Working in the National Library of Ireland
The National Library of Ireland employs over 100 staff at a number of premises in Dublin city centre.
There is a wide variety of roles in the NLI, from working with our collections, exhibitions and events, to human resources, finance, marketing, information technology, conservation, education, building maintenance and security. Our teams are responsible for working together to deliver the NLI’s strategy.
Additionally, we offer a number of studentships and internships to suitable applicants opportunities for graduate students each year. Our Studentships are advertised via our Current Opportunities section, below.
Employee Benefits
Pay and Benefits
- Competitive salary, paid weekly or fortnightly depending on Grade, with annual increments subject to satisfactory performance
- Paid Sick Leave (subject to certain thresholds)
- Paid Maternity/Paternity Leave
- Auto enrolment to a Public Service pension scheme
Annual Leave
All roles at the NLI provide annual leave in excess of the statutory minimum of 20 days per annum for full-time employees, in addition to 10 Public Holidays and Good Friday.
Flexible Working
The NLI operates blended working for suitable roles, up to a maximum of three days' remote working per week.
We offer Flexible Working Hours (flexitime) for suitable roles at grades up to and including Assistant Keeper, Grade 1.
Access to request a range of Flexible Working arrangements including the Shorter Working Year Scheme and Workshare / Reduced Workpattern
Special Leave
NLI employees may avail of a wide range of leave types, in line with Public Service Circulars. These include:
- Adoptive Leave
- Carer's Leave
- Career Break
- Maternity Leave
- Paternity Leave
- Parents Leave
- Parental Leave
- Study Leave
- Special Leave
- Domestic Violence Leave
Employee Schemes
NLI employees may apply for:
- Tax Saver Travel Pass for annual public transport passes deducted direct from salary
- Cycle to Work scheme
- Visual Display Unit eye test scheme
Locally, NLI employees can avail of discounts in a number of local businesses and for membership of the Trinity Sports Centre at TCD.
Development
The ePMDS (Performance Management & Development System) facilitates ongoing developmental conversations between the employee and their manager.
The NLI operates the Refund of Fees Scheme for educational support for third-level and further education and encourages applications under this scheme.
The NLI offers reimbursement of annual professional membership fees (these may be subject to BIK).
Health and Wellbeing
The NLI runs a rolling Wellbeing series of talks and seminars, with invited speakers and groups across a broad range of topics.
NLI employees have access to a dedicated Employee Assistance Officer through the Civil Service Employee Assistance Service (CSEAS).
The NLI partners with the CSEAS, which provides support for employees and managers in their wellbeing in the workplace and beyond.
The NLI is a signatory organisation of the Safe to Create Code of Behaviour, and through this our employees have access to the Minding Creative Minds initiative.
Training is provided in-house on Health and Safety topics.
Occupational Health referrals and advice are provided by the Office of the Chief Medical Officer.
Application Procedures
The application process for posts in the NLI will vary according to the specific position or type of competition.
The recruitment process may comprise of several stages, including but not limited to short-listing based on the information submitted, presentation, and competitive interview(s).
See below for all the current opportunities at the NLI.
The National Library of Ireland is an equal opportunities employer.
Each year, the National Library of Ireland offers a limited number of studentships and internships to suitable applicants.
Our students carry out work and research to support the NLI’s work in a variety of fields.
The NLI has partnered with a number of bodies and organisations since the programme commenced in 1999. The UCD School of Library and Information Studies, the UCD School of History, the Irish Committee of Historical Sciences and the Heritage Council of Ireland are integral to running this valued offering each year.
Our studentships and internships are paid roles typically running from October each year, for a 12-month period.
This is a wonderful opportunity for students and interns to develop their future careers. Since 1999, the NLI has supported more than 70 studentship and internship holders.
The NLI library studentship is awarded to a graduate who wishes to gain experience of working in a library in advance of undertaking a postgraduate course in librarianship. The UCD School of Library and Information Studies assists the NLI selecting suitable candidates. The NLI library studentship is the NLI’s most significant contribution to the development of librarianship in Ireland.
The NLI archival studentship is awarded to a graduate who wishes to gain experience of archival work prior to pursuing a post-graduate qualification in archival studies. The UCD School of History assists the NLI in selecting suitable candidates. The student gains practical experience of archival work, including skills and training which are fundamental to the work of a professional archivist.
The NLI research studentship is awarded to advanced graduate scholars of Irish history. The award process is conducted with the assistance of the Irish Committee of Historical Sciences. Recipients of this studentship have the opportunity to acquire an in-depth understanding of the work of the NLI, and knowledge of the unique collections in the NLI’s care. Their work greatly contributes to an informed understanding of the NLI’s role within the Irish research community.
In addition, we offer a conservation internship in partnership with the Heritage Council of Ireland. Combining studio practice and research, this internship is part of the Heritage Council’s commitment to the promotion of best practice for conservation in Ireland. The intern, a recent graduate of a recognised book and/or paper conservation training programme, works alongside experienced conservators in the NLI’s conservation studio on a variety of collections from the NLI’s manuscript, printed and visual collections. The intern is encouraged to publish and present their work to different and diverse audiences.
Our Studentships are advertised via our Current Opportunities section, below.
