Privatizing Sumter County Library System

[forznoles]

At Tuesday night's Sumter Co Board of County Commissioners meeting, talk of privatizing the local public library system has been approved for review. The Board will consider and vote on it soon. Essentially, the only company in the US (LSSI, Library Systems and Services out of Maryland) that does privatized public library systems would "take over" the operations of the Sumter Co library system. Library staff would be LSSI employees, and LSSI would do the operations. Does anyone think this is a good idea? Would you like a national company that has as its goal of making a profit to decide how many books and what books go into your local library? They would determine fees, fines, amount of services (and remember, they want to make a profit), who can get a library card (if you can't prove local residency, they may decide that you don't get a card!), what books are in what libraries and how many, etc. They can decide that the Belvedere library gets Dr. Spock's baby book, and the Lake Panasoffkee library gets large print books. Would a company that wants to make a profit would work with the local Sumter Co Friends of the Library? Why would we even have a Friends of the Library anymore? Wouldn't that be like having a bake sale for Exxon? If you have an opinion on this, please let your County Commissioner know in the next two weeks. The next Board meeting is in Bushnell, not locally in The Villages, on May 14th – if you have any concerns, it is encouraged that you to show up at this meeting or contact the Board in advance.

[JourneyOfLife]

Is it privatization or an outsourcing contract to run operations?

[jblum315]

I'm not happy with our libraries, but then I came here from a public county library system with more than 5 million books so it really is not comparable

[forznoles]

NOT outsourcing. Privaticizing. This company will buy our books in bulk, along with all of the books for the libraries they run. Most of the local libraries that they run are in California. We will get to read what people in California like to read, most likely, if this goes through. The County will still own the buildings and equipment, but LSSI will run the operations - this is much more than a possible "leased employees" outsourcing arrangement.

[mickey100]

My gut reaction was to oppose the move, but after doing a little research, I'm on the fence. This is a link to an article that talks about pros and cons. Are Privatized Public Libraries So Bad? - Amanda Erickson - The Atlantic Cities (http://www.theatlanticcities.com/arts-and-lifestyle/2012/03/are-privatized-public-libraries-so-bad/1583/)

[Bogie Shooter]

Sumter County Commissioners site.
Who they are and contact information.
Sumter County, FL - Official Website - About the Commissioners (http://www.sumtercountyfl.gov/index.aspx?nid=67)

[Taltarzac725]

Would be curious what kind of pensions, salary, etc. the librarians at the libraries in Sumter County get now? This is more about the librarians and how it affects them rather than with the libraries.

I use the Lake County Library System most of the time and rarely use the Sumter County Library System. Some of the librarians at the Lady Lake County Library are quite good and do wonders for their community so I would be against this if it happened at Lady Lake but am not familiar enough with the programs and library workers involved in them at Sumter County to give a good opinion.

It depends more on the local politics, money available, etc. about the general question of privatizing libraries. The American Library Association opposes adamantly this trend but that is an association of librarians for the most part so that makes sense.

If a very good teacher at a Villages High School's job was threatened by a plan to fill in the teacher's spot with the person who would take the least pay and no benefits....

[Harry Gilbert]

Libraries are fast becoming obsolete. So if a private company is willing to supply life support why is that a bad thing?

[Taltarzac725]

Libraries are fast becoming obsolete. So if a private company is willing to supply life support why is that a bad thing?

I do not agree that they are becoming obsolete. I volunteered at two public libraries in Palm Harbor from 2000 through 2003 and the Children's Department at both libraries were very much involved with various programs that entertained, taught, and also supervised various kids. The high schools also had various students volunteering at the library. It seems to depend on the library involved.

The Lady Lake Library also seems to have a very active Children's Department.

[graciegirl]

Libraries are fast becoming obsolete. So if a private company is willing to supply life support why is that a bad thing?

That was my first reaction too.

Waiting to hear what the smart folks have to say.

[Taltarzac725]

That was my first reaction too.

Waiting to hear what the smart folks have to say.

Are Public Libraries Obsolete?: The Shelf Life of a "Dream Vision" - seattlepi.com (http://www.seattlepi.com/lifestyle/blogcritics/article/Are-Public-Libraries-Obsolete-The-Shelf-Life-of-1718186.php)

This tells why libraries are not obsolete. The librarians I volunteered under in Palm Harbor were very active movers and shakers in their community. A little bit too much IMHO at times which led to various forms of corruption, but that's another issue.

[manaboutown]

I never heard of privatizing a public library. They can not possibly be money makers. Rather, they provide many very important services to the community. This is the public library where I now reside and it is one of he prime attractions for me here, (along with a $15/mo 24/7 gym). I visit this library several days each week, use one of its computers when mine breaks down and donate books that I purchase and do not want to keep. The people in this community strongly support their library system.

Newport Beach Public Library : (http://www.newportbeachlibrary.org)

[Harry Gilbert]

Realistically the boomer generation will be the last to fully utilize the library. within 20 years local libraries will be gone. The generations that are coming up have no use for a library. The internet and electronic media have taken the place of printed books. Ask anyone under the age of 50 When was the last time they were in a library? Ask those under 30 where the library is? You won't like either answer.

[manaboutown]

Realistically the boomer generation will be the last to fully utilize the library. within 20 years local libraries will be gone. The generations that are coming up have no use for a library. The internet and electronic media have taken the place of printed books. Ask anyone under the age of 50 When was the last time they were in a library? Ask those under 30 where the library is? You won't like either answer.

When I visit my local library probably 80% of its users are under 50. The place is so popular and busy it is frequently difficult to locate a parking place, even on week days!

[JourneyOfLife]

Libraries seem to continue to extend their offerings. It was mainly books. Now they provide books, music, movies, tv shows (on dvd), internet and computer access, Space for entertainment of kids, on and on.

All of these things are positive things in their own right. But should all of those things be the role of a library?

Plus with ebooks and electronic media is the brick and mortar version quickly becoming obsolete?

This might be a first step to the eventual shuttering the physical library as we know it. As electronic devices (tablets) become cheaper, a physical kiosk (for those without an internet connection) or internet connection could provide access to electronic media.

