Thread by @JessHealyWalton

After typing up my extensive notes from the State Library Victoria's Duty of Care review meeting with me and other authors a few days ago, I'm here to write a long thread on what was said. I've come off private so this thread can be shared, but I will go back on to private soon.

I am not going to identify the other authors and creatives at the meeting, but I have been talking to some of them since that afternoon about what was an incredibly infuriating discussion.

One of the two people leading the meeting was Cath Brown, who is on the Executive Team at SLV & is Director for People & Partnerships. Cath and Joel McGuinness (new Director of Experience at SLV) are co-chairs of the SLV Duty of Care Review.

The other person leading the meeting was Helen Conway, an independent expert the library retained to oversee the process of the review and input to an independent report, and then provide an independent introduction to the report.

Helen is a former corporate lawyer and former CEO of the Workforce Gender Equality Agency. She ran as an independent in North Shore in the 2023 NSW elections, funded by a teal-style community group – North Sydney’s Independent.

Helen opened the meeting with an acknowledgment of country, which is important, but worth noting in the context of a decision to ban staff from wearing items that contain Indigenous or Palestinian flags. Actions speak louder than words, SLV. smh.com.au/culture/books/…

Helen then refers to the teen writing boot camp 2024 as being "paused" and says there has been a lot of "discussion" about it. Here's more context:
theguardian.com/culture/2024/m…

There’s an internal reference group set up to do the review, with Helen brought in to oversee the process. The review started in the first week of May, and Helen notes there is "time pressure” to get it done with the objective of getting boot camp up again as soon as possible.

However, Helen also says the review needs to be:

“all encompassing, thorough", and a corporate-speak word used a lot during this meeting: “a reset”.

The internal reference group were asked to identify with their teams all the relevant material to "duty of care" - pieces of legislation, codes, policies. They identified 62 relevant policies and procedures the library has, & 55 legislative documents & 'best practise examples'.

Helen calls all of this "a very complex environment,” at no point discussing the inciting incident (their attempt to terminate the contracts of queer, anti-genocide authors three days out from the first author's workshop with the library, citing "duty of care" as the reason).

So the SLV has come up with ten recommendations, broken up into those that need to be implemented as soon as possible to run the bootcamp this year, then short term recommendations, and bigger pieces of work that will involve a longer timeframe.

They invited us to this meeting to get our input to the recommendations (which are already decided, I think?) so they can feed that back into the implementation of the recommendations. They had internal focus groups in the morning, and our external focus group in the afternoon.

Questions Helen asked us at this point:

What it’s like to work with the State Library?

Is it difficult to work with the State Library? Why?

What would make it easier to work with the State Library?

As external people who have worked with the State Library, we’ll have “an entirely different lens” to the internal working groups and staff, Helen notes.

Yes, because we have all worked at SLV teen writing boot camps in the past & are in solidarity with our author colleagues!

The first recommendation: "To finalise the freedom of expression and respectful conduct schedule as a legally enforceable requirement for inclusion in external contractor agreements."

(Sadly I don't have all recommendations, they were on a fast moving powerpoint presentation)

SLV has developed a schedule in relation to this recommendation, and it is being used already in a contractor’s contract.

Helen calls it a prototype and says if it works in practise it’s something they’ll be able to use more broadly.

This is the BIG one, folks.

Second recommendation: Obtain legal advice on contractors compliance with the VPS code of conduct.

Executive member Cath Brown is in charge of getting the legal advice.

The slide says, “certain contractors are required to comply with the VPS code of conduct because they are performing a public sector function”.

Cath explains that authors employed as part of future teen writing boot camp will be expected to sign the VPS code of conduct!

Those of you who are subject to the VPS code of conduct will have some idea of why they might want authors to sign it instead of their usual supplier contract, which will still apply to "caterers" and "people fixing the air conditioner" Helen says.

Those contractors (caterers etc) work FOR the library, but apparently teen writing boot camp's contracted authors work is OF the library, as in, staff at the library could do this work instead of us, so we may be deemed or perceived to be OF the library.

= VPS code of conduct!

They have just said, to a room full of experienced writers and editors and artists, that our role in the teen writing boot camp could be done by them without us, therefore if we are contracted to do it, we're essentially doing the work of library staff while we're there.

Helen also says that if there’s a panel, people are being engaged by the library for their views. You want people to express their views. So panellists only need to comply with the library code of conduct – the VPS code of conduct does not apply.

Myself and another author query why, if this work could be done by anyone at the library, would they get us in as writers and artists to teach the kids during workshops at all?

I mean, why bother, if our work is so easily replicated by library staff?

The discussion goes around and around this point, but essentially they're not going to budge on it, because they need us to be classified in this way in order to insist we sign the VPS code of conduct, which silences freedom of expression.

