Historic Melbourne Library Faces Staff Fury Over Digital-First Restructure
The State Library of Victoria, one of Melbourne's most cherished cultural institutions, is confronting significant internal conflict as management proposes cutting 39 positions in a major organisational shake-up. Staff members have openly criticised the plans, accusing library leadership of prioritising what they term "digital vanity projects" over the library's fundamental public service mission.
Core Services Slashed in Digital Push
Under the controversial proposal, the public-facing team of reference librarians would be dramatically reduced from 25 staff to just 10 positions. Additionally, numerous publicly accessible computers would be removed from service, despite their regular use by library visitors. Internal documents obtained by Guardian Australia reveal the restructure focuses heavily on "enhancing digital innovation" and delivering "a compelling digital experience" to users.
One anonymous staff member expressed deep concerns about the direction, stating that the digital initiatives don't involve expanding the digitisation of the library's vast collections. Instead, they focus on "luxury digital experimentation" that fails to address the actual needs of most library visitors. The staff member specifically referenced the Ned Kelly three-dimensional helmet project as an example of digital priorities misalignment, noting that most people visit the library for practical purposes like computer access, WiFi, and librarian assistance.
IT Outsourcing Raises Operational Concerns
The restructure proposes eliminating information technology roles responsible for core library operations, opting instead to outsource these critical functions. Staff members report that basic IT maintenance tasks are already suffering delays, with concerns mounting about how a fully outsourced team could manage the complex technological needs of the 171-year-old building while simultaneously expanding digital offerings.
Reference librarians have reportedly been operating with minimal resources for the past 18 months, according to staff accounts. Requests to fill vacant positions have frequently been delayed or denied, creating additional strain on remaining staff members who struggle to maintain service quality.
Union Condemns "Management Folly"
The Community and Public Sector Union Victoria has strongly criticised the proposed changes, with industrial organiser Jordi Gilmour stating that library management has failed to demonstrate how the institution would function properly under the new structure. Gilmore emphasised that "stripping away core library services to instead fund vague 'digital innovation' functions speaks to their inexperience in how world-class libraries are run."
The union has formally notified the library that it is in dispute, alleging that acting management has not fulfilled their consultation obligations under the enterprise agreement. CPSU Victoria state branch secretary Jiselle Hanna has challenged library executives to hold public meetings, allowing Victorians to voice their opinions about the future direction of their state library.
Despite the criticism, a State Library of Victoria spokesperson maintains that executive leadership has "engaged and consulted extensively and in good faith with staff and the CPSU" and that the proposed changes reflect the library's commitment to serving community needs both now and in the future. The spokesperson confirmed that public computer access for research and reference activities would continue to be provided.
