space for her own projects.  If she does a lot of work in a particular month for us, then we sometimes end up needing to pay her in cash if it exceeds the amount of time she used the lab for her own projects.  If you have any specific questions, let me know off-list, and I'll see if I can answer them, or let you know who here can.  Good luck!

Deborah Winton
Administrative Assistant, IARC
School of American Research
Santa Fe, NM
www.sarweb.org 

>>> Anne Lane <[log in to unmask]> 01/08/01 12:48PM >>>
One of the thoughts being bandied about our institution right now is the
concept of establishing a dual-duty conservation lab as part of a proposed
new storage facility in a renovated school building. The proposal is to
hire a staff conservator who, in addition to caring for our own stuff,
would take on private commissions using the same facility. Has anyone tried
this arrangement, and would you be willing to share whether it worked or
didn't work and why? I also wouldn't mind hearing from anyone who has
thought of or rejected the idea, and why. I would also like to hear some
ideas about the amount of space we would need to set aside for this, and
any advice about contracts and record-keeping. Or anything else I haven't
mentioned but should have.
TIA,
Anne T. Lane, Collections Manager
York County Culture & Heritage Commisssion

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