Principal Librarian

About the role

The Office of the Chief Justice is hiring a Principal Librarian, based in Supreme Court of Appeal Bloemfontein. This is a permanent post, paying R413,001 – R486,501 a year. How to apply: Applications can be sent via email to 2026/151/OCJ@judiciary.org.za Reference number to quote: 2026/151/OCJ Closing date: 09 November 2026 Use the new Z83 form and attach a detailed CV. Note: The Organisation will give preference to candidates in line with the Employment Equity goals.

Responsibilities

• Monitor the collection, cataloguing and publications of library materials within the court, identify and select the relevant material to be procured at the court library in accordance with library policies and guidelines, assess the relevance and currency of the library collection and make recommendations for additions, removals, or updates, organise and catalogue legal materials to ensure easy retrieval by legal professionals, apply appropriate classification systems and metadata to enhance the accessibility of the collection and barcoding of library material, monitor the usage of library information resources both hard copies and soft copies (online resources), monitor serial publications, receiving of amendments and updating of loose-leaf subscriptions and binders.
• Facilitate the submission of standing orders for the court, monitor the rendering of library and information services to judiciary, monitor circulation desk services and helpdesk roster, implement digital tools and technologies to enhance information retrieval processes, keep updated on emerging technologies relevant to legal research and library management and integrate into the library's operations, monitor the digital resources, including electronic databases, legal research tools, and online subscriptions, facilitate interlibrary loans to ensure access to materials not available within the court's own collection, monitor the circulation of delivered judgments in both PDF and Word version to publishers and external stakeholders on request, ensure the circulation of finalised judgments of interest to other judges, provide reference assistance and library awareness within the court, provide reference assistance to judges, lawyers, court staff, and the public, provide support with legal research, citation verification and locating relevant legal precedents, conduct training sessions for legal professionals on effective legal research methods and the use of legal databases, keep legal professionals informed about recent developments in the law through newsletters, alerts, and other current awareness services, advocate for the importance of the library within the court system and promote awareness of its resources and services.
• Coordinate and monitor effective library administration, coordinate library services staff meetings, provide support in the coordination of Library Committee meetings, provide support in the facilitation of online trainings by Juta, LexisNexis and Sabinet for judges, judges’ secretaries, registrars and law researchers, monitor quarterly budget allocations for the library, coordinate and monitor the procurement process with supply chain management for new purchases, monitor internal asset verification schedule and assets register, coordinate and monitor the disposal of approved library publications for donations.
• Supervision of staff.

Requirements

• A National Diploma in Library Science, Information Science or equivalent qualification at NQF level six (6) with 360 credits as recognised by SAQA.
• At least 2 years’ relevant experience in library services.
• Experience in a legal/law library will serve as an added advantage.
• Knowledge and skills:
• Knowledge of library and information science matters
• Library prescripts
• Legislation
• Procedures and processes
• Knowledge of online databases
• Understanding of information management and retrieval of information
• Skilled in research and analytical skills, communication (written and verbal), computer literacy (MS Office), planning and organising, accuracy and attention to detail.
• Interpersonal skills, problems solving, report writing, ability to work under pressure and independently.