Assistant Librarians – Heritage Asset Verification (Cape Town & Pretoria)

Positions Available:

• 14 x Assistant Librarians – Cape Town Campus
  
• 8 x Assistant Librarians – Pretoria Campus
  

About the Role

A national heritage institution is seeking multiple Assistant Librarians to support a major heritage asset verification and collection management project across its Cape Town and Pretoria campuses.

These positions involve hands-on verification of library and heritage materials, ensuring accurate records, maintaining order within stack rooms, and preserving the safety and integrity of valuable collections.

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct detailed asset verification using specialised scanning tools and systems.
  
• Verify collections against the heritage asset register.
  
• Perform shelf reading to ensure proper arrangement and correct filing order.
  
• Update, correct, and maintain library filing sequences as required.
  
• Work closely with Stack Management staff to investigate and trace missing, untagged, or misfiled items.
  
• Maintain a clean, organised, and safe working environment within stack rooms.
  
• Ensure the safety and careful handling of heritage materials always.
  

Technical & Tool Knowledge Required

• Familiarity with software applications and tools used in asset verification (e.g., barcode scanners, asset management software).
  
• Understanding of library filing and classification systems (e.g., Dewey Decimal, LC Classification, or equivalent).
  
• Ability to recognise and work with metadata fields in bibliographic records.
  
• Strong attention to detail and accuracy when handling high-value or fragile collections.
  

Preferred Attributes

• Methodical, organised, and detail-oriented.
  
• Comfortable working with large volumes of items.
  
• Able to follow established procedures and maintain consistent work quality.
  
• Works well in a structured environment with clear daily targets.
  

Minimum Requirements

• Previous experience in library operations, collections management, archives, museums, or similar environments (advantageous but not compulsory).
  
• Ability to perform physically active tasks such as shelving, scanning, and navigating stack rooms.
  
• Good communication skills and the ability to work within a supervised team structure