What are the responsibilities and job description for the Library Metadata and Moves Assistant, NHM Unlocked position at Venue Hire at the Natural History Museum, London?
About Us
We are a world-class visitor attraction and leading science research centre. We use the Museum's unique collections and our unrivalled expertise to tackle the biggest challenges facing the world today. We care for more than 80 million objects spanning billions of years and welcome more than five million visitors annually and 16 million visits to our website.
Today the Museum is more relevant and influential than ever. By attracting people from a range of backgrounds to work for us, we can continue to look at the world with fresh eyes and find new ways of doing things.
We employ 900 staff in a variety of roles, all united by our vision of a future where people and planet thrive. We need everyone to have the passion and drive to help us with our mission to create advocates for our planet and inspire millions to care about the natural world.
Diversity and inclusion matter to us.
Our vision is of a future where both people and the planet thrive. Diversity is one of our core values and we strive to build a workplace where everyone feels a sense of belonging. All new staff who join us learn about the importance of diversity and inclusion to the Museum and how to contribute to creating an inclusive environment.
We know we have more to do, but we are committed to ensuring that everyone who works at the Museum feels they can thrive and feel valued and respected.
About The NHM Unlocked Programme
Over 300 scientists based at the Museum tackle important global challenges, spanning mineral scarcity, food security and biodiversity loss. The Museum is globally renowned for excellence in science and research and championing digital capacity and innovation.
The Museum has been awarded a substantial government investment of £202m, to create a new science and digitisation centre at Thames Valley Science Park (TVSP) which is owned by the University of Reading. This is a once in a century opportunity to shape the future of the Museum, protect and share our unique collection and further our science.
The Programme comprises several major projects and workstreams and this role sits within the Moves Project.
Moves Project
The new centre will include a large collections store alongside new specialist laboratories and non-technical works spaces. As part of this development, the Museum will be moving over a third of its 80 million specimens and Library and Archive collections from its four sites (in London, Hertfordshire and Yorkshire) to the new site, plus undertaking substantial internal moves.
The physical moves are currently scheduled to take place from 2028, with an extensive programme of preparation prior to that, which has already commenced. This includes audit, documentation, stabilisation and rehousing, curation, and packing, among other activities.
About The Role
This is an exciting opportunity to work with an outstanding physical library collection and develop practical experience in a library environment. As a Library Metadata and Moves Assistant working on the NHM Unlocked project you will work as part of the Audit and Barcoding Team to help prepare Library collections prior to their move. The work involves systematically working through the library collections, auditing, cataloguing, itemising and recording conservation needs to ensure that we have an accurate record of Library holdings and that they are ready to move. Candidates should have an interest in Library and Information professional practice and enjoy systematic, detailed work. The role will provide the postholder with the opportunity to gain experience in a range of library and archive activities and training will be provided.
There are two posts available, one that ends 31st March 2028 and another that is a 9-month fixed term contract. Within your application, please specify which one you prefer.
About You
The post holder will work with the Audit and Barcoding Team to prepare library collections for relocation. The main purpose of the role will be to audit, barcode and upgrade the catalogue records for the physical items to ensure that we have an accurate record of the library collections prior to the move. The process will enhance discoverability and enable electronic circulation and tracking of the collection.
We are seeking candidates with previous experience in a library environment or similar, particularly those who have worked with physical book and journal collections, who are accustomed to continuous manual handling of collections and demonstrate careful attention to detail.
This post may be of interest to those wanting to gain experience before undertaking a professional qualification in archives or libraries. The post holder will be required to work at South Kensington and at our store in South London and will be required to be onsite full-time.
This role is based within the library and will not be suitable for applicants seeking a role as a museum, gallery or heritage professional (e.g. museum curator, gallery outreach and engagement officer, etc.)
Thriving at the Museum: the way we work
We are proud to work at the Museum and have identified the qualities we all need to embody to reach our shared ambition. This sits alongside the Museum’s values and forms the framework for the way we work.
Find out more here
What We Offer
Due to the nature of this role the work pattern will be 100% on site.
We are a world-class visitor attraction and leading science research centre. We use the Museum's unique collections and our unrivalled expertise to tackle the biggest challenges facing the world today. We care for more than 80 million objects spanning billions of years and welcome more than five million visitors annually and 16 million visits to our website.
Today the Museum is more relevant and influential than ever. By attracting people from a range of backgrounds to work for us, we can continue to look at the world with fresh eyes and find new ways of doing things.
