2010 Graduate Recruitment Program

National Library of Australia

Graduates: would you like a career in Australia's National Library?

A career at the National Library will give you the opportunity to make a meaningful contribution to the collection and care of a comprehensive record of Australian history and endeavour. You will also take an active role in assisting the public to use and understand the Library’s collection.

There is a fabulous range of career opportunities in this one organisation: you might be researching the provenance of an exquisite 18th century First Fleet watercolour, flow-charting steps in a document supply system, arranging for an Australian folk-singer to be recorded, answering reference inquiries from the other side of the world on-line and in real time, digitising images for a national touring exhibition, acquiring and cataloguing in Korean unique books in our extensive Asian Collection, or providing access to one of the hundreds of thousands of maps we hold.

Library staff work on a whole range of innovative projects, including newspaper digitisation, on line delivery of oral history recordings, harvesting digital images from Flickr, and creating mash ups of the Library’s catalogue with content from user generated tags and sources such as LibraryThing and Wikipedia. We collaborate extensively with other cultural institutions and libraries, using new technologies such as blogs, wikis, del.icio.us and Twitter to enhance communication.

You will be offered nine months of different work placements, providing you with the opportunity to experience a range of different jobs and work environments within the Library. You will also be supported to achieve a Diploma of Government and gain skills and experience in key information management specialities, including cataloguing skills. You will be offered a position within one of the core divisions of the Library, which can form a solid basis for a varied career.

You will enjoy a working environment that is challenging and rewarding, but also supportive and collaborative. You will have the support of a mentor, a buddy when you first begin and networking opportunities with other graduates within the Library and in the Canberra public service. You will join an organisation that offers excellent working conditions, competitive remuneration, leave for recreation and personal purposes and opportunities for further development and training.

Who are we seeking?

We are seeking graduates in the following fields:

  • Cultural heritage studies
  • Social sciences or humanities
  • Australian studies, Asian studies
  • Information management, library, archives or museum studies
  • Public administration

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About us

Our objective is to ensure Australians have access to a national collection of library material to enhance learning, knowledge creation, enjoyment and understanding of Australian life and society

Our collections take many forms. These include books and serials, manuscripts, pictures, maps, music, oral histories and digital items, reflecting the nation’s diversity. Our first priority is to ensure that a representative record of Australian life is collected and preserved for the future.

We support creative and intellectual endeavour and the wide dissemination of ideas and information. We have a national focus and are committed to taking a leadership role in the Australian cultural community.

Our key challenge over the next decade is to continue to harness the benefits of new technologies to provide the Australian community with quick and easy access to our resources. We are working at the cutting edge in many areas - digitisation, digital preservation and virtual reference.

We employ some 480 staff who specialise in a wide variety of functions ranging from information management through to marketing and system development. The National Library of Australia is a statutory authority within the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts portfolio.

We recognise the important contribution our staff make towards meeting our goals and offer a satisfying and rewarding work environment. The Library values creative, innovative staff with a demonstrated commitment to excellence. We welcome diversity, including diversity of educational background and cultural heritage. Staff of the Library enjoy competitive salary rates, training and development opportunities. Flexible employment conditions help staff combine work and family responsibilities.

Location

The National Library is located in the Parliamentary Triangle of Canberra. It is situated on the shores of Lake Burley Griffin and is within close proximity to Manuka, Kingston and the city centre. See map

If you are relocating from interstate, the National Library can help with relocation costs and past graduates are always happy to share their experiences and assist you to settle in.

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Living and working in Canberra

Canberra

Canberra is a fantastic place to live and work, offering the benefits of both city and country lifestyles. It's close to nature reserves and mountains, and a great base for visiting the snowfields and the beach. It offers fine dining, nightlife, theatre and shows, galleries and museums and plenty of opportunities for sport and hobbies. In a city of about 320,000 people, living in Canberra is clean, safe and convenient for singles and families. The housing vacancy rate is low, thus rental accommodation can be hard to find, and some graduates have found it convenient to share accommodation. The road system is excellent, with a good public transport system and an outstanding cycle path network.

Here are some links to sites that will help you find out more:

Eligibility

To be eligible to join the Library’s Graduate Program you need to satisfy the following requirements:

  • Minimum three year undergraduate degree
  • Australian citizenship
  • Character check and security clearance
  • Medical fitness requirements for engagement as an ongoing employee
  • Willingness to live in Canberra

Conditions of employment

The Library is part of the Australian Public Service. Information on our conditions of employment can be accessed here

You will initially be employed as a Graduate and be automatically advanced to an APS3 after your final rotation and the successful completion of your training and development program. During the Program you will be paid $47,531 per annum and your annual salary after advancement will be $52,427.

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What we expect of graduates

We expect you to:

  • be committed to the objectives and strategic directions of the Library.
  • be prepared to make a contribution to the ongoing work of the Library.
  • approach your work with curiosity, innovation and enthusiasm.
  • consider your involvement in the Program as a first step in your career and to treat each work rotation and your initial post-program placement as learning opportunities.
  • take personal responsibility for the quality of your own learning, development and career.
  • work within the ethical standards of Australian Public Service, particularly in relation to the APS values, Code of Conduct and professional etiquette.
  • attend and participate at training and other events, be aware of the employment framework in which you work, and satisfactorily attend and perform on the job.

How to apply

Applications for the 2010 Graduate Program closed on 17 May 2009 .

 

Graduate selection and criteria

On receipt of your application form and online resume the Library will then assess your suitability for the 2010 Graduate Program. The Library may conduct interviews, assessments and/or other forms of selection after the receipt of applications.

The selection criteria for graduates are:

  • Knowledge of and commitment to the work of the Library and its strategic objectives
  • Enthusiasm, initiative and personal drive, including an interest in learning new tasks
  • Innovative thinking and problem solving skills
  • Communication, liaison and teamwork skills and qualities
  • Commitment to customer service and a collaborative approach
  • Willingness to undertake a learning and development program
  • Preparedness to make a contribution to the ongoing work of the library.
  • Leadership potential
  • Ability to learn quickly and embrace emerging web-based technologies

Job offers

It is anticipated that offers for Graduate employment with the National Library will be made in November 2009, with Graduates commencing employment in February 2010.

Further information

For further information on the Library's Graduate Recruitment Program please email the Library's Recruitment Officer at recruit@nla.gov.au or phone 02 6262 1226.

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