Library Restructuring Put On Hold

The National Library restructuring – which includes a restructuring of the Alexander Turnbull Library – has now been put on hold, pending consultation with and/or direction from the incoming Government, The Friends of the Turnbull Library has been informed.

In light of this, The Friends of the Turnbull Library have agreed to put on hold temporarily a judicial review of the restructuring, which had been due to take place this week (subs: week beginning Monday 13 December 1999).

Last month, The Friends – the official advocacy group of the Alexander Turnbull Library – supported by the Trustees of the Alexander Turnbull Endowment Trust, filed papers for an interim court injunction and judicial review of the National Library restructuring at the High Court in Wellington, on the grounds that the restructuring contravened legislative safeguards for the Alexander Turnbull Library.

Before the case for an interim injunction was due to be heard, The Friends received a legal undertaking from the National Librarian to protect the Alexander Turnbull Library until the judicial review was heard.

President of The Friends, Rachel Underwood, says the change in government gives the organisation hope that their concerns for the Turnbull Library will be addressed. “Although there is no guarantee that the process will stopped, an examination of party policies shows that the incoming government is likely to take a more cautious view of the restructuring.”

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