[Challenger]

IMHO government should do for people what is essential and what they cannot do for themselves. Where does a library fall on this spectrum? Ill be interested in the discussion on this thread

[perrjojo]

I have mixed feelings. On one hand we say there is too much government but on the other hand we want them to run the library. The US postal system looses billions a year but private enterprise FedEx and UPS offer similar services and make a profit.

[paulandjean]

At Tuesday night's Sumter Co Board of County Commissioners meeting, talk of privatizing the local public library system has been approved for review. The Board will consider and vote on it soon. Essentially, the only company in the US (LSSI, Library Systems and Services out of Maryland) that does privatized public library systems would "take over" the operations of the Sumter Co library system. Library staff would be LSSI employees, and LSSI would do the operations. Does anyone think this is a good idea? Would you like a national company that has as its goal of making a profit to decide how many books and what books go into your local library? They would determine fees, fines, amount of services (and remember, they want to make a profit), who can get a library card (if you can't prove local residency, they may decide that you don't get a card!), what books are in what libraries and how many, etc. They can decide that the Belvedere library gets Dr. Spock's baby book, and the Lake Panasoffkee library gets large print books. Would a company that wants to make a profit would work with the local Sumter Co Friends of the Library? Why would we even have a Friends of the Library anymore? Wouldn't that be like having a bake sale for Exxon? If you have an opinion on this, please let your County Commissioner know in the next two weeks. The next Board meeting is in Bushnell, not locally in The Villages, on May 14th – if you have any concerns, it is encouraged that you to show up at this meeting or contact the Board in advance.

Not sure. If you want a national company ,thats there to make a profit running our library. Look at it this way, You have national companies running our charter schools for profit,and you can guess how well they are doing. "NOT" So watch out for what you are wishing for.

[manaboutown]

As a possible future villager I certainly hope the Sumter County library system does not go the way of the parades in The Villages!

[Taltarzac725]

As a possible future villager I certainly hope the Sumter County library system does not go the way of the parades in The Villages!

That would be a shame. I do not see them phasing out the library system in the Villages; just putting in cheaper workers if the libraries are privatized and giving citizens of the county much less say in what happens at the libraries in their community.

The Lady Lake Library has a very active Children's Department and when the two sections were in the same building (Children's and Adult's) before they built the new Lady Lake Library, there were a lot of kids and teens in the library.

[rhood]

I think that the commissioners are copping out and just want to wash their hands of the library system. It is just one more thing that they have to mess with.

I haven't been in a library or a bookstore since I got my Kindle.

[Taltarzac725]

I think that the commissioners are copping out and just want to wash their hands of the library system. It is just one more thing that they have to mess with.

I haven't been in a library or a bookstore since I got my Kindle.

Does anyone have information about the numbers involved in this? How much money will it save the County by doing this? How many people use the library system in Sumter County? What's the breakdown if they have one in numbers of kids vs. adults that use the library system now? What's the Library budget for Sumter County? What's the Budget of Sumter County?

I know that often 75% of the more popular books were often gone from the shelves at Belvedere Library (Sumter County) near the Villages HS. This is information from my parents who use that library about every week.

[2BNTV]

I like the feel of a book in my hand so I hope this benefits the library sytem.

[janmcn]

I have mixed feelings. On one hand we say there is too much government but on the other hand we want them to run the library. The US postal system looses billions a year but private enterprise FedEx and UPS offer similar services and make a profit.

FedEx and UPS used private dollars to start up their companies. I'm assuming this CA company wants to run the library with Sumter County tax dollars. It could get very interesting if a progressive CA company starts deciding what Sumter County residents will read.

BTW: The US postal service gets zero tax dollars.

[Taltarzac725]

Library Systems & Services, LLC. (http://www.lssi.com/faqs.html)


http://www.lssi.com/communities.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Library_Systems_%26_Services

http://www.lssi.com/communitylist.cfm

[Harry Gilbert]

I don't know Librarians earn in Florida, In Jersey its roughly 65K. By looking at the contractors website I'm guessing that they won't be matching the present salaries wherever they are awarded the contract

[OlThymer48]

So far the only county in Florida to privatize their library is Osceola; I've been to a few of their libraries vacationing over the years, and since the private company took over, there are a lot more empty shelves, and they put little signs up that say "This space reserved for books not yet written," which to me is code for "we're not buying any more books for you." My wife and I both go to Belvedere and Pinellas Plaza (at least 1-2 times a week), and the staff at both have always been so great in helping find books and getting us set up on the Kindle, they even know my name and say hello when I come in. 3-4 years ago when we became permanent residents, the system wasn't that great, but it has improved so much; I would hate to see some company come in and ruin it.

[signal63]

If LSSI takes over the library system it will affect all of us, the services which you now have may be eliminated or you may pay a fee. In Osceola County late fees and copy fees are higher, they don't offer fax services . Do you really want to lose the ability to have an input on what the libraries order? Or how about the programming, are you ready to pay a fee ? And how about the employees who help you choose your reading material, or help you find the information you need, they will have to apply for a position with LSSI and then hope they have a retirement and health plan or look elsewhere for a position because the county is not making provisions for job placement.

[travelguy]

I visit a library no less than once a week. The services provided are community-based and as such are unique and reflective of what the community needs and wants. A private company has no allegiance to the community; their motivation is profit.
I do not like the direction this is taking.

[Wiseoldfool]

Run improperly the library can certainly be run cheaper. And as incompetence drives folks away from lack of interest the library will be thought of as obsolete. This is just a way to eliminate the drag of the retirement system and management of the library system. For the people that have been around remember back to when the libraries were an afterthought kept running by a few dedicated volunteers and city budget leftovers and donations. Now the county is being served by professional staffs who continually adapt to the community's needs. And last but not least, don't forget the smell test. A commissioner brings up the idea out of the blue (wasn't on the agenda), the commission agrees to look into it, and less than 12 hours later library employees are told that they need to start deciding their future employment plans for after Oct 1, 2013.
:jester:

[forznoles]

A few things to note from previous posts that I've seen:

To those who use Lake County libraries and doesn't think this will affect them - Lake is considering this as well, and considering the ties between Lake and Sumter (i.e. Lake/Sumter Community College, etc.), if Sumter does this, the odds of Lake doing it as well go up tremendously. Lake County is in even a more serious budget crunch than Sumter, and cutting their local library costs will make even more sense.