In my notes:

"Cath says the library has the capacity to do that work but they want to give teens an opportunity to engage with writers. I say, 'with writers specifically. You engage writers specifically.' Cath says yes they do, because it’s a writing bootcamp. (!!! Exactly !!!)"

THIS, exactly. This is what every writer in that room is realising they're trying to do.

https://x.com/qianjinghua/status/1811604368807895391

From my notes:

"Cath says in teen writing boot camp we bring in experts in their various disciplines. I ask if they therefore recognise us as as experts. Cath says yes."

From my notes:

"Cath says they're programming the writing around the specific pieces of work, like fantasy writing or poetry, but says again that that’s work OF the library, that we bring our expertise but our work is library branded & therefore VPS code of conduct applies."

If work being library branded comes under "work OF the library instead of FOR the library" and therefore the VPS code of conduct applies, why aren't library branded panellists signing the same contract? Couldn't State Library VIC make their library staff be on the panels instead?

In fact, why does SLV employ anyone who isn't a staff member for anything they do? That seems to be the answer. Those pesky diverse artists keep spouting their mouths off about genocide outside of their work for the library, so why not just get rid of us altogether?

My notes:

"No! We have specific knowledge about various kinds of writing, and publishing, and we are brought in because we have that specific knowledge and expertise. And it’s clear to staff and students that we are external to the library, brought in because of who we are."

My notes:

"The library also wants some of us because we belong to marginalised communities. We bring 'diversity' to the state library, which they won’t get anymore if they monitor our speech & activity & terminate contracts on the basis of what we say and do outside the SLV."

Cath then says the review has found that the problem is that the library didn't clearly identify to writers that the VPS code of conduct applied.

Does that mean they were aware it potentially applied in previous years? I didn't sign a VPS code of conduct to work at boot camp!

I asked:

“If SLV already knew the VPS code of conduct may apply, when all writers who had their contracts terminated by the library asked for more info repeatedly, why did the library not provide that information?"

(Cath and Helen disagree writers had contracts terminated)

I wrote Cath's answer in full because I'd love to know if it's true:

“We did reach out. We have reached out on numerous occasions. There were 6 writers in the cohort. I spoke to a couple in detail. I’ve spoken to one in not as much detail. And others have decided not to engage.”

Helen then says she respects my views but that the focus now, what the library wants to do now, is “reset" (there's that word again!) & make sure there's a "robust infrastructure going forward" that makes it clear for everyone working at/with the library what their position is.

YEP. Artists don't get paid enough to sign VPS codes of conduct that limit freedom of expression.

https://x.com/suehodges61/status/1811608988955607307

Yes. I'm actually now working on a poem called "Duty of Care" about teens in Gaza, and a poem called "Reset" which is an ode to corporate speak.

https://x.com/normal_ness/status/1811609928504664147

Pausing this thread to go and make snacks for my kids (make sure they have a robust infrastructure for going forward), and play a bit of "lego world" with my ten year old (engage with a key stakeholder) and maybe pat the cat (consult with management to ensure we are on track).

I'll leave you with this. Cath Brown, who is covered by the VPS code of conduct as an SLV employee, is bound to be honest and accountable. And yet:

https://x.com/qianjinghua/status/1811610730569113626

Sorry, apparently i misspelled Kath's name as "Cath" in my notes and have just realised. Will fix that in future tweets in this thread.

More evidence that what was said about reaching out to authors was a lie:

https://x.com/cousineggplant/status/1811610501836870058

And more evidence. Phew!

https://x.com/_budgie/status/1811616419580412128

Another creative at the meeting says, "I still don’t understand; I would have thought that the function of the library is that they facilitate workshops, but writers are brought in as experts."

Another says, "The library bring us in, we’re brought in as artists."

You can see here how the SLV is using the VPS code of conduct to suppress speech amongst their own staff. They want to do that to authors. And yet they kept insisting it was not authors' views that had prompted the Duty of Care Review! Absolute rubbish.

https://x.com/MixtUpMixy/status/1811609191628570872

My notes say Cath called the VPS code of conduct “not an onerous thing” (Ha!) “It basically just says people will behave respectfully and honestly and respectfully and with integrity and all of that.”

I have SEEN fair work commission hearings where tweets got VPS staff fired!

I can choose to be paid $300 for my participation. I offered it to a fired author, who suggested a charity supporting Palestinian refugees.

https://x.com/VivienneWriter/status/1811617993736224967

I was originally not going to go, instead thinking I would send a list of all the murdered Palestinian teens who will never attend a writing boot camp, or school, or university, or anything else, because they were genocided. But going was better, because it produced this thread.

