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NATIONAL LIBRARY SOUTH AFRICA (NLSA)
 
The National Library of South Africa wishes to make the following appointment at its Cape Town Campus 
 
ASSISTANT LIBRARIAN 
Reference Number: 01/05/2021 
Salary scale: (R 220 221.00 – R 252 766.00) Total Cost-to-Company 
 
The objectives of the National Library of South Africa (NLSA) are to contribute to socio-economic, cultural, educational, scientific and innovative development by collecting, recording, preserving and making available the national documentary heritage and promoting an awareness and appreciation thereof, by fostering information literacy, and by facilitating access to the world’s information resources. 
 
The NLSA invites applications from suitably qualified persons for appointment on a full time permanent basis. The successful candidate will be based at our Cape Town Campus.


Purpose:
The Bibliographic Services and Collections Management (BSCM) Department is responsible for collecting all South African official publications through the Legal Deposit Act to aid in research by academics and learners. BSCM is responsible for collecting South African newspapers.

Minimum Requirements: 
 Library and Information Science qualification, a post graduate qualification in Library and Information Science will be an added advantage 
 Driver’s license 
 Minimum of three years of library experience 
 Thorough knowledge of MARC 21 and general working knowledge of other classification systems used in libraries 
 In depth knowledge of any Integrated Library Systems e.g. WorldShare Management Systems (WMS) 
 Proficiency with personal computers and standard computer applications, e.g. Microsoft Office Suite 

 
Key Performance Areas: 
 Knowledge and understanding of the NLSA’s Collection 
 Responsible for collecting all SA Official Publications (OPs) and accurately capturing them onto WMS World Share Acquisitions module 
 Add local Holding Record (LHR) of received OPs to bibliographic record/s on WMS World Share Acquisitions module 
 Update and create prediction patterns to serials (OPs) received and assign correct shelf numbers to received documents 
 Identify non-received issues and claim them from publishers 
 Identify and retrieve ceased titles and title changes 
 Identify and collect new titles and submit to Senior Librarian for cataloguing 
 Ensure that all Government and Provincial Gazettes are in order and reach the Reference Department on time 
 Compile accurate monthly statistics of all work done 
 Open and sort all incoming post in the work room on a daily basis 
 Send acknowledgement of receipt letters to various OP publishers 
 Carry out ad-hoc duties as required by the Senior Librarian 
 Answer telephonic queries relating to the Senior Librarian’s tasks in his/her absence 
 
NEWSPAPERS
 Responsible for collecting all South African newspapers through the Legal Deposit Act and capturing them into WMS World Share Acquisitions module 
 Add Local Holding Record (LHR) of received newspapers to bibliographic record/s on WMS WorldShare Acquisitions module 
 Ensure that the Reference Department receives duplicate newspapers daily 
 Identify non-received Issues and claim it from publishers 
 Identify and collect new titles and submit to the Senior Librarian for cataloguing 
 Identify and retrieve ceased titles and title changes 
 Answer telephonic queries relating to colleagues’ tasks in their absence 
 Responsible for maintaining accurate statistics of all work completed 
 
REQUIRED EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS 
 Excellent research and English writing skills 
 Ability to initiate and maintain co-operative working relationships with co-workers, supervisors, managers and with other libraries 
 Ability to work independently and deliver work within agreed timeframes with minimal direction and supervision 
 Ability to sort and order materials efficiently and systematically 
 Sound judgement and effective problem-solving skills 
 Accuracy and attention to detail 
 Ability and willingness to learn new skills 
 Ability to work successfully under sustained pressure and to creatively and positively respond to challenges 
 

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The NLSA is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer and reserves the right to not make an appointment. Appointments will be made according to our Employment Equity requirements. We encourage applications from people living with disabilities in particular. Prospective candidates may be subjected to competency assessments. 
 
Applications must be submitted on the prescribed application form obtainable from our website on www.nlsa.ac.za and must be accompanied by a Curriculum Vitae, Matric/Grade 12 certificate, proof of qualifications, copy of driver’s license, and a copy of Identity Document by e-mail to: recruitment@nlsa.ac.za. 
Please ensure that you quote the reference number in the subject line of your email. No applications from recruitment agencies will be accepted. 
 
CLOSING DATE: 31 May 2021 
 
Should you not receive any correspondence / communication from the NLSA one month after the closing date, please consider your application as being unsuccessful.