Obviously, "privaticizing" or "outsourcing" - it depends on your definition - no, the libraries will not be solely run to make a profit on user fees and late fees. Sumter Co will pay LSSI to run the operations. But, it is much more than just the employees on another company's payroll - many of the decisions and local operations will be outsourced as well - the things that truly make the Sumter Co library your "local" library.

Talt725 - you bring up good questions. In many aspects, the library is "muddled" in with so many other things that it is tough to pull numbers out. The library employees are County employees, and as such are in the FRS (Florida Retirement System), at the same cost for pension as any other non-high-risk County employee (police and fire get additional FRS benefits as they are considered high-risk, at a greater cost to us, the taxpayers). One other thing to note - any current library (County) employee who has children going to the local charter school - if they go on with LSSI, they will have to pull their children out of the charter school - because LSSI employees will not qualify to send their children to the charter school. That said, the intent of this is to save dollars - not only may the County reduce the cost of the libraries, they will also be able to reduce the burden to other departments (i.e. Human Resources) that serve the library internally, as LSSI has their own HR department. Sumter Co has done internal outsourcing before (i.e. internal IT), but I think this will be the first big push into privaticizing/outsourcing an area of the County that has so much actual face-time and personal interaction with their constituents.

I didn't say this was a California company. This is a Maryland company with a large amount of their clients in California. LSSI will buy their books in bulk and ship them out to the libraries they oversee. Do you think that, when buying in bulk, they will pay much attention to our local needs as opposed to buying books in bulk that may serve the majority of their clients? Large print books, books aimed at the local community and patrons, etc. may be minimized, in order for LSSI to make a better profit.

Those who use ebooks - if you use the Sumter Co system to check out ebooks, that may change as well. And, ebooks cost libraries just like paper books - and LSSI wants to minimize costs to save money. Therefore, potentially fewer ebook offerings....

Wiseoldfool - yes, after I heard about this on Wednesday, I looked back on the agenda of the Tuesday board meeting - there is nothing there. It does make you wonder. And, what makes me wonder even more - library employees are told to decide their future employment even before the Board has had a chance to negotiate, look at, or sign a contract with LSSI. It appears the "higher ups" in Sumter County feel that this is a done-deal, even without the opportunity for input from the constituents. I get the distinct feeling that they don't want to hear from us....

If you have opinions on this, either way, you should make your voice heard to the County Commissioners.

[ilovetv]

When the mega-stores of Borders and Barnes & Noble appeared in mall areas not that long ago, they were immediately filled with people reading books there for free, and buying some of them, because there was, and still is no way, a small to medium local public library can provide the vast inventory and selections that one of these publicly owned stock companies could.

That is why I see little concern about feared censorship and placing only select reading material by a contracted company. People seem to have no trouble with the "free" reading materials they find at Barnes & Noble, sitting there reading books, newspapers and magazines right there in the lounges/chairs placed there just as public libraries do.

And then when customers buy the reading materials, that revenue goes toward purchasing more and expanded inventory....which people come and read for hours for free. Revenue buys inventory. Gee. What a concept!

[forznoles]

ilovetv -

I have to disagree completely. In the case of Borders (now bankrupt and gone!) and B&N, their goal is to mazimize profit by having customers buy as many books as possible. Therefore, more books for more people to buy!

In the case of LSSI, they will receive a fixed amount from Sumter Co to run the operations, regardless of number books checked out, patronage, etc. Books, in the case of LSSI, are a cost to be minimized in order to maximize profit.

COMPLETELY opposite concepts! In the case of those for-profit bookstores you mentioned, more books mean more profit - yes. In the case of LSSI, fewer books means more profit. And if you believe the profit motive will be the driving factor for LSSI, why do you think there will be more books and expanding inventory, when actually fewer books will mean more profit for them?

And let's touch on another subject of censorship. Library usage is completely personal and private in Sumter Co - you can go online, go to the Tax Collector, Property Appraiser and Clerk of Court websites, and find out in seconds how much your neighbor's house is worth, when he paid his property taxes, what else he owns, and when was his last speeding ticket, his original mortgage amount, and whether he's been arrested. You can NOT find out what books he's checked out or whether he has overdue fines - that's private. How do we know that LSSI doesn't send a quarterly report to the Federal Government that details everyone who has checked out a book on guns or Islam? I'm not saying they do, but I'm saying that information will be in the hands of a company out of Maryland, that may not have the same privacy protections that our local government has....

[Number 6]

I fail to see how providing library services is an essential function of government. With governments of all levels facing tough budget decisions, here is a place to save some money. Where are all of the Ron Paul supporters now? We all want smaller government, unless it effects us.

[ilovetv]

ilovetv -

I have to disagree completely. In the case of Borders (now bankrupt and gone!) and B&N, their goal is to mazimize profit by having customers buy as many books as possible. Therefore, more books for more people to buy!

In the case of LSSI, they will receive a fixed amount from Sumter Co to run the operations, regardless of number books checked out, patronage, etc. Books, in the case of LSSI, are a cost to be minimized in order to maximize profit.

COMPLETELY opposite concepts! In the case of those for-profit bookstores you mentioned, more books mean more profit - yes. In the case of LSSI, fewer books means more profit. And if you believe the profit motive will be the driving factor for LSSI, why do you think there will be more books and expanding inventory, when actually fewer books will mean more profit for them?

And let's touch on another subject of censorship. Library usage is completely personal and private in Sumter Co - you can go online, go to the Tax Collector, Property Appraiser and Clerk of Court websites, and find out in seconds how much your neighbor's house is worth, when he paid his property taxes, what else he owns, and when was his last speeding ticket, his original mortgage amount, and whether he's been arrested. You can NOT find out what books he's checked out or whether he has overdue fines - that's private. How do we know that LSSI doesn't send a quarterly report to the Federal Government that details everyone who has checked out a book on guns or Islam? I'm not saying they do, but I'm saying that information will be in the hands of a company out of Maryland, that may not have the same privacy protections that our local government has....

