Budget Cuts Threaten University of Nevada, Reno Special Collections
Earlier this week the University of Nevada, Reno proposed $26 million in budget cuts, reductions that would lead to closure of some programs and departments including the Special Collections Department of the University Libraries. The university's press release of March 7, announcing the proposed cuts in response to a budget shortfall projected to be as high as $59 million by July 2012, is available in a story from the Reno Gazette-Journal.
A university spokesperson confirmed on March 10 that if the budget proposal moves forward following the university's academic planning process, closure of Special Collections would be implemented in fiscal year 2012. The closure would also affect the University Archives, which is part of the same department. Staff positions in Special Collections would be eliminated. Existing collections would be maintained, with materials retrieved on an as-needed basis by other library staff. Digital resources would remain online.
The University of Nevada, Reno Special Collections holdings include more than 20,000 books and 200,000 photographs.