In the discussion about whether we're perceived as being "of" or "for" the library at boot camp, a creative at the meeting said, "I remember being a teenager and knowing that a writer is a writer and a teacher is a teacher."

YES! Teens know we are external experts brought in.

Continued, from the same creative: "At the bootcamp they [teenagers] were very excited to work with someone who’s been published, who has published books, and it was quite a distinct difference in the way they were talking with me than how they would talk to a teacher."

"Again this is continued, from the same creative:

"The relationship was very clear I think, that I was an artist or an expert, in comparison with working with a library education team. They’re also clearly experts, but they’re not employed *as* artists."

Kath asks what our concern would actually be, if we were sitting within the VPS code of conduct staff are bound by. She says all of us are bound by the supplier code of conduct anyway as artists, and that the two codes of conduct are “not dissimilar”.

Hmm yes, they are.

One of the creatives at the meeting: If they’re not dissimilar why is it important to make the distinction?
Kath says that they’re not going to “take the little green book that is the VPS code of conduct and make you all read that, that’s not what this is about.”

Kath doesn’t answer the creative's question about why they’d put us under VPS code of conduct and not supplier code of conduct, what the distinction between the two codes is.

Kath tells us she invented a word for what they'd do with the code: they'd "librify" it so it's clear.

Jess: staff have alleged that when challenged the CEO said ‘you call it profiling, I call it risk management’.
Kath: That’s not what the CEO said.
Jess: Okay, but that’s what’s been…
Kath: I know what’s been represented outside, and I can’t fix what’s been represented outside...

Kath, continued: ...but I also do not what’s been said internally & what hasn’t been said internally.

Again Kath says what they’re trying to do is provide “clarity” around how artists work with SLV “in a way that provides freedom of expression but also aligns with core values.”

So what are the library's core values?

In my opinion, one of their core values is "don't speak up against genocide".

When I arrived, the lift opened and there was CEO Paul Duldig, introducing himself as the welcome committee & looking down at me in my wheelchair in my "Freedom & Justice for Palestine" APAN tshirt in surprise. Haha.

I guess if I was staff, and I'd signed the VPS Code of Conduct, I'd be fired for that tshirt. There's no freedom and justice for Palestine in our State Library! We're not having that!

One of the creatives at the meeting says something like it seems there's a clash between the State Library's core values and writers' core values, and that it's difficult to see a code of conduct pulled out and wielded in this way.

Helen says, "If I can just reframe it?" (Reframe! Refocus! Ugh, corporate speak). Says it’s been difficult for the library, that it’s “a complex matter”. She says the library is constrained by being in the public sector.

Again Helen says contracted writers do work that is of the library not for the library, and again they are asked by someone in the room why they get us in if that's the case.

Helen says of signing the VPS code of conduct: “I just don’t think it’s a huge issue”.

Helen “would be amazed if you would find anything objectionable in what the code would say.”
A creative asks what are the differences between the codes?
Helen just says the supplier code of conduct is relatively short while the VPS code of conduct is “way more extensive” (lol)

Helen adds that while the VPS code of conduct is way more extensive, the parts that would apply to us as writers contracted by library are “not that extensive”.

Jess (me): "but it potentially applied to three queer writers who have spoken out against genocide, so if it has applied to them in that case, then surely it could apply to any of us who take a position on anything?"

Jess (me) continued: "I mean people under the VPS code of conduct have been fired from VPS roles for tweets, for example. So is that going to be applied then, to writers?"

Kath brings up a freedom of expression schedule they've created to make sure artists they engage with can maintain freedom of speech. "It's not about binding people to the green book”, it's about “binding us in a way that aligns with values we are all bound to as a gov agency.”

Reminder that State Library Victoria is one of seven cultural agencies of the Victorian Government. These agencies are overseen by Creative Victoria, part of the Department of Jobs, Precincts and Regions.

They want us to be bound to what VPS public servants are bound to.

Kath then starts talking about a welcome or introductory pack that tells us what does or doesn’t apply as a contracted writer. We’d get that early so we can read through it. Asks us, as a focus group, what would be useful to us as contracted writers and artists?

Jess (me): "perhaps you could include some examples of tweets that will get authors fired, a case study that says if you tweet something like this, something about genocide, you won’t be employed by the library."

Kath laughs/scoffs in response.

Jess (me) "I mean, what started this? That’s what everyone wants to know? What started this process? It’s had a chilling effect on writers’ confidence in the library."

Kath says it was an identification that they didn't have the right infrastructure in place.

Jess (me): "But what started that identification? What was the timing? It was a few days before Omar’s workshop that the teen bootcamp was pulled."

Kath: says they went through a process where they were having a look and asking the team what was the structure for the teen writing boot camp, and realised at that stage there was a problem.

