Library Assistant

The Research Library and Archives is a specialist art library responsible for collecting and providing access to significant publications and original material from the national collection including archives and special collections. We have recently entered an exciting period of change, providing the opportunity to innovate modes of access, and harness our wealth of materials.

As the Library Assistant, you will work under the direction of the Librarian to assist in managing Special Collections and Reference Library materials, enhance discoverability of resources, and support general library operations. You will have the opportunity to work on discrete collections projects, such as ephemera processing, collection acquisition assessments, and rehousing of materials.

The Library Assistant will be based at the National Gallery in Parkes but may be required to work at our offsite storage facility on occasion.

This is a full-time, non-ongoing employment opportunity for a 24-month period which may become ongoing.

In accordance with the APS 4 work level standards, you will:

• Provide reader services, including directional and facility enquiries, circulation, use of online and physical resources, visitor bookings, and undertaking research for staff and external reference enquiries
• Follow relevant procedures and guidelines to process Reference Library and Special Collections materials
• Assist with the provision of bibliographic services including creating catalogue records to Resource Description and Access (RDA) and internal standards, adding holdings and items, and improving the discoverability of resources in the Library Management System
• Undertake short-term Reference Library or Special Collections projects with a defined scope, as directed by the Librarian
• Provide guidance regarding standard Research Library and Archives operations, procedures, guidelines and policies as needed
• Assist with general collection maintenance including shelving, filing and cascading under best practice manual handling principles
• Assist the Library Technician with general library administration
• Assist the Librarian, Archivist or Library Manager as required

Citizenship – To be eligible for employment with the Gallery, you must be an Australian citizen. 

Police Check – to be eligible for this role you must complete a police check.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION - Qualifications, Certifications and Registrations 

Role specific mandatory qualifications /certification and/or registrations include:

• Qualifications in, or progress towards, library and archive studies or relevant experience with museum/gallery/special libraries is desirable
• Qualifications in or knowledge of art history and theory or visual arts is desirable

HOW TO APPLY

To apply for this role please go to the National Gallery's Careers portal.

You should provide a tailored CV (maximum of three pages) along with a statement of no more than two pages that outlines your skills, capabilities and experience, against the information above. 

In your statement response you should keep in mind the capabilities and behaviours required to be successful for this role, as identified in the information above. Try not to duplicate information that can be found in your CV but do highlight any specific examples or achievements that demonstrate your ability to perform the role.

An order of merit or merit pool, may be established from this selection process and may be used to fill future identical vacancies over the next 18 months. Selection may be based on application and referee reports only. If you do not wish to be added to an order of merit, please notify us in your application.