The ABC is consolidating its sound libraries in a move that will see physical libraries dismantled and library staff made redundant, The Guardian reported this morning.

As part of ongoing changes at the ABC, Sound & Reference Libraries around the country will be dismantled in favour of a centralised library in Melbourne. In an announcement to staff dated January 16, obtained by Limelight, the ABC said collections will be “culled to remove duplicates and CD’s [sic] no longer required, (approximately 50% of current holdings), with only a single copy held in Melbourne. Changes to the CD collections will be the initial focus as this is the area of key impact and demand.” The Sound Libraries serve music stations including Classic FM and Triple J, as well as providing music for documentaries and other programs across the ABC.

A portion of the collection will be digitised for distribution through the Broadcast Music Bank, which allows content makers to access music digitally without having to physically source CDs from the libraries. It is unclear how much of the collection will be digitised, with sources reportedly telling The Guardian they believe only between 5% and 10% of the collection will be digitised and that...