Kath says that there wasn’t any sort of concern with any tweets and that "tweets were not even involved in the decision making process." Adds, laughing, "It always interests me when people talk about tweets!"

Jess (me): "but the teen writing boot camp information sessions had already happened, some of them, so why was it pulled three days out from the first workshop?"

Kath repeats the line about not having the infrastructure, blah blah.

I bring up that at other events, library staff were given training and resources to deal with safety concerns, so why weren’t staff trusted in this particular case to have the capacity to cope with any issues that might have arisen during the teen writing boot camps?

Kath: "I think the staff themselves had expressed concerns that didn’t actually surface to the executive."
Jess: "113 State Library staff signed a letter that said that this decision was discriminatory."

Kath then says staff doing the programming "identified some concerns"

A creative at the meeting: "concerns about duty of care for children?

Kath: "Yes, duty of care, not just for children, duty of care for everyone involved. And that’s been the main concern as well."

Hmm.

Kath: "yes it's the children who are the participants in the program, but also duty of care for presenters, duty of care for facilitators, for the staff supporting those facilitators... we should have been better, we should have been on top of that."

Lots of !!!!!!! in my notes.

Kath says they're still going to put teen writers boot camp on this year (really?! with which authors?! Can you imagine what the feeling in the writing community that supports the State Library will be like?!)

Kath says each executive knows what they’re accountable for to ensure that "we don’t find ourselves in this situation again". Then, "It’s not been easy, across the board." (I think she means for everyone, not the library's board, lol)

Kath then says they "couldn’t in all good conscience" put on a program without the "support structures" (support structures! infrastructure! let's build a library!) in place for everybody involved.

A creative in the room asks how they'll ensure that artists signing any kind of SLV contract will know "how political discussion, a very natural thing that would come up in any kind of artistic discussion, how that is affected."

Helen: I agree

Kath: That makes perfect sense.

Creative agrees with me that there would need to be crystal clear examples given to artists showing what they can't say, if they're going ahead with this VPS code of conduct thing (which clearly they are).

Jess (me): "VPS staff are given clear guidelines around social media use, & that affects their employment. If we come under VPS, that is going to have a chilling effect on artists or writers employed by the state library, & will harm freedom of expression & erode public trust."

I add that the VPS code of conduct, which Kath is covered by, includes openness and accountability, and public trust, which has been damaged by this incident and the library's behaviour!

Another creative asks if artists will know exactly when the contract starts & ends, "like can we tweet the day after we finish working here? I think that’s really important – at what point can we…"
Kath: "absolutely it is" 🙃

The atmosphere in the room is tense. All of us are insisting on asking questions on how exactly the library would make it clear to the authors working for teen boot camp that they must be silent if they want the contract.

Helen talks about how she realises everyone's concerned about what happened, & everyone has differing views, etc, but she's independent & wasn't here when it happened & is not here to defend the library. She's here to ensure the process has integrity, & she's satisfied it does!

Helen says the library is "trying to find a positive way forward" as a public sector organisation, taking all of it's obligations into account. She says some people might decide they don't want to work for the SLV & other public sector orgs because it's "way too constraining".

A creative points out that she works with lots of institutions & schools & has never signed, ever, a contract that silences them in any way in terms of freedom of expression & what they can say online. Says we are "separate supplier contractors" & therefore shouldn't sign VPS CoC

Helen: "Even if we park the public sector code of conduct..."

They'd love to park that part of this conversation because they can feel the feeling in the room! No Helen, we won't park it!

She goes on for a bit about the library's freedom of expression and respectful conduct schedule, then another creative asks:

"What else do you want us here for? This (code of conduct issue) has clearly been decided by the library already."

Kath says that's fair enough, and asks us how the library can improve the way they engage. Talks about the recommendations needed to get boot camp up and running. Mentions that they've reviewed their social media policy from 2016 ("before twitter & x & everything else" - what?)

Kath responds that what she wants to hear is our input and experience in engaging with the library. What has worked for us and what hasn't. What was clear and what was left out that shouldn't have been.

Helen asks Kath to go back to a slide, points out a recommendation.

"Eighth recommendation: Develop a welcome and induction guide for contractors that outlines the expectations and requirements of working with and for the library."

Helen: "We’d be interested to know what you’d want to see in that. I’ve come in as an independent person for this process – what makes it hard to work with the library for you people? Is there anything that’s easy about working with the library, or is it all too hard?"

Me: "THIS incident makes it hard to work with the library. I don’t trust the library anymore. They’ve destroyed my trust in this public institution. They haven’t even put out a statement on genocide, or the libraries being destroyed, or the children and teenagers being killed."

