Report into library work culture in Canberra recommends downsizing and change to operational hours

ABC NEWS (Australia)

The ACT government says library staff will help guide its response to a scathing report into the culture and work practices at Canberra’s libraries. The issues have led to a large increase in the number of days libraries have been closed in the last year, with recommendations to look at downsizing operations at some sites or changing opening times.

Transcript

00:00The calm and tranquil nature of Canberra's libraries is a stark contrast to the experience

00:08of those working there.

00:10Staff told an independent review of a toxic culture, a breakdown in trust with leadership

00:15and consistent denials of annual leave to the point they were reluctant to ask anymore.

00:20It's entirely inappropriate in a modern day workplace.

00:23Staff deserved to take leave, they needed to recharge from the stresses of the workplace.

00:28Staff instead took 1,685 days of unplanned leave last year, leading to more branch closures.

00:36In 2023-24, ACT branches were closed for 42 days.

00:41Last year that increased to 94.

00:43The babies programs, Giggle and Wiggle, that are really popular and the whole big bunch

00:48of parents coming for a session at Gung Island Library and then them getting to the door

00:53and the libraries close.

00:55The report has made 37 recommendations including looking at downgrading Civic and Arendelle libraries

01:01to express services which could allow staff to move to bigger libraries.

01:05It also suggests cutting libraries' underutilised night services.

01:10Cutting the hours or closing branches was not the way to improve the service.

01:15They need to invest in more staff to be able to provide a service to the Canberra community.

01:18The report also recommends a review of staffing and rostering, embedding a HR staffer on site

01:24and work to develop better communication between leadership and staff.

01:28The government promising to give staff more of a say.

01:31My commitment to you is this is a process that will be led by you.

01:36Too much has happened to you without you.

01:39Government working groups have been formed with library staff to begin working through the recommendations.

01:45in the work.

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