Librarian Jobs in Durban

The Durban University of Technology (DUT) is recruiting Librarians for its After-Hours Services in Durban. Four posts are advertised under this vacancy, and the successful candidates will coordinate and oversee library services outside normal operating hours, acting as the senior library representative on shift.

About the company and the work

DUT is a leading university of technology in South Africa, offering high-quality, market-relevant academic programmes across six faculties. It is a vibrant, multi-campus institution in Durban and Pietermaritzburg in KwaZulu-Natal, established in April 2002 through the merger of the former ML Sultan Technikon and Technikon Natal, with a heritage tracing back to 1907. The university operates across seven campuses and six faculties: Accounting and Informatics, Applied Sciences, Arts and Design, Engineering and the Built Environment, Health Sciences, and Management Sciences. This role sits within Teaching and Learning: Library Services, and covers after-hours operations — circulation and access services, first-line user support, supervision of staff and student library assistants on duty, operational incident management, and keeping the library safe, secure and orderly.

Role details and duties

The librarian will:

• Serve as the designated senior library representative during the assigned after-hours shift, completing opening, shift-handover and closing requirements, and verifying service-point, equipment, facility and staffing readiness.
• Coordinate daily work allocation and service-point coverage, respond to immediate operational priorities, apply business-continuity arrangements during system, power, facility or service disruptions, and report incidents, staffing gaps and service constraints to the Campus Librarian.
• Deliver and oversee circulation, membership, access, enquiry and directional services, and provide first-line assistance with library systems, catalogues, electronic databases, self-service equipment, printing and other approved user technologies.
• Resolve routine client queries, refer subject-specific research, teaching and learning support needs to the appropriate subject librarian or specialist service, apply access, borrowing and user-conduct rules fairly, and recommend practical service improvements.
• Coordinate duty rosters and allocate after-hours activities to employees and student library assistants, confirm attendance, punctuality, work allocation, service coverage and adherence to procedures, and provide on-shift guidance, coaching and immediate corrective direction.
• Monitor the after-hours library environment for safety, security, access-control, user-conduct and facility risks, liaise with Protection Services, Facilities Management and emergency services, coordinate the library response during evacuations, medical incidents, disruptive behaviour, suspected theft, building faults or other emergencies, and complete accurate incident reports.
• Operate approved library systems, monitor the availability of circulation, access-control and self-service technologies, capture and validate after-hours usage, circulation, enquiry, staffing, incident and service-interruption information, and prepare concise daily, weekly or monthly operational reports.
• Inspect public and staff service areas for operational readiness, report and track facilities, cleaning, technology, equipment and security faults, monitor the orderly use and protection of collections, spaces and equipment, and compile after-hours operational resource requirements.
• Maintain effective operational relationships with library colleagues, Protection Services, Facilities Management, ICTS and other campus support functions, and support service reviews, procedure updates, user communication and improvement initiatives.

Note that the role does not carry formal disciplinary, appointment or performance-rating authority unless specifically delegated in writing.

Requirements

Applicants should meet the following minimum requirements, as stated in the original advert:

• Bachelor’s degree or Advanced Diploma in Library and Information Science at NQF Level 7, or an equivalent relevant qualification.
• A minimum of three years’ relevant professional experience in an academic library, including at least two years’ experience in circulation, access or client services and demonstrated experience coordinating employees or student library assistants.

Where to find and apply safely

Apply only through the original Careers24 listing, using the Apply button on this page, which links to the original DUT advert. Applications for this vacancy close on 13 November 2026. The advert lists Ms. ZJ. Ngcobo as the contact person. Applications should include a fully completed prescribed application form (obtainable from the DUT website under QUICK LINKS), a detailed CV explicitly stating experience or knowledge in the fields mentioned in the advert, a covering letter, copies of all relevant academic records and certificates, an ID copy, a matric certificate, and current contact information of referees. Be wary of anyone asking for payment in exchange for a job, and never share banking details or passwords with a recruiter.

Practical tips

Make your CV explicit about your academic library experience, especially circulation, access and client services, and about any experience coordinating staff or student assistants on shift. Give examples of after-hours or shift work, incident handling, and work with library systems and electronic databases. Complete the prescribed DUT application form carefully, and attach every document the advert lists, since incomplete applications are a common reason for disqualification.

How the process works

Applications are submitted through the Careers24 listing for this vacancy. DUT notes that preference will be given to suitable candidates in accordance with the university’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Policy and its strategic objectives, and that it reserves the right not to make an appointment. Correspondence will only be made with shortlisted candidates, so if you do not hear back, consider your application unsuccessful. Successful candidates will be subject to background checks, including qualification verification, reference checks, criminal record screening, and lifestyle audits for financially related positions.

Important information

This post is for information only. It is not a job offer, and it does not guarantee employment. Always confirm the full details, including the closing date and requirements, in the original advert before applying.

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