Me, continued: "The library is supposed to be a place that stands up for writers, for readers, for librarians, and I’ve just been so crushed by what’s happened. Right outside this library, every week, there is a protest against genocide!"

Me, continued: "And I wonder, if we look at genocides in the past, what IS the library’s stance on genocide? Is this a safe place for marginalised people to come and work? I don’t feel like it is!"

Helen: "that’s a general statement about the library…"

Jess: "No it’s specifically because of this process, and the pausing of the teen bootcamp, and this review, and the timing of the review. For me the timing of the review cannot be separated from the review!"

Me, continued: "The treatment of three queer anti genocide writers can’t be separated from the review, & so that’s why I’m here! You asked me to come & give my feedback: I will never work with the state library again! I don’t trust the state library, it’s not safe for me!"

I finish by saying the library has demonstrated its values through its actions.

Another creative points out any artist thinking about working with SLV will only know what's in the media about what happened too, and will need to feel safe working with the SLV.

Creative: "you’re not vetting every single person who signs a supplier code of conduct's political activity, so I assume it’s much less onerous than the VPS code of conduct."
Kath: "it largely has the same suite of values, it talks about discrimination, bullying, hate speech..."

Jess: when you look at how public servant’s speech is treated, it’s different. Public servants know they can’t speak out about anything.

Another creative: & they’re paid enough so that they don’t. Artists have so much precarity. The material conditions for artists are different

I point out that a lot of the work the library values us for is political, has something to say about geopolitical events & public events.

Helen says "that’s the nub of the issue, and we can’t rewrite the VPS code of conduct."

Another creative says, so frustrated, "But we can come under a different code of conduct. It doesn’t make any sense!"

Helen: "We understand your position."

Another creative: "Why are you hiring artists? We’re political. Obviously you want to hire queer artists, etc. We’re going to have something to say. Unless they’re saying it on behalf of the library?!"

At this point my hand feels numb & I've filled almost my entire notebook.

Same creative, continued: "This issue didn’t happen in the boot camp I was in! I don’t understand why that public service code of conduct needs to apply in this case."

Another creative says her work and writing is entrenched in political issues, and explores these ideas and how they impact her as a Black woman and refugee. That the library should go hire people with the privilege of not being political if they don't want that.

I wrote down what she said next and it has stayed with me for the last few days:

"I think that in the current context of the world we live in, being someone who does not have a political opinion is a privilege. I think the library has a great responsibility to uphold."

Same creative, continued: "How the library chooses to respond to injustices in the world and people affected by them! I’m always going to express my political viewpoints, and if there’s a cost for that..."

Same creative, continued: "...at least I know I’m going to go to sleep knowing I expressed myself in a way that is truthful and in a way that shows integrity."

Helen points out that we’re five minutes over, says if there's anything else we want to say she's keen to capture it.

Feeling in the room is that they'd like to get us out of there ASAP.

Another creative: "We’ve been positioning the library as apolitical, which cannot exist, and I think acknowledging that the library does have politics could be a useful place to start in building some kind of trust again."

Creative continues: "Because the Victorian code of conduct is a political document. Positioning artists as the only political entities is incorrect."

A different creative points out that a curatorial statement is also one of the recommendations. Points out that in the curatorial statement they can also make it clear that the library is programming from a particular position.

Helen says the curatorial statement isn’t something that came from the internal review but that "we" (who?) felt it was "important in terms of positioning".

Another artist says SLV needs to point out the duty of care covers MORE than children, it covers everyone in the space. What might trigger a duty of care response for other adults in the space?

That artist continues, saying artists contracted by SLV need to know specifically what is part of their contract in relation to duty of care, because there might be an artist whose ART ITSELF might trigger a duty of care issue without the artist even doing anything to anyone.

Not sure if I'm repeating myself in this thread but in my notes here I apparently said to Kath, "I know you laughed when I said I'd need examples of tweets that might prompt the library to send a cancellation of your event..."

"but I don’t now know, when I was doing the boot camp, was my social media use being monitored by the state library. What did they think about what I said about trans rights, disability rights, access that year? So I think you do need to give clear examples."

My scribbles are badly written now, but apparently I also said, "For example, if you do speak out against genocide in a way that the library finds unacceptable, or if you’re queer & you criticise the state library’s position on this or that...that’s why I don’t feel safe."

Oh I did a little doodle so someone must have been doing corporate speak? But then I write down a whole exchange:

Kath: "Just to be clear, we deferred for all six writers. It wasn’t because they did anything or said anything, it was because of the program."

"Jess: The VPS code of conduct applies right now to this conversation, it includes open and honest communication, can you tell me that their views on Palestine had zero percent to do with the decision made by the library?"

