The State Library of Victoria, one of the world's busiest libraries with nearly 3 million annual visitors, is facing a storm of protest over a management proposal to cut almost 40 jobs. The plan, which would more than halve the number of specialist reference librarians, has been condemned as a crude act of self-sabotage that betrays the institution's core mission.
A Personal and Public Outcry
The controversy has struck a deep chord with the library's many devoted users. For writer Gideon Haigh, the connection is lifelong, beginning with a visit at age 12. His experience is emblematic of the strong bond many Victorians feel with the institution. The proposed Strategic Reorganisation Change Proposal would see the number of reference librarians, already halved in 2019, reduced to just ten. This comes as the library ironically hosts an exhibition on misinformation, a battlefront where reference librarians are considered essential.
Management Under Scrutiny
Critics argue the plan reflects a fundamental misunderstanding of the library's purpose by its leadership. The board is dominated by professional services figures, and the role of chief librarian was abolished a decade ago in favour of a CEO. The current interim CEO, John Wicks, is an accountant with a background in galleries and museums, but not libraries. This shift in focus, detractors say, is evident in a growing preference for digital projects and event hosting over core library functions.
Recent decisions have raised alarm bells. These include the development of a flashy digital project about Ned Kelly, described by Haigh as "overblown digital pap," and the opaque tender process for the library's beloved ground-floor cafe, Mr Tulk. The lease was awarded to a large corporate catering group, displacing a popular independent operator.
The Value of Institutional Knowledge
The proposed cuts target the very heart of the library's service. Reference librarians possess centuries of combined institutional knowledge, guiding researchers, fixing equipment, and navigating the vast collection. Reducing their numbers to a skeleton staff threatens to transform the library from a living repository of knowledge into a mere "cultural destination" where books serve as scenery. As Haigh warns, the logical endpoint is "a library without librarians."
The implications extend beyond Melbourne. The situation at the State Library of Victoria is seen as a cautionary tale for public institutions everywhere. If such a revered and well-used institution can be hollowed out by managerialism, no public service is safe. The proposal has been labelled "so, so stupid" by prominent historian and podcaster Tom Holland after he toured the library, echoing the dismay of countless users and staff who see the plan as a profound mistake.
