Downsizing continues

Citation

Fitzsimons, E. (2001), "Downsizing continues", The Bottom Line, Vol. 14 No. 1. https://doi.org/10.1108/bl.2001.17014aab.007

Downsizing continues

Downsizing continues

Keywords: Academic libraries, Downsizing, Funding

Dateline: Pullman, WA

In a less than positive measure to cut costs, the library at Washington State University, Pullman, is cutting five staff members and one librarian. This is in response to a university-wide mandate to reduce the budget by 3.14 per cent. The need to trim the budget is the result of lower than expected enrollment, which in turn has reduced revenues. In earlier proposals, up to nine staff members were to be cut and there were reports of merging or closing up to three of the university's special libraries. Fortunately, these closings will not occur and because the librarian position has been unfilled for some time, five staff members will be reassigned to other university positions or let go, depending on seniority. The library is also seeking a new director, as the former director has left for the University of Iowa. John Webb, Assistant Director for Collections and Systems is confident that service will not be affected, "We looked at re-engineering the way we do things." One does wonder what the effect on the remaining staff members will be.

(Source: LJ News (2000), "Washington State Univ. cuts staff", Library Journal, Vol. 125No. 12, pp. 22-3).