Kath: "the decision, in terms of deferring the teen writing boot camp, was not based on the views, in fact, in the conversation it was determined that the views expressed did not stop the program going ahead."

Jess: "So what views of which author started the review process?"
Kath: "That much I don’t have to hand. But, in terms of process…"
Jess: "So you don’t know which views of which author started it?"

Helen: "I’m not sure this is a productive discussion. I understand your concern."

That's the end of that exchange in my notes.

Next thing I've written down is that I asked how they'd ensure a member of a marginalised commmunity felt safe working at the SLV.

Kath responds that if they make everything very clear to writers about obligations, then people can decide if they want to work at the SLV or not.

Then a creative points out again that creatives will know what has happened, so the library has to deal with that.

Another creative: "Which is WHY you can’t press the reset button, because there isn’t a reset button without transparency."

Same creative, continued: "That’s why we’ve got stuck on this, and we can’t talk about the detail of everything. There is not a reset button for what has happened. So while you’re independent and you’ve come into this without all of that, we haven’t."

Helen: "Helen: So in terms of a reset button, what can be done to overcome that issue?"

MY GOD HELEN, THERE'S NO RESET BUTTON.

Same creative, continued: "Well all the language around why it happened, and why it happened when it happened, is very vague. So all we have is what we have seen, and nothing that has been said in this room refutes that, because nothing specific has been said!"

Helen goes on about being independent and not being here when "it" happened, but has spoken to people and thinks this issue is "really ancillary to this review because this review is about going forward."

GOING FORWARD! MOVING ON! RESET! RESET!

Then Helen starts going on about how she's not an artist and can't step into our shoes, but she IS married to an artist! She used to be a musician! She spends a lot of time with artists! She knows what it is to "live in the artistic world" ... BUT!

"There are some realities about the library."

It's a public sector organisation, not a political entity like we're saying. It has legal responsibilities! It has community expectations! It is a complex situation!

Oh, okay Helen! Thanks!

"This is a preeminent cultural institution in the public sector," Helen says, "and there are just some things that have to be accounted for and complied with."

We're getting a lecture, folks.

"I understand that this has been a very troubling time for people internally and externally, and it’s attracted a lot of media. The library is trying to get things right, but this is not an easy path."

Not easy for them? Not easy for anti genocide authors. Not easy for Gaza.

Helen continues: "Some people will choose not to work with the library, and that is entirely their right, because it may not be a fit, but we have to find a way forward for those who do want to work with the library."

And here is where Helen starts to wind up, thanking us for our frankness, and saying the library "needs frankness".

But only one minute ago, she said if the SLV isn't a good "fit" for artists that's our problem! Our choice not to work with them! Our choice to be outspoken!

Final quote I've written down:

"We had very frank views expressed by the internals this morning. All views may not be able to be accommodated but they have to be heard, and they will be taken back. And I promise you that I will make sure that happens."

Final quote continued: "The go forward may not be suitable to all, and that’s entirely understandable. But at least the library is trying to move forward and find some constructive way of working in what is a complex space."

Oh and I just found recommendation 3 in my notes!

"Third recommendation: Ensure all relevant parties have reference to VPS making Public Comment policy"

I guess I'm off to take a look at what that is!

I assume it's about authors who are suddenly "of the library" making public comments about genocide!

Thanks for sticking with me through possibly the longest twitter thread I've ever written.

The thread is over, as is my respect for SLV. I may add others tweets to this thread if I think you all need to see them.

I'll go back on private soon.

Oh yeah, really truly, they're not going to try and suppress writers free speech once they sign the VPS code of conduct to work with SLV!

https://x.com/fahad_s_ali/status/1811607217906549105

Exactly this. I won't work with a library where management think this is controversial.

https://x.com/TameeOliveFern/status/1811517403769242000

Looking at the VPS code of conduct. Their definition of social media use includes FB, Linked in, Myspace (lol), Flickr, YouTube, Blogs, Twitter, Wikipedia, Podcasting, EMAILS and instant messages! Careful, future teen writing boot camp artists! You're being monitored by SLV!

"Whether using social media for official use, or in a private capacity, staff must not do anything that may adversely affect their standing as a public official or which could bring themselves or the public sector into disrepute."

THIS CAN INCLUDE A "HEATED DEBATE", authors!

"Anyone may raise concerns about behaviour that is inconsistent with the codes of conduct...They do not need to be personally affected by the behaviours or decision."

Hi, whatsapp group that got an ABC journo fired for retweeting a Human Rights Watch tweet!

Ooh you can be subject to a "Review of Actions" if you're a naughty author contracted to the SLV who has signed a VPS code of conduct and you violate that code! You can be made to attend a hearing... this is not just about whether your contract might be terminated.

