About the Australian Museum
The Australian Museum (AM) operates within the NSW Department of Premier and Cabinet, is the first museum in Australia and was founded in 1827. The AM provides access, engagement and scientific research to increase our understanding of natural history and culture, particularly of the Australasian region. The AM holds more than 21 million objects of biological, geological and cultural collections and develops programs, exhibitions and school and community education initiatives onsite, online and offsite.
The AM mission is: To ignite wonder, inspire debate and drive change.
The AM vision is: To be a leading voice for the richness of life, the Earth and culture in Australia and the Pacific. We commit to transform the conversation around climate change, the environment and wildlife conservation; be a strong advocate for First Nations’ culture; and continue to develop world-leading science, collections, exhibitions and education programs. For more information, visit the website.
For on the AM Library visit the website: https://australian.museum/learn/collections/museum-archiveslibrary/
About the Role
The Digital Librarian works within the Australian Museum’s Collections Enhancement Project (CEP) to plan, coordinate and deliver Library, Rare Books and Archives Collection digitisation projects. They are responsible for embedding and exploiting digital tools and approaches to allow researchers and the public to access and use the library and archives special collections (artworks, manuscripts, photographic collections, and rare and historic published works) in the digital environment, and to preserve and manage these unique collections far into the future.
About you
We are looking for an experienced heritage/special collections librarian with recent planning, reporting, and coordination experience in a large-scale project involving the digitisation of heritage and/or scientific collections including books, journals, manuscripts and audiovisual and photography collections.
You are a digitisation specialist with high level understanding and recent in-depth experience of library and collection management standards and workflows, including the creation, editing and management of collection, technical and contextual metadata and digital asset management requirements. It would be great if you have hands on experience with FIRST LMS, Fotware and EMu or other library and museum object collection management systems.
You are solutions focused, and able to see and exploit future opportunities for workflow and system efficiencies, internal and external collaboration, and digital access initiatives as they arise. You seize opportunities to serve the library’s established user base and also to promote our collections to wide, new audiences using existing and new digital technologies and channels.
The AM’s Research Library is the oldest working scientific library in Australia. You will have an appreciation of the role of a specialist library within a museum; and the special requirements for the management of rare books and special collections in a museum context. Since the role often coordinates digitisation projects for the AM Archives collections, you have some understanding of archival management methodologies and processes and the importance of preserving collection documentation and museum histories in a variety of formats.
You are curious, flexible, and able to communicate and contribute across all levels of the museum. You are a valued team member as well as a team-builder, a coach for less experienced staff, and a team leader.
You understand Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander protocols and cultural frameworks as they apply to published and unpublished as well as museum objects. You work with First Nations staff to embed cultural connection in everything we do.
Essential Requirements
- Qualifications acceptable for librarian membership of the Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA) or other equivalent qualifications and experience.
- At minimum of three years’ relevant experience in a similar role, with digitization, digital workflow, and digital asset management experience.
Knowledge & Experience
- Advanced knowledge and understanding of library and information management concepts, principles and theories, including innovations in information and communication technology, with knowledge of emerging trends and opportunities.
- Experience with library management systems (FIRST preferred) and understanding of museum collection management systems (Emu preferred) and DAMS (Fotoware preferred).
- Understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural protocols (ICIP) as they apply to digitisation workflows, accessibility and museum practice.
- The successful applicant will be subject to a national criminal records check.
For more information or to apply visit: JobsNSW.
