Defending the State Library of Victoria
The Victorian Government has proposed a restructure of the State Library of Victoria. They describe it as an integral part of a program of modernisation and efficiency, designed to streamline services and adapt to contemporary needs.
In operational terms, the number of reference librarians will be reduced from 25 to 10, children’s and family engagement officers and digital access staff will be eliminated, and free public computer access will be significantly cut back. Core IT services are to be outsourced, with management arguing this will improve continuity and support digital innovation. Ministers have spoken of “efficiencies” and “synergies,” suggesting the changes will reduce duplication and broaden community engagement by increasing use of library spaces for events. In total, about 39 positions are expected to be lost under the plan.
The proposed changes have been widely criticised and there are good grounds for the concerns raised. I encourage members to consider the situation and if they are concerned, to please raise the matter directly with their State Local Member.
The Victorian Government has announced a sweeping restructure of the State Library of Victoria. The government’s plan amounts to a hollowing out of the library’s core services and its civic mission.
Under the plan, reference librarians will be cut from 25 to just 10, leaving far fewer specialists to guide researchers and the public. Children’s and family engagement officers will be eliminated, ending programs that connect younger generations with the library, while digital access staff who help the public navigate online services will also be removed. Free public computer access will be reduced, despite many vulnerable citizens relying on it for job applications, health records, and government services. Core IT services will be outsourced, raising concerns about continuity and expertise. In total, approximately 39 positions across the library are expected to be lost.
When ministers speak of efficiencies and synergies, it is hard to look past the reality of these cuts. What is efficient about cutting reference librarians from 25 to 10, or synergistic about outsourcing IT support? There are no savings here, only losses: a loss of expertise, a loss of access, and a diminished Melbourne.
Voices of Opposition
These changes have galvanised many influential Australians to support the Librarians and others whose work is being devalued and, along with it, the cultural heartbeat of a city. Author Helen Garner has spoken out forcefully, warning that the library is being reduced to “party central” and that Melbourne’s reputation for cultural seriousness is at risk. Meanwhile, an open letter coordinated by Gideon Haigh, Clare Wright, Graeme Davison, and Judith Brett has gathered signatures from historians, writers, and academics, calling on the government to protect the library’s scholarly role and heritage.
Professional organisations have joined the chorus. The Professional Historians Association (Vic & Tas) has declared that reference librarians are indispensable for high‑quality research and urged the government to fully fund the library and retain staff. Their statement emphasises that the library is not simply a building but a cornerstone of Victoria’s intellectual life.
The Community and Public Sector Union (CPSU Victoria) has also taken formal action, lodging a dispute over the restructure. Union organiser Jordi Gilmour argues that management has failed to consult properly and is stripping away core services in favour of vague “digital innovation” projects. He stresses that librarians know the collection’s millions of items better than any system ever could, and that outsourcing IT services will only erode expertise and continuity.
Together, these voices, from authors and historians to unions and professional associations, underscore that the proposed cuts are not simply administrative adjustments, but a fundamental threat to the library’s civic and cultural mission.
Why It Matters
The proposed cuts strike at the very heart of what makes the State Library of Victoria a civic institution. Reference librarians, whose deep knowledge of the collection cannot be replicated by any system or algorithm, are being reduced to a fraction of their former number. And beyond the practical losses lies a cultural one: Melbourne’s reputation as a city of learning and heritage is diminished when its flagship library is hollowed out.
If you are concerned by these changes, I would encourage you to join those who have already begun to mobilise, and there are several ways to add your voice. You can sign one of the petitions circulating, there is a broad public campaign on Change.org or you could join the union‑led initiative hosted by CPSU Victoria on Megaphone. Both of these campaigns are calling for the cuts to be reversed.
Add Your Voice
Historians & Writers’ Open Letter – Go to the Professional Historians Association to support Gideon Haigh, Clare Wright, Graeme Davison, Judith Brett, and others in calling on the government to protect the library’s scholarly role and heritage
Write to Your Local MP – Send a message explaining why the library matters to you.
This article was written by Michael O’Donnell and expresses his opinion and should not be taken to reflect the opinions of all members.
