The University of Wollongong has hit out at National Tertiary Education Union UOW branch president Georgine Clarsen.
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Ms Clarsen was reported in the Mercury as saying she was surprised at UOW's decision to move almost 200,000 books from its library to an offsite storage facility.
She also claimed staff had not been consulted about UOW's plan to develop a 'future ready' library to meet contemporary student and staff needs.
"[Changes] were outlined in the Future Ready Library Strategy presented to university and faculty leadership in 2018, was widely promoted to UOW staff and was published online on 17 July 2018," UOW stated.
It added the plan was in response to careful consideration of usage data, feedback, benchmarking and consultation.
The university also "wholeheartedly rejects Associate Professor Clarsen's questioning of the qualifications and competence of those staff leading and overseeing these change".
"The university calls on NTEU branch president Clarsen to publicly withdraw her remarks and apologise."
The UOW added the Future Ready Library project was being led by Library Services director Margie Jantti, who has worked at the university library for 26 years.
UOW also refuted claims by Prof Clarsen that there would be job losses.
"There have been no job losses as a result of the Future Ready Library project. UOW is going to great lengths to ensure those staff impacted are being consulted and adequately supported to equip them for their changed responsibilities."
Agron Latifi
Wollongong born and bred. I love reporting about the Illawarra region and have been doing it for more than 20 years. I've moved into sport recently after covering the education round for the last five plus years for the Illawarra Mercury. It's been a great pleasure.
Wollongong born and bred. I love reporting about the Illawarra region and have been doing it for more than 20 years. I've moved into sport recently after covering the education round for the last five plus years for the Illawarra Mercury. It's been a great pleasure.