On the above statements I highlighted in bold:

- Though Borders went bankrupt, all the stores in the midwest I saw closed were replaced by Books a Million stores.

- Go to any Barnes and Noble megastore such as the one here at Lake Sumter Landing, and you will see plenty of people there every day, reading for free and if they did not find book and materials on both the far right-wing AND the far leftwing (and in the middle), they would not go there and spend so much time reading and then maybe spending their money. Whenever I look at what people have in their hands for reading there, I see all kinds of titles and subjects, far right, far left, new age, classic literature with often tens of copies of single titles on the shelf and not checked out or reserved for months....which public libraries don't have the money to buy in such numbers.

- I consider it "censorship" of sorts, whenever I've gone to a public library to try to borrow a copy of a current best selling book, and the measly 2 or three copies are always checked out for the next 6 months! The reason people go and read and maybe buy at B&N etc. is because they cannot GET a copy of current bestsellers at the library! (Enter kindles, nooks, etc.....and then people are buying from a publicly owned stock corporation like Barnes & Noble!)

- I do not believe profit motive will be the driving factor for LSSI. They are being contracted with a contract for a finite amount of money, not a continuing blank check! Whatever profit they get will be worked into the contract and the amount of money our county agrees to pay them. And, it seems to me that various contractors would BID competitively for such a contract. We the voter-consumers are going to be right there when the contract is up in a couple of years, telling our elected commissioners they'd better hire somebody else because what this contractor is doing stinks!

- We, the public are still in control of what the contracted company does and supplies or refuses to supply according to its contractual obligations, because we VOTE for the commissioners who sign contracts with and PAY the contracted company with OUR tax money.

- During all the years our kids were in school and I did college and graduate work myself, the local public libraries, though fairly good, never had any more than the kids' high school library had to offer, and so what we would always do is go to a state university library in the various metro areas where we lived, and we would research all the public and private college and university libraries in the state if we couldn't find what we wanted on the shelves there. Then we would order books for 2-day delivery from any college/university library in the state....for free. Maybe the public does not know that state residents with an ID or drivers' license can use the college and university network and local college/university library that way, to check out books and materials.

- Why be concerned about the private contractor divulging to the state or federal government what kind of books you or your kids check out, when all public K-12 school libraries and all state university systems have and can USE or MISUSE the records of what you have done an internet or intranet search for (like seeking how to build a pressure-cooker bomb for massacre); have checked out for borrowed use; have returned or not returned and are getting charged the full price of the item for; and have ordered thru the statewide library network of all private and public colleges and universities in the state!

Why is it okay for state and federal government to have all our library reading and computerized searches available to themselves from our public K-12 schools and universities' libraries????

[janmcn]

I fail to see how providing library services is an essential function of government. With governments of all levels facing tough budget decisions, here is a place to save some money. Where are all of the Ron Paul supporters now? We all want smaller government, unless it effects us.

The only way to get the government out of library services is to cut off all taxpayer funds. Let this private company use it's own capital to purchase space and run the libraries as a business, charging fees for services.

Every time a private company gets it's hands on taxpayer dollars, services and current employees suffer.

This privatizing has been the trend in Florida the last few years with the prisons, schools, and now libraries.

[Number 6]

The only way to get the government out of library services is to cut off all taxpayer funds. Let this private company use it's own capital to purchase space and run the libraries as a business, charging fees for services.

Every time a private company gets it's hands on taxpayer dollars, services and current employees suffer.

This privatizing has been the trend in Florida the last few years with the prisons, schools, and now libraries.

You got it. I am proposing that government get out of the book, etc. business. Why are tax dollars needed to support this? Let's let those who use it, pay for it. Heck, I thought this was a conservative community. Don't even get me started on government owned golf courses!

[LisaLibrarian]

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.

[Taltarzac725]

I fail to see how providing library services is an essential function of government. With governments of all levels facing tough budget decisions, here is a place to save some money. Where are all of the Ron Paul supporters now? We all want smaller government, unless it effects us.

This writer makes a very good case why libraries are essential. Libraries are an essential service, too - CSMonitor.com (http://www.csmonitor.com/2005/0311/p09s01-coop.html) I do have a bias here being a life long user of public libraries as well as someone who has volunteered and/or worked in four public libraries and has a Masters Degree in Librarianship and Information Management from the University of Denver (Class of Spring, 1984).

But in fact, libraries are essential. Reading is still the most basic survival skill in today's information-driven society. Moreover, the gap between rich and poor is widening, and the libraries level the playing field.

A danger greater than closing is that if we keep pauperizing libraries, they will deteriorate to the point that it will not be worth going at all. For children from homes where the only book is the telephone directory, the library is their one great hope. But if they go and find nothing to read, they will soon be watching television instead.

The best way to build community political support is with tax revenues and borrowing plans specifically linked to libraries. But the ultimate responsibility lies with those who use and love libraries to lend personal support and to pressure elected representatives to provide adequate money for them.

If anything, we ought to be increasing library hours and services. This is no time to be locking up the books. What in the name of Ben Franklin is going on here?

I see education as an essential element of US society and that includes free access to life long learning through public libraries.

[Number 6]

This writer makes a very good case why libraries are essential. Libraries are an essential service, too - CSMonitor.com (http://www.csmonitor.com/2005/0311/p09s01-coop.html) I do have a bias here being a life long user of public libraries as well as someone who has volunteered and/or worked in four public libraries and has a Masters Degree in Librarianship and Information Management from the University of Denver (Class of Spring, 1984).



I see education as an essential element of US society and that includes free access to life long learning through public libraries.

All right. Then let those who use the service pay for it, if it is so esssential. Why should I have to pay for it (through tax) if I don't choose to use it?

[Taltarzac725]

All right. Then let those who use the service pay for it, if it is so esssential. Why should I have to pay for it (through tax) if I don't choose to use it?

Why should you pay for cops, firemen, water treatment, public golf courses, elementary through high school through community colleges, prisons, roads, etc??


