Oxford libraries 'may lose up to 200 jobs'

Oxford University is planning to reduce staffing costs in its libraries by up to £2m, which could result in the loss of up to 200 jobs.

The curators of Oxford University libraries have proposed that over a five-year period, staffing costs be reduced by up to £2m, "with savings made through re-deployment, staff turnover and voluntary severance".

It is believed that staff numbers could be reduced by up to 200, although a spokeswoman for Oxford University denied that any such target had yet been set.

"We are at the beginning of discussions and are not at the stage where people are being made redundant," she said to IWR sister titles the Bookseller . "The turnover in library staff is such that we could just not [recruit to] fill vacant positions, or offer different jobs to people."

The proposals are part of a period of significant change for Oxford University Library Services , which includes nearly 40 of the university's libraries.

In the five years to 2010, it plans to increase access to electronic materials through a number of initiatives, and also reduce library space. The spokeswoman added that the proposals "were still at the discussion stage".  Click here for more information on Oxford University Library Services.

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