SLV publishes ‘Ways of Working Commitment’
The State Library Victoria (SLV) has published a ‘Ways of Working Commitment‘, following last year’s duty of care review.
In its May newsletter, the Australian Society of Authors (ASA) noted that this documentation from the library includes ‘information on the State Library’s approach to freedom of expression and a statement from the board’.
This latest release follows a duty of care review initiated by the library in 2024, following cancellations of the SLV’s Teen Writing Bootcamp series, which was scheduled to feature writers Omar Sakr, Jinghua Qian, Alison Evans and Ariel Ries. These writers were told at the time that their services were terminated due to concerns over ‘child and cultural safety’.
In response, over 900 writers and industry professionals signed an open letter, and writers including Michelle de Kretser, Tony Birch, and Grace Yee announced they would be declining work from the library.
A subsequent report by the Age stated that SLV board members and senior staff discussed the writers’ political views, including but not limited to views on Gaza, following the release of documents under a freedom of information request.
Later in 2024, a duty of care review was commissioned via an independent consultant and released last July. In an August media release, the library stated it would adopt all recommendations from the report. In addition to the ‘Ways of Working Commitment’, the library has also released other related documents, including a ‘Freedom of Expression and Respectful Conduct Schedule’ and a curatorial statement.
The SLV described the new commitment as a ‘code of conduct that clearly outlines expectations and mutual obligations, for individually and collectively ensuring trust, understanding and responsibility in how we engage with each other within the library and externally with stakeholders’.
Citing values of respect, collaboration, engagement, innovation and excellence, the commitment lists a series of principles, parameters and practices it asks contractors to share in working with the library. One of the nine principles reads: ‘While engaged with the library (from signing of contract to completion), agreeing that if there is public expression of one’s personal views and opinions, it will be clearly stated that these views and opinions do not reflect or represent the views or positions of State Library Victoria, or any other person, company or organisation.’
Books+Publishing reached out to the writers originally affected by the bootcamp cancellations for their views on this development but at time of publication had not received comment.
‘Over the last year, we have heard from creators concerned about the contractual terms they have been asked to agree to for one-off engagements with a range of literary organisations,’ stated the ASA in its newsletter post discussing the ways of working document, noting that authors who feel ‘uncertain or uncomfortable’ about public appearance terms can contact the ASA.
Category: Local news