I've been asked to look into the funding for the teen writing boot camp program. Let's do that in this thread now! It's this long, we might as well make it a bit longer.

Okay, I looked up the website and it says it's funded by "Serp Hills Foundation and The JTM Foundation".

While looking into the funding, I found this Conversation article by @StuartKells on the SLV's crisis of identity and leadership. theconversation.com/the-state-libr…

Looks like Serp Hills' directors are all from the Lefroy family. One of them is also a director at the JTM foundation, and a Deputy Chair at Trinity Grammar School.

Okay, Serp Hills is a trust fund. Is this the Lefroy family from Lefroy Exploration in WA? Or am I getting my Lefroys mixed up?

I've unblocked @Library_Vic temporarily so they can see this thread properly. I'm suprised they asked me, knowing that I frequently live tweet events. As I came out of the meeting, another creative asked, "Are you going to tweet about this now?"

@Library_Vic I also invite you to watch @Library_Vic responding the exact same way to anyone saying they've banned Aboriginal flags by saying that was a mistake! They encourage them! Ask them about Palestinian flags & they start talking about the VPS code of conduct, though...

@Library_Vic OMG this makes me rocking up to that meeting in a "Freedom and Justice for Palestine" shirt even funnier.

Okay so the page for the serp hills trust shows that one director is Dr George Lefroy, who is also on the board for Cobar Consolidated Resources Limited, a mineral exploration and production company. The Company explores for zinc, lead, copper, and gold.

I think this is it:

Dr George Lefroy, +45 years experience, former Executive Vice President Shell Chemicals. Director of SP AusNet and PT Chandra Asri.

Dr. Lefroy apparently holds a doctorate degree from the University of Cambridge and undergraduate and graduate degrees from The University of Western Australia, which means it possibly is the WA mining Lefroys! I'll keep researching.

Okay another serp hill Director and Lefroy family member worked at Shell Group of Companies, too.

@Library_Vic This is important to note. A “draft” that told staff Aboriginal flags would be banned was apparently “accidentally uploaded to the intranet” - now they’re saying they’re not banned. If you ask about Palestinian flags they refer to you to the VPS code of conduct staff signed! Ha!

https://twitter.com/StrewthQueen/status/1811754069263847786

@Library_Vic Just realised I have a photo of me in the @APAN4Palestine t-shirt, on my way to the State Library Victoria’s “duty of care focus group” meeting the other day. #YallMasking? #FreePalestine #StateWhybrary

What are the consequences for telling lies during a Duty of Care Review focus group meeting,@Library_Vic? Doesn't that mean your executive violated the VPS code of conduct?

https://x.com/omarsakrpoet/status/1812627118389690602

This was a serious thing, to imply the affected authors were a DANGER by invoking duty of care and creating a review process to postpone the workshops. This is huge. I hope journalists are paying attention to what the SLV has just tried to do.

https://x.com/omarsakrpoet/status/1812628740805181820

Resharing the image from the below tweet with the text of the email in alt text for accessibility (over 3 images because the alt text was long) #AltTextPalestine #Alt4You

https://twitter.com/omarsakrpoet/status/1812631117838868491

Resharing the image from the below tweet with the text in alt text for accessibility, with the image twice as alt text was long. #AltTextPalestine #Alt4You

https://x.com/omarsakrpoet/status/1812634878581903630?s=46

That’s why I’ve been so angry with the State Library. Being anti genocide is not even political! It’s a duty we ALL have, to be against genocide. Management’s actions - & the money they’re putting into this, our money - make it clear where they stand on genocide.

https://twitter.com/omarsakrpoet/status/1812639083644260571

We now know that SLV puts resources into monitoring social media of authors they work with “in detail”.

I hope you’re reading this thread right now, @Library_Vic.

Shame on you.

@Library_Vic More thoughts from one of the affected authors:

https://twitter.com/cousineggplant/status/1812667628672172165

@Library_Vic I can’t stop reading these lists they made.

- anti genocide activism
- queer activism
- criticism of cops
- First Nations solidarity
- Supporting Indigenous sovereignty

(Go follow @_budgie!)

- member of @withMEAA members for Palestine
- anti genocide activism
- retweets @jewishcouncilAU & @FPMelbourne
- solidarity with @antoinette_news
- went to a protest
- supports journalism
- criticised police violence

Like… this is a list I aspire to

(Go follow @qianjinghua!)

@withMEAA @jewishcouncilAU @FPMelbourne @antoinette_news @qianjinghua - anti genocide activism 🔥
- supports @omarsakrpoet 💖
- retweets @Art4Palestine & @jvplive 🙏

(Go follow @cousineggplant!)

