Australia: “Trove Online Database’s Future in Doubt Due to National Library Funding Cuts”

From ABC Australia:

The future of the Trove online database is in doubt due to funding cuts to the National Library of Australia.
Key points:

• Trove digitises items like books, photos, newspapers and maps
• It currently holds over 4 million items
• The National Library is facing $20 million in funding cuts

In February it was revealed a number of national cultural institutions were looking at reducing staff numbers as they face $20 million in cuts from the Federal Government’s efficiency dividend.
Later that month, a leaked email from the National Library’s director-general projected 22 jobs would be axed next financial year, with more in the future, as a result of the funding cuts.
Although Trove, which was launched in late 2009, is funded by the library’s budget, without government funding the library will not be able to update the material in the database.

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Ed. Note: With news of severe budget cuts coming to the National Library of Australia we hope that Trove is spared and a recent update to the service is not the last. It’s a “beyond superb” research tool and a wonderful example (one of the very best) of a library-built resource and software. SAVE Trove!
See Also: Australia: “Budget Cuts Will Have a ‘Grave Impact’ on the National Library, Staff Told” (February 22, 2016)

Filed under: Funding, Jobs, Libraries, Maps, National Libraries, News