Research, Archives & Libraries
Full-time, 41 hours per week (including one hour paid lunch break)
Permanent
£35,928 per annum/ pro rata
Application deadline: 12pm (midday) on Wednesday, 22 October 2025
About the role:
This is an exciting opportunity to join the Research, Archives & Library team as an Information Librarian. You will work to support the library during a crucial period as the Museum navigates the growth and changes to the publishing industry.
During your day to day, you will manage and develop the Museum's e-library and print serial holdings, working to ensure the effective acquisition of material and availability of resources via the library management system and other e-platforms with your colleagues. You will also be responsible for the technical and financial management of subscriptions, print and electronic resources, supporting service delivery and more to the British Museum's library collection for staff and external researchers.
Key areas of responsibility:
* Support and develop the Museum's print and e-library holdings, undertaking evaluation of the collection as part of the lifecycle of acquiring and maintaining electronic resources.
* Administer subscriptions including acquisitions, licences and activating access within the library's resource discovery system, ensuring compliance with data protection and licensing conditions.
* Liaise with suppliers, process invoices and support value for money assessment in the development of appropriate acquisition workflows.
* Develop metrics and prepare clear reports that analyse print serials and e-resource usage data and compliance.
* Support the development of library systems, repositories, and processes, and participate in the evaluation, modification, and development of software, online databases and digital resources.
* Engage with British Museum and external stakeholders as well as regulatory groups to advocate, develop and report compliance with relevant technological developments and initiatives.
If this sounds like the right opportunity for you, then we'd love to hear from you. A full job description is available below; this details the key dimensions of the role and the person specification.
About you:
You will be able to provide a timely and effective customer-focused delivery with excellent attention to detail and the ability to be flexible and prioritise conflicting demands. You will also be able to evidence:
* A degree in librarianship or information management accredited by CILIP OR a degree in any subject followed by an accredited postgraduate qualification in information management OR equivalent experience with a CILIP qualification.
* Experience delivering and maintaining consistent library policies, processes, best practice, and regulatory standards for the management of library collections.
* Stakeholder management, providing advice and guidance.
* Oversight of E-Library Management Systems, access provision and regulation
* Participation in acquisition workflows and collection development
About the British Museum:
Founded in 1753, the British Museum's remarkable collection spans over two million years of human history and culture. The Museum is one of the leading visitor attractions and its world-famous collection includes the Rosetta Stone, the Parthenon sculptures, Egyptian mummies, the Admonitions Scroll, and the Amaravati sculptures.
The Museum offers a competitive benefits package including:
* Generous annual leave allowance of 25 days (rising to 30 days after 10 years' service) plus 2.5 privilege days and plus bank holidays
* Membership of the civil service defined benefit pension scheme (find out here what benefits a civil service pension provides).
* Free entry to a wide range of museums and exhibitions
* Participation in private and public Museum activities, including talks by leading curators from around the world and behind-the-scenes opportunities to learn how museums care for and manage their extraordinary collections
* Interest-free travel, bicycle and rental deposit loans
* Professional and personal development opportunities
* Employee Assistance Programme
* Discounts on food and gift shop purchases
Additional details:
For more information about this role, please see the job description.
The interviews are expected to take place on the week commencing 27th October 2025
If you have any additional needs that we should be aware of in order to support you with your application, please provide details to
The British Museum is committed to promoting equality of opportunity for all staff and job applicants. We aim to create a working environment in which all individuals can make best use of their skills, free from unlawful discrimination or harassment. We value the benefits that a diverse workforce brings to a Museum which represents world culture. The Museum is committed to ensuring that no job applicant suffers unlawful discrimination because of any protected characteristics. Our recruitment procedures aim to ensure that individuals are treated because of their relevant knowledge, skills and experience.
The Museum also adheres to the HMG Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) for pre-employment screening of Civil Servants.