State Library proposes major cuts to staff and services

1 day ago 5

The State Library of Victoria plans to halve the number of reference librarians it employs and significantly reduce services, including provision of computers for public use, causing widespread concern and anxiety for staff.

The library bills itself as one of the most visited libraries in the world, with more than 2.8 million people through its doors in 2024-25, and celebrates its 170th anniversary next year, but staff say a proposed restructure would decimate some core services.

The State Library plans to remove some computers available for public use.

Six staff members, who spoke to this masthead on condition of anonymity out of concern for their jobs, say proposed changes are outrageous. As outlined to staff by the library’s senior managers, they include cutting the number of reference librarians from 25 to 10, and dramatically reducing the number of computers available to the public – a critical service for disadvantaged people – from the current 25.

Four full-time collections staff would be axed, as well as three library officers, two children- and families-engagement officers, and two digital-access officers.

Three of the library’s five-member executive team who proposed the changes have been recently appointed and are in acting roles, including CEO John Wicks and head of collections Roxanne Missingham. Human resources manager Kath Brown, formerly of TAB, is acting chief operating officer.

None of the library’s seven board members and only two members of the current executive team have significant library experience.

A document called the SLV Strategic Reorganisation Change Proposal – seen by this masthead – outlines the proposed cuts and has been circulated to staff, but employees have not been told who conducted the review, or the rationale behind the recommendations.

“[Staff] are trying to stick up for the maintenance of basic services the library provides – retrieval of material, support with research, access to librarians, regular front-of-house services. What the library stands for is under attack and people who are standing up for the Victorian public’s needs and proper use of taxpayer money are putting themselves on the line,” one employee said.

“We are a library for everybody; it’s part of our charter,” said another. “People work here because they believe in the institution.”

Senior management argued removal of the public computers was to address safety issues, but staff disagree and want to maintain at least the current number of terminals. “Conversations about the proposals to remove public PCs have included phrases such as ‘those kinds of people’ and ‘the people who cause problems’,” said a staffer.

“Over the past two years [the library] has become more elitist, more repressive and less welcoming for anyone who differs from ‘the norm’. The assault on core ethics of a library continues to traumatise staff,” says another.

Of the library’s 290-odd staff, only 10 librarians will be available to work with the public. Before a major restructure 2019, 40 reference librarians worked front-of-house.

“It shows shocking incompetence and misunderstanding of what we do,” said one staffer.

John Wicks, previously the library’s chief operating officer, took over as acting CEO from Paul Duldig in August. Before joining the State Library in July 2023, Wicks was deputy director of museum operations at Hong Kong’s M+ Museum, and before that chief operating officer and chief financial officer at the Art Gallery of NSW.

Canberra-based Missingham, who retired as ANU’s librarian last year, has been appointed acting head of collections. Several staff told this masthead she commutes to Melbourne from Canberra and works three days a week.

Asked if Missingham did commute and if so, whether SLV paid for her fares and accommodation, the library declined to offer a specific answer.

The services provided by State Library Victoria would be dramatically reduced under a proposed restructure.

“The temporary leadership of the SLV are trying to push through major ideological changes to how and why the library serves Victorians ... without serious public consultation, showing disrespect for the public (who will lose services) and the knowledgeable and dedicated library staff who strongly advise against the proposed changes,” another source said.

The State Library’s opening hours have reduced significantly since the pandemic. In 2019, it was open Monday to Thursday from 10am-9pm, and Friday to Sunday from 10am-6pm. Now it opens 10am-6pm every day.

Under the Community and Public Sector Union enterprise agreement, staff must be informed about major restructures. “We’re supporting our members at the State Library through a proposed restructure,” union Victorian branch secretary Jiselle Hanna said.

“Librarians provide an important service for our community and unlock the insights and value of the State Library collection of more than 5 million items. This work needs the skill and knowledge of dedicated staff,” she said.

State Library Victoria sits within the state government’s Creative Industries Portfolio, overseen by Creative Victoria. Its main source of funding is state government, and it receives some philanthropic donations.

In response to questions about the issues raised by staff, a Victorian government spokesperson said: “The Library board and leadership are responsible for organisational and staffing matters.”

In a statement to this masthead, a State Library Victoria spokesperson said the organisation had an obligation to review its provision of services.

“We are currently reviewing how to best support the needs of our visitors, users, and the community now and into the future,” the spokesperson said. “We are consulting with staff and have shared a proposal for feedback; we value the professionalism, expertise and contribution of our staff and look forward to continuing to receive their input.

“Our approach to this process and the proposed changes is in line with our obligations under the Cultural and Creative Enterprise Partnership Agreement 2025.”

Previous management had, during several restructures in recent years, gotten rid of all the people who asked questions and were outspoken, said one former employee, who added that union members had been specifically targeted. “They want to turn it into a tourism destination,” says a current employee.

“It’s heartbreaking,” another employee said. “The library should be a safe place of knowledge and most importantly truth but under the current leadership it is not.”

The Booklist is a weekly newsletter for book lovers from Jason Steger. Get it delivered every Friday.