SLV responds to reports on cuts
State Library Victoria (SLV) has responded to reports of changes to its services and staffing.
On 21 November, the Age reported leaked details of cuts at SLV: “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.” Flinders University research associate Heather L Robinson also wrote about the cuts in the Conversation.
In a statement, a SLV spokesperson said, “State Library Victoria is aware of media reports about proposed changes to Library services that are inaccurate and misleading.”
SLV is “reshaping and modernising” its library services “in response to growing demand and the changing needs of the many and diverse communities to whom we provide an essential service”, said the spokesperson.
The SLV listed several points of clarification:
“We are proposing changes to librarian services to meet changing user demands for these services and expand our digital access, which includes investing in new skills and capabilities for our staff. The proposed changes support improved public access to our collections and retrieval times.
“State Library Victoria will continue, as we always have, to provide appropriate computer access for the public to assist with research and reference activity.
“The library’s executive has engaged and consulted extensively and in good faith with staff and the CPSU on the proposed changes. Our approach to this process and the proposed changes is in line with our obligations under the Cultural and Creative Enterprise Partnership Agreement 2025.”
The library spokesperson added, “The library is committed to upholding our important role as an essential service providing free and equal access to knowledge and information.
“The proposed changes reflect the library’s strong commitment to best serving the community now and into the future.”
Category: Local news
