On June 1, 2021, OCADU Administration will officially eliminate six library positions. This will result in the loss of four senior librarians who have over seven decades of service and experience. Please read this op-ed by Min Sook Lee (OCADU Faculty Association President), Harriet Sonne de Torrens (UTFA Librarians Committee Chair) & Terezia Zorić (UTFA President) on the loss of the library positions and how it reflects a troubling trend in the post-secondary sector.
-----------------------------
On May 4th, the Ontario College of Art & Design University (OCADU) administration unceremoniously announced its decision to eliminate six library positions (effective June 1st, 2021). As a result, four senior librarians — with a combined seven decades of experience — were given a month’s notice of their job termination.
The librarians found out that their services were no longer required following a virtual meeting where OCADU’s new University Librarian informed staff that the university was planning to re-structure the library.
From time to time, the re-structuring of academic libraries may be necessary to support the evolving pedagogical, curricular, and other needs of students and faculty members. Central to any academic restructuring is a collegial and transparent process where those involved with relevant expertise have a real voice. The principle of collegial governance ensures that members of university communities who contribute to its well-being and accomplishments are part of a shared decision-making process.
Read the rest of the op-ed here.