Duke University Libraries (DUL) has shed 40 staff positions and trimmed $4 million in spending from its budget this year, a sweeping downsizing that has left faculty worried about the loss of specialist librarians and the future of research collections.
At Thursday’s Academic Council meeting, Joseph Salem, vice provost for library affairs and Rita DiGiallonardo Holloway University librarian, defended the cost-cutting process, which included voluntary separation incentives, cuts to print collections and the closure of the Marine Lab Library. Salem acknowledged the toll of the reductions but emphasized that the libraries are working with faculty to soften the impact — a claim that comes amid faculty frustration over limited communication and fears the cuts could weaken academic support in key disciplines.
“It’s impossible not to feel the loss of 40 positions,” Salem said. “But the other message we’re trying to carry through is that we really want to work with faculty and all different groups to mitigate those impacts.”…