National Tramway Museum

VACANCY INFORMATION

MUSEUM LIBRARIAN/ ARCHIVIST

Location: National Tramway Museum, Crich, Matlock, DE4 5DP

Closing date: 6th July 2026 (5pm)

Provisional interview date/s: To be confirmed

Role start date: August/ September 2026 – to be confirmed

Contract: Part-time - 16 hours per week. Ideally to be worked over 2 days per week, but this can be negotiated. There is some flexibility regarding the working pattern.

Salary: £12,373.33 per annum (Full Time Equivalent £29,000)

JOB TITLE: Museum Librarian/ Archivist

REPORTS TO: Curator

PRINCIPAL PURPOSE:

In addition to owning over 80 historic vehicles, the National Tramway Museum has an extensive library and archive collection with over 100,000 photographic images including prints, negatives, glass plates and commercial postcards relating to tramway systems around the UK and worldwide. We have archive collections including the company records of passenger transport operators, Acts of Parliament, tramway journals dating from the early 1900s to the present day, engineering drawings, and a reference library of published books. We also have a small collection of artefacts including uniform, decorative objects, memorabilia, and artwork.

Working as part of the Curatorial team, the Librarian/ Archivist will:

• Process new acquisitions to the collection, with a particular focus on the library and archive material.

Assist with working through the documentation backlog, with active input to collections review and rationalisation.

• Provide and enhance public access to resources contained within the collection.

• Ensure that relevant professional standards are maintained.

SCOPE OF WORK

1. Carry out accessioning, cataloguing and classification of collection materials using recognized standards, including the Dewey Decimal classification system. This will include maintaining and enhancing the museum’s electronic Collections Management System – Axiell Collections.

2. Ensure the appropriate filing and storage of catalogued items.

3. Assist with our collections review and rationalisation programme.

4. Provide access to the collections as required by external organisations and individuals, and support requests from Members, staff and volunteers internally. Respond to enquiries and facilitate the retrieval of material from the collection for research purposes, which may be provided remotely or in person.

5. Help us to develop new ways to engage audiences with the library and archive collection to increase the use of resources.

6. Identify potential volunteering opportunities within our library and archive collection; train, supervise and support volunteers working in the Curatorial Department.

7. As part of the Curatorial team, assist with the creation of physical exhibitions and online interpretation for the museum, and other special projects as part of the Curatorial Department work programme.

8. Assist with utilizing the library and archive collection to generate income, e.g. dealing with sales of photographic images – providing digital images, issuing invoices and licenses for use.

9. Participate in occasional public-facing activities at the Museum during special events, e.g. providing displays/ talking to visitors.

10. Attend internal and external meetings to represent the Curatorial Department, as and when required.

11. Undertake any other reasonable tasks as required.

BUDGETARY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Provide recommendations to the Curator for the purchasing of library/ archive material and equipment.

DIRECT REPORTS: Curatorial Department Volunteers

RELATIONSHIPS:

INTERNAL: All other Tramway Museum Society personnel and volunteers, particularly the Curator, Curatorial Assistant, Fundraising Manager, Marketing Manager, Learning Manager, Events Manager, Volunteer Co-ordinator.

EXTERNAL: Relevant external bodies and other heritage organisations; researchers and visitors to the Library; visitors to the Museum.

Person Specification: Museum Librarian/ Archivist

	Essential	Desirable
Qualifications / Training	A recognised qualification relating to Librarianship, Archive Administration, or similar, or significant demonstrable experience.
Experience	Experience of working with library and/ or archive collections. Use of one or more collections management systems to catalogue museum/ library/ archive collections. Knowledge of appropriate environmental monitoring, security and safe handling of museum/ library/ archive collections, in accordance with the appropriate professional standards. Experience of working with photographic collections and carrying out digitization.	Experience of working in a museum environment and knowledge of the Museum Accreditation Standard. Experience of undertaking review and rationalisation of collection material. Producing interpretive material for the public using historic collections, e.g. website blogs, physical displays. Interacting with members of the public: participation in public- facing events, dealing with research enquiries/ visits. Working with a charitable/ voluntary sector organization,
Skills/ Knowledge	An understanding of professional cataloguing standards in the library or archive sector. Able to communicate with people at all levels and in different situations.	including managing volunteers. Knowledge/ experience of how professional cataloguing standards apply in a subject specialist library. Knowledge of the Dewey Decimal classification system
	Organised and self-motivated; competent at prioritizing work to meet deadlines. An ability to work flexibly, including occasional weekend work.	Interest in social history/ transport history

How to Apply:

Please visit our website to download and complete the application form: https://tramway.co.uk/vacancies/ Alternatively, you can request an application form by email from: kate.watts@tramway.co.uk or telephone 01773 854338.

If you don’t feel you meet all the criteria, we would still encourage you to apply if you feel you have knowledge, experience, or transferable skills that would be relevant to this role.