And please go and follow @omarsakrpoet. He’s an award winning poet, targeted by the state library for being passionately anti genocide. He has recently written a series of poems about the Palestinian genocide that I frequently revisit. Please read them:

https://twitter.com/omarsakrpoet/status/1734079977057116180

@omarsakrpoet Omar’s substack that the State Library monitored “in detail” and found “well reasoned” but “controversial” can be subscribed to here: sakr.substack.com

@omarsakrpoet You know what else people can do to support the affected authors? Buy their books. Read their writing. Cheer them on. This whole thing has been really disturbing and distressing for them. I’m sure it has greatly impacted their time, energy, finances & creativity.

@omarsakrpoet I would like to know what one of the main funders of the boot camp, the Lefroy family, think about all this. Anyone know how to contact them?

@omarsakrpoet Anyone know if they’re *laughs in Kath Brown* on Twitter?

@omarsakrpoet Not sure if I’ve linked to this thread from @_budgie yet but it’s important. As Alison says, where’s the accountability?!

https://twitter.com/_budgie/status/1812648024621134262

@omarsakrpoet @_budgie This is what they were still claiming in the focus group meeting of authors and creatives just a few days ago! How do they get away with lying like that?

https://twitter.com/_budgie/status/1812651491188236324

Also this. What the hell, Maxine?

https://twitter.com/kristin8x/status/1812694308610605515

Maxine retweeted this tweet. The article in it is about a poet being punished for his tweets criticising Israel, and for poetry . I… my brain right now.

Another author who was at the Duty of Care Review meeting:

https://twitter.com/EmilyGale/status/1812656593655472238

Exactly. Who lost out because of this? Authors, and the teenagers who want to write!

https://twitter.com/emilygale/status/1812656595740058100

Really important addition to this conversation:

https://twitter.com/snarkywench/status/1812800763707679203

https://twitter.com/snarkywench/status/1812800142107615348

If you go back and look at the original program that teen boot camp came from, it's SO clear that authors are brought in as experts, as external suppliers, not 'of the library' contractors whose work could be replicated by anyone at the state library. cityofliterature.com.au/explore/young-…

"Over three days you'll explore story, poetry and performance, building your creative skills and finding out how to turn your passion into a career."

Notice the word CAREER. Who can help teens understand writing as a career? Writers, experts in writing AS A CAREER.

"Get inspired to write poetry for performing live. You’ll workshop your poems, learn techniques to bring them to life on stage and have the opportunity to speak your truth into the mic."

Who performs poetry live? POETS. Experts in performance poetry, brought in by SLV!

"This is nothing like your English classes. You’ll be led through writing exercises by a published author, crafting a compelling story. Explore different methods of storytelling and develop your own unique voice."

NOTHING LIKE CLASSES because it's led by a PUBLISHED AUTHOR.

I'm still reeling that they got experienced writers in that room & told us that we're covered by the VPS Code of Conduct because THE NATURE OF OUR WORK IS WORK THAT CAN & IS DONE BY OTHERS AT THE SLV. I love librarians and teachers so much, but they DISRESPECTED us & all writers.

Does the @Library_Vic need to have a conversation with @asauthors about how the nature of our work is not easily replicated, and that making a statement like that in a room full of published authors is not only disrespectful, but also harmful to our profession?

@Library_Vic @asauthors That's a statement I think needs to be strenuously challenged. An author is an author. They are not some sort of floating unemployed-public-servant-pool waiting to catch a contract at the library when they want to get someone in to do what they can apparently already do.

@Library_Vic @asauthors When we teach writing, we don't just teach kids how to write. We are able to teach them how to be an artist. And you can bet that I'll be telling kids who want to be artists to be on the look out for institutions that want to make money from their creativity, but don't want THEM.

The fact that this program started out as a program for disadvantaged teens, that made it so clear to them that we brought something really special and unique, and is now being transformed into a writing workshop with gagged, disrespected artists? That is so bleak.

I'm just relooking at this - what demands was @McKewMax going to make of "everyone" including "younger writers doing teen boot camp"? Do they mean they were going to make some kind of demand of the teen writers at boot camps themselves? No Palestine pins?!

https://x.com/_budgie/status/1812650126881735085

@McKewMax Were they actually going to try and stop the kids from talking/writing/thinking about it too? Am I misreading that?

Here we have a response from the @asauthors:

https://x.com/asauthors/status/1813059143076573403

@asauthors Response continued:

https://x.com/asauthors/status/1813059144888557950

@asauthors

https://x.com/asauthors/status/1813059147241562493

@asauthors Writers, @Library_Vic management are monitoring, discussing, & making decisions based on your social media, your involvement in protests AND your religious beliefs, apparently. theage.com.au/culture/books/…