Sources reveal plans to pack up 22,000 books. 

Following last month’s report in radioinfo about proposed cuts to ABC music libraries, further reports have emerged that management is planning to send its entire book collection to Samoa.

The proposal to centralise the ABC CD collection, cut music library staff and eventually rationalise vinyl record collections will be rolled out over the coming months, with ten positions to be made redundant. 

According to reports in The Guardian, sources have revealed management plans include packing up all 22,000 books in Sydney and Melbourne (aside from ‘special items’) and sending them to Samoa.

It is speculated that books have been targeted because management wants the library space for the IT division.

But the idea has been derided, with some insiders saying discarded books are not always wanted by developing nations, owing to the high cost of transportation and storage, and questions over their relevance. 

At a board meeting on Thursday, ABC directors are expected to discuss a letter from the chief executive of the Australian Library and Information Association, Sue McKerracher, who has also written to managing director Michelle Guthrie and the minister for communications, Mitch Fifield, to protest the decision.

“The decision to close these libraries and make 10 specialist librarians redundant will result in irreversible damage to collections, along with a great loss of knowledge, skill and expertise,” McKerracher said.

“We are seeking meetings with the ABC and the minister to look at alternate options and to discuss the long-term future of the ABC’s nationally significant collections.”