Specialist Librarian

**State Library of New South Wales**

**Specialist Librarian (Librarian Grade 2)**
**Collection Acquisition and Curation**
**Full time, ongoing role**
- Unique opportunity to join one of NSW's leading cultural institutions
- Competitive remuneration package up to $117,436 p.a. (package includes salary between $92,536 - $104,994 p.a., plus employer’s contribution to superannuation and annual leave loading)

**About this opportunity**:
The Collection Acquisition and Curation (CA&C) Branch is responsible for the two main streams of curatorial activity: developing and shaping the State Library’s collections across all format types; and collection analysis, interpretation and promotion.

Working in collaboration with other Branches across the Division, the Branch coordinates and implements the Collection Development Policy and other collection related strategies and policies, conducts collection research to develop and promote the Library’s collections, and provides expert collection advice and interpretation for readers, to meet the overall strategic requirements of the Library.

You will work in a dynamic, busy team that appraises, selects, and recommends material for acquisition. You will work with original and published materials with a focus on both physical and born digital collections.

You will also have the opportunity to work with the Library’s significant and unique collections, using your expertise and resourcefulness to develop exhibitions, deliver public programs, or prepare articles for both online and print publication. You will have an interest in Australian history and culture and a strategic and proactive approach to acquisition and curatorial work.***

**About you**:
You will have high level communication and negotiation skills, as a key aspect of our work involves building and managing relationships with vendors, donors, and stakeholders. This role requires lateral thinking, problem solving, self-management, and an aptitude for technology including the capacity to manage born digital collections.

To be successful in this role, you will have the following:

- Experience in managing the selection, acquisition and interpretation of archival and digital materials - both published and unpublished - in a library or cultural institution.
- Experience with collection management and knowledge of Library archival collections.
- Experience in interpreting and presenting collections to a wide range of audiences.
- Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written.
- Ability to manage a busy workload with competing demands; maintain productivity and meet deadlines.
- Adept with technology and capacity to manage born digital collections.
- Initiative and excellent problem-solving skills; ability to work independently and collaboratively to deliver the team’s objectives.
- Qualifications acceptable for professional membership of the Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA), or other combination of qualifications and experience deemed by the State Librarian to be equivalent that meets the minimum standard of skill and knowledge inherent in the ALIA standard.

**About the State Library**:
The State Library of New South Wales is one of Australia's oldest and most important public institutions. Collecting actively since 1826, the Library preserves and presents the social, cultural and scientific history of our State and our Nation for the benefit of all. Its rich collections, both physical and digital, alongside partnerships with the public library network across NSW and other vibrant collaborations enable Australians to examine their past and imagine their future. In short, the Library occupies a unique position at the very heart of our civil society.

**What we offer**:

- Flexible working conditions, including the ability to work extra hours where required over several days or weeks and then reclaim those hours as time off.
- Professional development opportunities, including study support and targeted training programs to further develop in your career.
- Exceptional work environment located in the heart of the CBD, with ergonomic workstations and dedicated staff breakout spaces overlooking Macquarie Street or the Domain.
- Wellbeing initiatives including an Employee Assistance Program, flu vaccinations, gym programs and staff discounts at the Library café and bookshop.
- Staff engagement activities, such as workplace committees, a staff suggestion scheme, and all staff actively participating in the development of the Library’s Strategic Plan.

**How to apply**:

- A response to the following questions.
- An up-to-date copy of your CV

Please keep your question responses to a maximum of 3 paragraphs (under 800 words)
- Give an example of a challenge you have faced in the course of acquiring collection material for a library or cultural institution. What were the main considerations and how did you resolve any problems that arose?
- Detail an example of how you have promoted