In the Library with the Lead Pipe » Are You Worth It? What Return on Investment Can and Can (http://www.inthelibrarywiththeleadpipe.org/2009/are-you-worth-it-what-return-on-investment/)

Lots of good ideas about libraries and why they are important in this link-- http://www.huffingtonpost.com/news/libraries-in-crisis/

[mulligan]

Now we're getting somewhere. Let's have a pay per use fire department !!

[janmcn]

Now we're getting somewhere. Let's have a pay per use fire department !!

How about volunteer firemen? This works well in many communities, and with all the adults sitting around with plenty of time on their hands, it could work well in The Villages.

[Bonnevie]

I love libraries. Where I lived growing up we had one of those beautiful old buildings built, I think, during the depression to provide jobs. It had nooks and crannies and you could find a little cubby space and spend hours doing school work or reading. Growing up in a family of 5 kids in a 3 bedroom one bath house that was often chaotic, the library was a quiet refuge. To this day, whenever I walk into a library I get the same sense of peace and fondness. In Pinellas County we have a wonderful library system. It's one of the things I'll miss when I move. I also love the feel of a book and if you are a reader and have a book, you never mind waiting.

[OlThymer48]

All right. Then let those who use the service pay for it, if it is so esssential. Why should I have to pay for it (through tax) if I don't choose to use it?

That's all well & good, Number 6, but you're still going to be paying for the libraries with your taxes, it will just be going to this company. Just another case of businesses dipping their lines into government support because they can't support themselves. I've made a few phone calls to Sumter, and did some of my own digging, according to their own budget (which I found on their website, under their Financial Services department, I recommend everyone take a look and see where the fat really is), the libraries only amount to just over 1% of the county's money. You don't seriously think that your property (or any other) taxes are going to go down do you?

And to LisaLibrarian, that was a very eloquent and thought out sales pitch, but unfortunately, but I don't buy it. A corporation doesn't have to worry about transparency like the government does. You can preach all you want about control staying in the hands of the people, but all that is really happening is government sold to the lowest (and in this case ONLY) bidder.

I like my libraries as they are. If they get bought out, I'll be one more customer Sumter County won't have to cater to.

By the way, janmcn, a good portion of Sumter County's fire department is volunteer, I've run into a few of them around, good kids. But for now excuse me, the wife & I are heading to Peachwave.

[Moderator]

The topic is potential privatization of Sumter County library. A number of posts have strayed off topic into other governmental and somewhat political issues. Please try to stay on topic or this thread may have to be closed.

[notsocranky]

This is a sham. LSSI is a for profit entity, their own web page even uses the word "outsource". LisaLibrarian is clearly an operative for LSSI. What is not being said, that those who may be re-hired will have part time hours, no benefits, and minimum wages. What also is not being said, is that it will not work here. Your library, traditionally the hub of the community, will no longer be. It will no longer be a viable place for community activities. Gone .........no more special days for seniors, no more children's hours, no more learning opportunities. One person here mentioned the Lady Lake Library. Be clear, the Lady Lake Library is not part of the Lake County Library system. It is an entity of the town of Lake Lake.
Given the way in which this all came about, LSSI not on the agenda, library employees given notice in 12 hours of this meeting, something is shady........very very shady. The next meeting was scheduled for May 14, but it has been conveniently "postponed" canceled in fact.Either the deal has already been done (in which case it is in violation of the Sun Shine Laws) or some of our illustrious commissioners are on the take. What have they been promised in exchange for this contract? Money? Buildings? Kick-backs?
Sad and appalling that these commissioners care nothing for those employees, care nothing for the people of Sumter County. Care nothing for the historic aspects of what a community library represents. Shame on you all.

[Taltarzac725]

This is a sham. LSSI is a for profit entity, their own web page even uses the word "outsource". LisaLibrarian is clearly an operative for LSSI. What is not being said, that those who may be re-hired will have part time hours, no benefits, and minimum wages. What also is not being said, is that it will not work here. Your library, traditionally the hub of the community, will no longer be. It will no longer be a viable place for community activities. Gone .........no more special days for seniors, no more children's hours, no more learning opportunities. One person here mentioned the Lady Lake Library. Be clear, the Lady Lake Library is not part of the Lake County Library system. It is an entity of the town of Lake Lake.
Given the way in which this all came about, LSSI not on the agenda, library employees given notice in 12 hours of this meeting, something is shady........very very shady. The next meeting was scheduled for May 14, but it has been conveniently "postponed" canceled in fact.Either the deal has already been done (in which case it is in violation of the Sun Shine Laws) or some of our illustrious commissioners are on the take. What have they been promised in exchange for this contract? Money? Buildings? Kick-backs?
Sad and appalling that these commissioners care nothing for those employees, care nothing for the people of Sumter County. Care nothing for the historic aspects of what a community library represents. Shame on you all.

I can pull in books and get them sent to Lady Lake Library from any library in the Lake County Library System. Unless you are talking about funding for the library, Lady Lake Library is part of the Lake County Library System.

Libraries - Lake County Library System (http://www.mylakelibrary.org/libraries/default.aspx)

Fruitland Park seems to have the same kind of funding through the City. http://www.fruitlandpark.org/library.html

[notsocranky]

As a retired employee of the Lady Lake Library, I am fully aware where the funding comes from, but the issue is Sumter County privatizing the libraries here. It is not a good deal for the people of Sumter County. Just as privatizing the EMS is turning out to be fiasco, this will too.

[cbg150]

I see education as an essential element of US society and that includes free access to life long learning through public libraries.

Exactly! And libraries exist to serve the community, not to turn a profit!

