Jean Arnot

Jean Fleming Arnot MBE (23 April 1903 – 27 September 1995) was an Australian librarian, trade unionist, activist for equal pay for women and feminist. She worked at the State Library of New South Wales from 1921 until her retirement in 1968.

Early life Jean Arnot was born in Pymble, New South Wales, on 23 April 1903. She attended Fort Street Girls' High School.

Career

Arnot's career at the State Library of New South Wales began with the role of temporary junior library assistant in March 1921. She became an active campaigner for equal pay for women from 1937 onwards.

Arnot progressed through a number of roles at the library, including cataloguing serials, Despite acknowledgement by the Library trustees of her achievements as Acting Mitchell Librarian during the absence of Phyllis Mander-Jones, Arnot was unsuccessful in applying for the position of Mitchell Librarian in 1958.

In 1961, Arnot was a member of the Australian delegation to the First International Conference on Cataloguing Principles, which was held in Paris.

Arnot retired as head cataloguer in 1968 after a distinguished career of over 47 years of service. Arnot was very active in both these associations.

Arnot died in Sydney on 27 September 1995, at the age of 92.