Crippling deficits of more than £1m have prompted a radical shake-up of library resource provisions. Senior library service management proposes to start implementing massive cuts from July in order to bring the deficit under control. Under current plans, staff roles and library sites will be merged as the Library Service's reviews into building use and staff structure are implemented.
The 'Establishment Review' highlights natural wastage, early retirement and slashing overtime rates as a means of achieving £500,000 worth of staff cuts. But in a snub to current employees, The Oxford Student has learnt staff could face the sack, with a spokesman for OULS stating: "compulsory redundancies cannot be ruled out." The University maintains that "all other avenues will be investigated" before redundancies are considered.
Speaking to this newspaper, a representative from the Oxford branch of the Association of University Teachers (AUT) union was critical of the handling of the reforms: "Huge uncertainty over the plans has affected staff morale, which is very low. There should have been better consultation. Once our members have been consulted we will make representations to the University." The planned operational changes have been attacked by current employees and student representatives alike.
An OULS librarian, who did not wish to be named, told The Oxford Student: "The consolidation of positions is ridiculous: we are already overworked as it is." Student Union vice president for access and academic affairs Linsey Cole said she was angry at plans to close libraries: "The proposals are not a positive step if library services are affected due to closures. There has been insufficient consultation so far and the views of students should be taken more seriously by university authorities." \
However, the University maintains the planned package is essential if it is to offer an improved library service to students. A spokeswoman for Oxford told The Oxford Student the plans are still being discussed: "The proposals are in a period of consultation and should be finalised within the next few months. The changes are necessary due to the large recurrent deficits and the changing needs of library users." The spokeswoman also confirmed that there would be opportunities for library users to make their feelings known. The proposed staff cuts will see an increasing reliance on technological solutions. In recent years, OULS has augmented the use of electronic resources, and this is set to continue.
Book tracking systems and entrance barriers will also be installed in libraries to reduce the need for porters. However, Joint Secretary of the Oxford University branch of UNISON, Alan Jenkins, remains positive about the plans. He told The Oxford Student: "We've secured agreements that should see clerical and administrative staff, whose posts are at risk, filling vacancies or being redeployed elsewhere within the library service."
The final proposals need to be ratified by the University Council and Congregation before being implemented.
Student members of staff at Oxford's libraries will have their pay slashed, according to the OULS proposals. The report states: "Library staff hired specifically for part-time, evening and weekends should be paid at plain rather than premium rates".
A spokesman for the Bodleian Library told The Oxford Student that up to 40 students will be directly affected by the move, which will see pay reduced from the current overtime levels of around £9.45 per hour to the basic rate of £6.30 per hour.
Student Union vice president for access and academic affairs Linsey Cole is adamant that the cuts represent "a significant drop". She added: "I don't think it's fair, the students are filling a gap in the market and they should be rewarded for that." However, Cole acknowledges there is a resource issue that needs to be addressed. Above all, she stressed the need for proper and thorough consultation between the University and all those affected by the proposals.
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