Sent from my KFJWI using Tapatalk 2

[Goodgriefcb]

Villagers beware! LSSI is not who they tout to be. Before the naysayers start up on the "libraries are obsolete" mumbo jumbo, I think you should first google info on LSSI and then go visit your local library to ask the reference librarian to pull up information. It's amazing what tricks the trained professional has in their arsenal to find quality information on any subject. Lisa Librarian is a sales person trying to sell you all a fantasy.
I hate to assume anything but I figure the naysayers either wear blinders or are just in denial. Yeah the Internet and ebooks are here to stay, but thre is a huge group of people out there in the real world that cannot afford computers, Internet access or ebooks/ and their various devices. I work full time and even I can't afford those luxuries. Libraries are necessary to those people. They include seniors on a fixed budget, families of all backgrounds, a parent who cannot work due to a serious injury on an unsafe job site, etc. without the library, they no longer have the means to better their lives, educate themselves or their children. Many studies have been done and a community without a library, has a lower literacy rate. Lower literacy rates means higher crime rates. Why anyone would complain about the tiny amount you pay in taxes to sustain a library is beyond me. Even if you don't personally use it, it still benefits you in the long run and consider it your pay it forward contribution to humankind.
To those who do use the library, you may think working in a library is a well paid cushy job. It's a low paying and mainly difficult job. LSSI will come in and fire the staff and then rehire them back at lower wages and part time hours. Unless you have money trees growing in your yard, I am sure you are aware of the job situation and how much things cost. If you think that the staff you count on to help you will remain try to remember part time at near minimum wages does not a family feed, clothe, or shelter. They will be replaced with lower educated people who do not have the expertise or experience nor a love of the library. To them it's just another crappy job. Turn over will be high because who wants to put up with angry problem people all day for peanuts. If you think working the circulation desk is pleasant, work one for a week. So count your blessings that familiar faces you see all the time at your local branch are there for now. Most know their patrons and its so nice to have friendly personalized service. That will be gone.
Sorry for my rant but please demand from your county admin to thoroughly research this company and be forthcoming with the findings. Ask your reference people to pull up info for you and lastly, stand up and loud defend and support your library.

[Taltarzac725]

Villagers beware! LSSI is not who they tout to be. Before the naysayers start up on the "libraries are obsolete" mumbo jumbo, I think you should first google info on LSSI and then go visit your local library to ask the reference librarian to pull up information. It's amazing what tricks the trained professional has in their arsenal to find quality information on any subject. Lisa Librarian is a sales person trying to sell you all a fantasy.
I hate to assume anything but I figure the naysayers either wear blinders or are just in denial. Yeah the Internet and ebooks are here to stay, but thre is a huge group of people out there in the real world that cannot afford computers, Internet access or ebooks/ and their various devices. I work full time and even I can't afford those luxuries. Libraries are necessary to those people. They include seniors on a fixed budget, families of all backgrounds, a parent who cannot work due to a serious injury on an unsafe job site, etc. without the library, they no longer have the means to better their lives, educate themselves or their children. Many studies have been done and a community without a library, has a lower literacy rate. Lower literacy rates means higher crime rates. Why anyone would complain about the tiny amount you pay in taxes to sustain a library is beyond me. Even if you don't personally use it, it still benefits you in the long run and consider it your pay it forward contribution to humankind.
To those who do use the library, you may think working in a library is a well paid cushy job. It's a low paying and mainly difficult job. LSSI will come in and fire the staff and then rehire them back at lower wages and part time hours. Unless you have money trees growing in your yard, I am sure you are aware of the job situation and how much things cost. If you think that the staff you count on to help you will remain try to remember part time at near minimum wages does not a family feed, clothe, or shelter. They will be replaced with lower educated people who do not have the expertise or experience nor a love of the library. To them it's just another crappy job. Turn over will be high because who wants to put up with angry problem people all day for peanuts. If you think working the circulation desk is pleasant, work one for a week. So count your blessings that familiar faces you see all the time at your local branch are there for now. Most know their patrons and its so nice to have friendly personalized service. That will be gone.
Sorry for my rant but please demand from your county admin to thoroughly research this company and be forthcoming with the findings. Ask your reference people to pull up info for you and lastly, stand up and loud defend and support your library.

Well put. Does anyone know which Sumter County Administrator opened up on this discussion in the first place? I do live in Sumter County and would have a little say in this decision. I use Lake County Library System by paying a $20 a 6 month long fee per household, Sumter County residents have to pay to use that Library System. I use Sumter County Library once in a while if a book or DVD I would like to check out only shows up at Sumter County.

I volunteered at East Lake Community Library and Palm Harbor Library for three years and much of that time was on the Circulation Desk. It is a hard job.

[signal63]

I believe it was District 2 Comissioner who brought it up in the meeting, and the County Administrator advised he would have staff look into the subject. It is my understanding that the employees were notified the next day. I guess perhaps his staff worked diligently through the night or maybe this was in the works before anyone knew. And does anyone else find it odd that LSSI cared to comment on this board? As a new resident I am baffled here I was thinking it was the friendliest hometown.

[Taltarzac725]

I believe it was District 2 Comissioner who brought it up in the meeting, and the County Administrator advised he would have staff look into the subject. It is my understanding that the employees were notified the next day. I guess perhaps his staff worked diligently through the night or maybe this was in the works before anyone knew. And does anyone else find it odd that LSSI cared to comment on this board? As a new resident I am baffled here I was thinking it was the friendliest hometown.

TOTV seems to be viewed by many groups and organizations. I would have been surprised had LSSI not posted something on TOTV.

We could all send e-mails to the County Commissioners of our District about our feelings and ideas one way or another about change at the Sumter County Library System. Obviously, this affects the Bushnell Library and other Sumter County libraries as well. http://www.sumtercountyfl.gov/BusinessDirectoryII.aspx?lngBusinessCategoryID=27

[signal63]

Yes this will affect all of the branches of the library...it will be countywide.

[travelguy]

Libraries rely a lot on volunteers, especially on things like fund-raising (who do you think takes care of book sales to raise extra money?) If the library goes private who would want to volunteer their time and energy to 'help' a private/profit-making enterprise? A library is part of the community, part of 'the village' that we all inhabit, and as such we are stewards of the community. We take care of the community, and that includes institutions such as libraries, and schools, and little league, and such......not everything has to be privatized.

[Taltarzac725]

Libraries rely a lot on volunteers, especially on things like fund-raising (who do you think takes care of book sales to raise extra money?) If the library goes private who would want to volunteer their time and energy to 'help' a private/profit-making enterprise? A library is part of the community, part of 'the village' that we all inhabit, and as such we are stewards of the community. We take care of the community, and that includes institutions such as libraries, and schools, and little league, and such......not everything has to be privatized.

