Local Studies Librarian

About Us

City of Ryde, just 12 kilometres from Sydney CBD, is a place of unique lifestyle and opportunity. It is home to an engaged and culturally diverse community of around 130,000 people, and a strong and growing Smart City economy including more than 13,000 local businesses, Macquarie Park, world-class hospitals, and a leading university. All balanced with beautiful bushland, riverfront parks, open spaces, and sport facilities.

Our council delivers a broad range of services, projects, programs, and events. We are actively committed to innovation, sustainability, resilience and providing exceptional customer experiences, and this relies on attracting and keeping great people. We offer a range of benefits, including health and wellbeing programs, a learning and development program including study support, and a reward and recognition program.

The City of Ryde Libraries provides a space for our communities to imagine, connect and learn. The Library Service operates across five branches including Ryde, North Ryde, Eastwood, West Ryde and Gladesville as well as a significant online library. Our libraries are vibrant, contemporary and welcoming places in the local community. City of Ryde Libraries continue to innovate and strengthen our services with an emphasis on engaging our diverse community and providing public libraries that support the cultural, educational, recreational and information needs.

About the Role

Reporting to the Senior Coordinator Library Programs and Marketing, the Local Studies Librarian, known internally as Programs Librarian Local Studies will strive to maximise community satisfaction with City of Ryde Libraries through the management and delivery of high-quality local and family history collections and research services.

The library operates in a team environment. The role involves extensive collaboration with Library teams and other areas of Council to deliver strategic objectives and initiatives.

Your commencing annual salary will range from $84,308.22 to $ superannuation, dependent on the skills, qualifications and relevant experience of the suitable candidate.

About You

Are you passionate about engaging with diverse communities? Do you take pride in providing accessible and comprehensive historical research services and collections?

We are seeking an experienced team and project leader for Local Studies within the Library Programs Team. In this role you will combine your passion and experience in historical research with your expertise in community engagement and collection management to deliver high quality local and family history services to the City of Ryde community. You will develop and foster strong relationships with your team and with internal and external partners to innovate and maintain library collections and services.

Key responsibilities include:

• Development, curation and management of the Local Studies and family history collections to maintain and improve access to Local Studies collections, both physical and digital, and to lead the innovation and growth of these collections
• Establishment and maintenance of relationships with relevant City of Ryde staff and key stakeholders, including professional networks, relevant committees and community groups and individual members of the community.
• Management of projects relating to the development of the Local Studies collection and available services, including actively acquiring materials that reflect and preserve the diversity and stories of the City of Ryde
• Raising awareness of Local Studies collections through promotional activities, training and displays, including through collaboration with other Library and Council teams
• Assistance in identifying and applying for external grant opportunities relevant to Local Studies.
• Provision of training in the Local Studies collection and its services for library staff, City of Ryde staff and researchers from the community.
• Provision of professional and responsive customer and information services
• Provision of leadership for customer service shifts when assigned as Shift Supervisor
• Contribution to and support of the achievement of library service goals as identified in City of Ryde's strategic and planning documents
• Recruit, develop projects for and supervise volunteers

Key Requirements

• Degree or Postgraduate Diploma in Library and Information Science or equivalent recognised by the Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA)
• Substantial experience in the delivery of local studies and family history library services
• Excellent interpersonal and customer service skills
• Demonstrated experience and understanding of technology related to local studies, including library management systems and digitisation practices
• Current Working with Children Check
• Class C Drivers Licence

Culture & Benefits

• Enjoy a rostered day off accrued every 3 weeks
• Long service leave after 5 years, then accrued monthly
• 18 weeks paid parental leave
• 3 extra grant days at Christmas to ensure you have time to enjoy the holiday
• Annual performance reviews and Award increases
• Opportunity to sign up as a fitness passport member
• Various health & well-being initiatives (i.e. flu vaccinations, skin checks, etc.)

How to apply

Apply now using our fast, easy to use on-line application process. In addition to answering the on-line application questions shown below, you will need to attach your Resume to complete the application process. Please note, you are not required to submit a separate cover letter or a statement addressing selection criteria.

Closing Date: 11:59pm Sunday 2 November 2025

If you would like to know more, please see the Position Description or contact Ellen Worgan on for a confidential discussion.

City of Ryde is committed to Equal Employment and Child Safety