Specialist Librarian

State Library of New South Wales

Specialist Librarian (Identified)

Library Services Division | Cataloguing and Collection Services

Librarian Grade 2, Ongoing Full Time

Closing date for applications: 27 October 2025 at 10am.

• Unique opportunity to join one of NSW's leading cultural institutions to help share the invaluable stories of Aboriginal cultures.
• Competitive remuneration package up to $132,584 p.a. (package includes salary between $103,089 - $116,969 p.a., plus employer's contribution to superannuation and annual leave loading

Meet our Indigenous Engagement Librarian – Click to hear Melissa's story

To be considered for this position, you must be Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander. Aboriginality is a genuine occupational qualification under section 14 (d) of the Anti-Discrimination Act 1977.

About the Role

The role is based within the Cataloguing and Collection Services Branch but works across the Library to analyse, interpret, arrange and describe complex information resources across all formats to provide effective reader access to, and discovery of, the Library's collections including those related to the culture and heritage of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islanders.

The role provides advice and support to a diverse range of internal and external stakeholders on all aspects of collection acquisition, description, retention, management and discovery of Indigenous and non-Indigenous collections. This includes applying specialist knowledge on Indigenous collections to ensure that all work meets culturally appropriate best practice standards.

The role also works with the Indigenous Engagement Branch and external Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and communities to make collections accessible, observing relevant protocols and cultural sensitivities.

The Ideal Candidate

The library is seeking an Aboriginal librarian with a background in cultural heritage, who is passionate about preserving and sharing diverse collection. To be successful in this role, you will have the following knowledge and experience:

• Substantial experience in managing the description of original or published materials, both analogue and digital, in a library environment.
• Knowledge and practical experience applying the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Library and Information Resource Network (ATSILIRN) Protocols and other relevant guidelines and Indigenous Knowledge Frameworks
• Aboriginality and demonstrated ability to work effectively with Indigenous people and communities.
• Qualifications acceptable for professional membership of the Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA) and/or Australian Society of Archivist (ASA), 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.

How to apply

To apply for this role please complete the online application and provide the following:

• An up-to-date copy of your CV
• A response to the following questions. Attach your responses as part of your online application and/or as part of a cover letter (up to two pages) outlining how your skills and experience meet the key knowledge and experience and essential requirements for the role.

Please keep question responses to a maximum of 3 paragraphs and respond to the shortlisting questions in your own words - we're looking to understand your perspective, not answers generated by AI tools.

1. Are you Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander? Aboriginality is a genuine occupational qualification under section 14 (d) of the Anti-Discrimination Act 1977.
2. This role involves significant engagement with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and communities regarding collection access and cultural sensitivities. Describe your experience and approach to working respectfully and effectively with Indigenous communities, highlighting any specific protocols or considerations you deem essential in a library context.
3. The role requires appraising and describing complex collection materials across a range of formats. Provide an example from your experience where you successfully appraised or described a particularly challenging collection, outlining the steps you took, the formats involved, and how you ensured accurate rights management or access protocols were applied.

Please visit iworkforNSW for more information about this opportunity and to apply Req497 Specialist Librarian (Identified)