It looks like the volunteers still show up some libraries run by this company which seems to have a lot of librarians in its staff. Not sure what kind of company this is? If it has benefits like dental, medical, pension plan, etc. for its employees. We also do not know what kind of salaries it pays its employees. http://www.libraryjournal.com/lj/home/887353-264/lssi_wins_new_contract_in.html.csp

http://theavtimes.com/2012/12/06/library-systems-services-selected-to-operate-palmdale-city-library/

http://lssi.com/news.cfm

Kind of an old article about LSSI but interesting-- http://www.libraryjournal.com/article/CA456252.html

[Number 6]

The topic is potential privatization of Sumter County library. A number of posts have strayed off topic into other governmental and somewhat political issues. Please try to stay on topic or this thread may have to be closed.

I take your point. Sometimes the difference between "political" and "philosophical" is pretty blurred. I am, as you may guess by my posts, a small government libertarian.

[Solutions4Government]

Many here are regurgitating the same falsehoods used each time a city or county looks at ways to provide services at a price taxpayers can afford.

Osceola County is an hour away - get in your car and go see for yourself - talk to their employees, patrons and friends of the library - see for yourselves what the TRUTH is about outsourcing the management of libraries.

My goodness, libraries are about communities and learning but we keep falling on the same uninformed patterns of the past - the world is flat - the sun revolves around the earth - they will steal our libraries.

Please get yourselves informed.

[Bogie Shooter]

Many here are regurgitating the same falsehoods used each time a city or county looks at ways to provide services at a price taxpayers can afford.

Osceola County is an hour away - get in your car and go see for yourself - talk to their employees, patrons and friends of the library - see for yourselves what the TRUTH is about outsourcing the management of libraries.

My goodness, libraries are about communities and learning but we keep falling on the same uninformed patterns of the past - the world is flat - the sun revolves around the earth - they will steal our libraries.

Please get yourselves informed.

Interesting user name.

[LndLocked]

Many here are regurgitating the same falsehoods used each time a city or county looks at ways to provide services at a price taxpayers can afford.

Osceola County is an hour away - get in your car and go see for yourself - talk to their employees, patrons and friends of the library - see for yourselves what the TRUTH is about outsourcing the management of libraries.

My goodness, libraries are about communities and learning but we keep falling on the same uninformed patterns of the past - the world is flat - the sun revolves around the earth - they will steal our libraries.

Please get yourselves informed.

Lisa Librarian ... is that you?

[downeaster]

There is a detailed article in today's Daily Sun.

[Taltarzac725]

There is a detailed article in today's Daily Sun.

Thanks for that input.

[OlThymer48]

I read that article in the Sun this morning, and what worries me is that the County Administrator sounds almost like "Lisa Librarian," but it also wreaks of a lot of political spin. He doesn't really explain how privatizing the library will save money, only that it will. What the article also fails to mention is that Gail Burgess from the Library Advisory Board, is the wife of County Commissioner Don Burgess. I only hope that Commissioner Burgess shares the opinions of his wife, and is on the side of the libraries; if such is the case I will continue to vote for him at every election. I urge not just all Sumter residents, but anyone who uses our great libraries, to get in touch with the commissioners and the administrator and tell them that we want to keep our libraries, we don't want them sold off to a for-profit from Maryland.

According to their website, their phone number is (352) 689-4400; and their emails are:
al.butler@sumtercountyfl.gov (Villages)
Doug.Gilpin@sumtercountyfl.gov (Wildwood area)
don.burgess@sumtercountyfl.gov (Villages)
Garry.Breeden@sumtercountyfl.gov (southern Sumter County)
Don.Hahnfeldt@sumtercountyfl.gov (Villages-Wildwood area).

I hope you will all do as I will, and let them know often that we want to keep our libraries public. If I want a book from a for-profit, I'll buy it from Barnes & Noble the next time I'm at the Landing!

[Taltarzac725]

I read that article in the Sun this morning, and what worries me is that the County Administrator sounds almost like "Lisa Librarian," but it also wreaks of a lot of political spin. He doesn't really explain how privatizing the library will save money, only that it will. What the article also fails to mention is that Gail Burgess from the Library Advisory Board, is the wife of County Commissioner Don Burgess. I only hope that Commissioner Burgess shares the opinions of his wife, and is on the side of the libraries; if such is the case I will continue to vote for him at every election. I urge not just all Sumter residents, but anyone who uses our great libraries, to get in touch with the commissioners and the administrator and tell them that we want to keep our libraries, we don't want them sold off to a for-profit from Maryland.

According to their website, their phone number is (352) 689-4400; and their emails are:
al.butler@sumtercountyfl.gov (Villages)
Doug.Gilpin@sumtercountyfl.gov (Wildwood area)
don.burgess@sumtercountyfl.gov (Villages)
Garry.Breeden@sumtercountyfl.gov (southern Sumter County)
Don.Hahnfeldt@sumtercountyfl.gov (Villages-Wildwood area).

I hope you will all do as I will, and let them know often that we want to keep our libraries public. If I want a book from a for-profit, I'll buy it from Barnes & Noble the next time I'm at the Landing!

I was taken aback a bit too with that article. It did not give any real reasons why the library was going to be run by a private company other than the small government philosophy. Libraries are for people to get better informed about their governments and can and should play a big role as a check and balance on other government bodies. Think the Founding Fathers were very much aware of this as so many of them had their own private libraries (Jefferson and Adams) or in Ben Franklin's case established a private subscription library for his friends and acquaintances to use. http://www.libraryhistorybuff.com/benfranklin.htm Franklin also played a role in founding other New England area libraries.

[asianthree]

Thanks for posting the article

[GatorFan]

Please call the county commissioners office and advise them of how you feel.

[Solutions4Government]

LSSI will come in and fire the staff and then rehire them back at lower wages and part time hours. Unless you have money trees growing in your yard, I am sure you are aware of the job situation and how much things cost. If you think that the staff you count on to help you will remain try to remember part time at near minimum wages does not a family feed, clothe, or shelter. They will be replaced with lower educated people who do not have the expertise or experience nor a love of the library. To them it's just another crappy job. Turn over will be high because who wants to put up with angry problem people all day for peanuts. If you think working the circulation desk is pleasant, work one for a week. So count your blessings that familiar faces you see all the time at your local branch are there for now. Most know their patrons and its so nice to have friendly personalized service. That will be gone.

