Stating the Facts
In response to “forznoles” post on April 26, LSSI’s role has been incorrectly identified. In fact, if LSSI is to be awarded the contract to operate the Sumter County Library System, we would partner with the County officials to provide innovative solutions and new options to help them successfully surmount their challenges and create a brighter future for the library in support of their citizens.
To be clear, the city/county and Library Board will have more control of your library because there will be more resources available to improve library operations overall. We operate the library for you, but it continues to be YOUR library. Your city, Library Board, and citizens continue to make all policy decisions, drive programs, manage collections, and determine operating hours. By utilizing LSSI as a partner, the County gains the advantage of our collective expertise, and 32 years of experience, to help operate your library more efficiently with improved service, and more cost effectively.
It is important to note LSSI does not take ownership of any library assets, nor make any policy decisions. All property and assets, including the book and AV collections of the libraries we operate, remain the property of the community. Likewise, LSSI does not make any materials selections independent of local materials purchasing policies, which are determined by the County’s Governing Body. Simply stated LSSI buys the books and materials determined by the community and for the community. Furthermore, LSSI does not decide the amounts of fees or fines, or who receives a library card. As a matter of fact, we encourage all citizens the Library Board wants to serve, to fill out an application to receive their library card so as to enjoy the many library services available to them.
In addition, in most instances we retain all or nearly all current employees; they just become employees of LSSI rather than the city or county. This ensures that your library remains as local as possible to the community we serve. Retaining Institutional knowledge is a top priority for LSSI. We're committed to providing better opportunities for every qualified, committed and engaged staff member. Most library contracts are operated on fixed-cost budgets. With regards to the Friends of the Library and any generous public contributions to the Library, LSSI is very strict not to utilize and to determine in any way the use of those monies. The expenditure of any public contributions is determined solely by the respective Governing Board.
You ask how LSSI can possibly provide more for less. We're able to leverage the collective experiences of our many library operations across the nation. We also utilize information systems and automation technologies wherever possible to help relieve our staff members from tedious backroom tasks, and allow them to be out front, engaging with citizens and sharing their knowledge. In most cases operating hours stay the same or even increase, depending on the agreed contract budget. LSSI always strives to increase both hours of operation as a major component of the LSSI solution and materials spending, thereby improving the size of collections available to the public.
If LSSI is to be awarded to partner with Sumter County, be rest assured that LSSI brings communities the experience, technologies, and resources they need to brighten the future for their citizens.
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