When faculty returned to campus this fall, some found their subject librarians were no longer with them.
The personnel cuts had not been communicated to or discussed with faculty in advance. Members of the Library Council, which serves as a liaison between Duke University Libraries (DUL) and faculty, said they were also left out of the loop.
Thirty-three of the more than 200 full time library staff members accepted offers from Duke’s voluntary separation incentive program (VSIP), prompting their departure from the University over the summer. Their absences leave the future of a key aspect of academic support and research at the University uncertain…