TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — A New College of Florida library administrator has been placed on leave after thousands of books were found in a dumpster on campus, a university spokesperson confirmed to News Channel 8.
Shannon Hausinger, dean of the library, was placed on leave after “the library did not follow all of the state administrative requirements while conducting the routine disposition of materials,” the spokesperson said.
President Richard Corcoran also sent a letter to members of the campus community, blasting media coverage and said the books were damaged by leaks in the roof of the library.
“Unfortunately, much of the coverage has been sensationalized, catering to the narratives of our critics,” Corcoran wrote in the letter. “While the optics of seeing thousands of books in a dumpster are far from ideal, it is important to understand the disposition of materials is a necessary process in libraries, and ensures that our collection remains relevant, up-to-date, and in good condition for our community’s use.”
Corcoran’s letter said that the library has faced “significant challenges” in the last decade, and leaks in the roof have led to materials being damaged.
“Each storm brought further deterioration, with water leaks into various parts of the library, damaging more books,” he wrote. “Our staff often had to resort to covering books with plastic and using trash cans to collect water, only to see new leaks emerge elsewhere.”
He said all of the books that were discarded were “thoroughly evaluated” by “highly-qualified academic librarians,” and noted that the administration has no role in deciding which books to discard.
A spokesperson previously told News Channel 8 that the books were disposed in accordance with state law, which says that the damaged books cannot be sold, transferred, or donated without prior written consent.