We employ 900 staff in a variety of roles, all united by our vision of a future where people and planet thrive. We need everyone to have the passion and drive to help us with our mission to create advocates for our planet and inspire millions to care about the natural world.
Diversity and inclusion matter to us.
Our vision is of a future where both people and the planet thrive. Diversity is one of our core values and we strive to build a workplace where everyone feels a sense of belonging. All new staff who join us learn about the importance of diversity and inclusion to the Museum and how to contribute to creating an inclusive environment.
We know we have more to do, but we are committed to ensuring that everyone who works at the Museum feels they can thrive and feel valued and respected.
About The NHM Unlocked Programme
Over 300 scientists based at the Museum tackle important global challenges, spanning mineral scarcity, food security and biodiversity loss. The Museum is globally renowned for excellence in science and research and championing digital capacity and innovation.
The Museum has been awarded a substantial government investment of £202m, to create a new science and digitisation centre at Thames Valley Science Park (TVSP) which is owned by the University of Reading. This is a once in a century opportunity to shape the future of the Museum, protect and share our unique collection and further our science.
The Programme comprises several major projects and workstreams and this role sits within the Moves Project.
Moves Project
The new centre will include a large collections store alongside new specialist laboratories and non-technical works spaces. As part of this development, the Museum will be moving over a third of its 80 million specimens and Library and Archive collections from its four sites (in London, Hertfordshire and Yorkshire) to the new site, plus undertaking substantial internal moves.
The physical moves are currently scheduled to take place from 2028, with an extensive programme of preparation prior to that, which has already commenced. This includes audit, documentation, stabilisation and rehousing, curation, and packing, among other activities.
About The Role
This is an exciting opportunity to work with an outstanding physical library collection and develop practical experience in a library environment. As a Library Metadata and Moves Assistant working on the NHM Unlocked project you will work as part of the Audit and Barcoding Team to help prepare Library collections prior to their move. The work involves systematically working through the library collections, auditing, cataloguing, itemising and recording conservation needs to ensure that we have an accurate record of Library holdings and that they are ready to move. Candidates should have an interest in Library and Information professional practice and enjoy systematic, detailed work. The role will provide the postholder with the opportunity to gain experience in a range of library and archive activities and training will be provided.
There are two posts available, one that ends 31st March 2028 and another that is a 9-month fixed term contract. Within your application, please specify which one you prefer.
About You
The post holder will work with the Audit and Barcoding Team to prepare library collections for relocation. The main purpose of the role will be to audit, barcode and upgrade the catalogue records for the physical items to ensure that we have an accurate record of the library collections prior to the move. The process will enhance discoverability and enable electronic circulation and tracking of the collection.
We are seeking candidates with previous experience in a library environment or similar, particularly those who have worked with physical book and journal collections, who are accustomed to continuous manual handling of collections and demonstrate careful attention to detail.
This post may be of interest to those wanting to gain experience before undertaking a professional qualification in archives or libraries. The post holder will be required to work at South Kensington and at our store in South London and will be required to be onsite full-time.
This role is based within the library and will not be suitable for applicants seeking a role as a museum, gallery or heritage professional (e.g. museum curator, gallery outreach and engagement officer, etc.)
Thriving at the Museum: the way we work
We are proud to work at the Museum and have identified the qualities we all need to embody to reach our shared ambition. This sits alongside the Museum’s values and forms the framework for the way we work.
Find out more here
What We Offer
- 27.5 days holiday plus 8 bank holidays (full time equivalent)
- Generous defined contribution Natural History Museum Pension Scheme (employer contribution 4 - 10%)
- Season ticket, bicycle and rental loan
- Life insurance
- Free admission to our exhibitions and many other paid exhibitions at museums, galleries and institutions across London and the UK.
- Staff discount at our Museum shops and cafes
- We offer a wide variety of training initiatives and opportunities to build skills. Investing in staff development is important to us, and we are ambitious about helping staff to grow and fulfil their potential.
- Affordable membership to the Civil Service Sports Council which offers a range of benefits including an extensive list of special offers and reduced entry fees at a selection of cinema chains, theme parks, theatres, retailers and supermarkets. It also provides entry to up to 300 English Heritage sites and other national treasures. For more details, visit https://www.cssc.co.uk
- Membership to our Sports and Social Association (for a small fee), which includes access to our in-house gym and clubs such as football, softball, table tennis and tennis and classes in Middle Eastern dance, yoga and Tai Chi
Due to the nature of this role the work pattern will be 100% on site.