Good Grief, goodgriefcb, if any of this was remotely true don't you think every news outlet in central Florida would have reported this out of Osceola County? Why didn't they? Oh that's right because your assertion is NOT TRUE.

Call any Osceola County library branch and talk to someone that has lived through this change. Get FACTS. And when you do, please don't just leave the conversation, come back and share what you have learned.

[Barefoot]

So far the only county in Florida to privatize their library is Osceola; I've been to a few of their libraries vacationing over the years, and since the private company took over, there are a lot more empty shelves, and they put little signs up that say "This space reserved for books not yet written," which to me is code for "we're not buying any more books for you." My wife and I both go to Belvedere and Pinellas Plaza (at least 1-2 times a week), and the staff at both have always been so great in helping find books and getting us set up on the Kindle, they even know my name and say hello when I come in. 3-4 years ago when we became permanent residents, the system wasn't that great, but it has improved so much; I would hate to see some company come in and ruin it.

I have an iPad and I sometimes download books to read. But I love going to the Belevedere Library and bringing home a bag full of books. I love the Library and hope it doesn't go away.

[LndLocked]

Good Grief, goodgriefcb, if any of this was remotely true don't you think every news outlet in central Florida would have reported this out of Osceola County? Why didn't they? Oh that's right because your assertion is NOT TRUE.

Call any Osceola County library branch and talk to someone that has lived through this change. Get FACTS. And when you do, please don't just leave the conversation, come back and share what you have learned.

I have a better idea ..... why don't you (who seems to have all of these answers) tell everyone. Tell us how the compensation package for the employees with LSSI compares with the previous Osceola Co. package. Tell us how much money Osceola has saved. Tell us how the library operational hours and services compares.

Give us the full and complete details because according to the article in the Daily Sun ..... Sumter Co. officials do not know any of this, yet they are in "contract negotiations for an Oct implementation"

Oh, and while you are at it .... how about coming clean on your position within LSSI.

Tks

[Goodgriefcb]

And public libraries. Libraries are the great equalizer, essential to having an educated and literate population. A public library provides access to information for those who cannot afford to pay for books, for tutors, for advanced learning. A librarian is the community’s bridge to knowledge, creating order out of the sea of information chaos.

[paulandjean]

They will be on their way out in a decade. No longer will there be a need. Notice hardly any school children even use them anymore.Schools also will fade them out. taxpayers will get a break.

[JourneyOfLife]

And public libraries. Libraries are the great equalizer, essential to having an educated and literate population. A public library provides access to information for those who cannot afford to pay for books, for tutors, for advanced learning. A librarian is the community’s bridge to knowledge, creating order out of the sea of information chaos.

The internet is changing a large part of that issue. Some would say access to a computer and internet link is more important.

I believe the public library model will change, perhaps substantially, if it intends to survive.

Part of the problem is the creep in Scope of what libraries provide. That has changed a lot over the last 20 years. It was easy then when no one asked the hard questions or and libraries were not experiencing funding pressure. Why? Because funding was often tied to real estate taxes and housing prices were steadily increasing. Many believe those days are over... at least in most areas. Then there is the ongoing battle for public funds for other community projects.

It would be foolish to not take advantage of innovations. The internet/computer is one such innovation. Outsourcing is another.

Which, btw, this thread seems to be about outsourcing the operation, not privatization.

Privatization would be more like offering citizens some sort of monthly credit and let some private company like Amazon offer the solution as a rental. If unlimited use, some sort of usage based charge back to the county.

Personally, something like privatization might be warranted. The days of "all you can eat (and waste)" are probably ending.

[blueash]

Right now we have land, buildings, books all bought with public (and donated) money and employees who are beholden to me, the taxpayer. It comes with some cost as these employees get salary and fringe benefits and hopefully even a retirement plan so that like many who live here and were lifelong government employees, including military, these library employees can retire and keep this place going. The plan is to give a for profit corporation day to day control of these publically held assets. They claim they can make a profit yet cost the taxpayer less money and improve the service.

If it sounds to good to be true it probably isn't. Hi, I'm a corporation and I can save you money if you give me your stuff. The burden should be on them to show exactly how it works. I would hope that if the country commissioners, all of whom may believe the private sector is better than the government at running things, do go for this plan they have in the contract very strict language about protecting the present employees including future obligations to their benefit package as well as obligations to the public in terms of access, hours, locations, number of new books and other materials purchased yearly, community programs, available free websites, and even satisfaction of the customers. And that should after a defined period of time this plan not meet each promise made to the county and the public, that the plan will be terminated and any damages made whole.

[blueash]

In 2002, yes it was 11 years ago, the Florida house of Representatives prepared a report looking at issues with privatization of public libraries. There were significant concerns whether or not such an act would mean the library would become ineligible for state and federal grants that are given to public libraries. The felt it likely that such a cutoff would not be required depending on the degree of control granted the private company. They looked at the reasons cities or counties had gone with LSSI, the only private game in town then (?and now) and concluded that in each case the locality had a library system with severe problems they were unable to solve locally. The entire report is here:
http://www.leg.state.fl.us/publications/2001/house/reports/tourism/lib_pdfs/exe_sum.pdf

• Outsourcing the management and day-to-day operation of a public library is not
something that is sought for a library that can readily solve its own problems, but
rather for a library with multiple problem issues that cannot be solved in-house
and there is the need for immediate action. The individual local government must
be the entity to determine if its needs are such that outsourcing is required to
provide better library service to its citizens and library patrons.

Interestingly Osceola county when they recently went with LSSI retained as a county employee their senior librarian to watch over LSSI

Here is a 2009 lawsuit instigated by LSSI against the state of Florida for requiring that a library must have a fully accredited librarian on its board to get state funds. That suit was dismissed with prejudice for lack of standing but speaks loudly to the desire to replace higher paid, more qualified, personnel with lower paid or volunteer staff.

http://www.doah.state.fl.us/docdoc/2009/004289/09004289DWH-012810-13052905.pdf

For many articles about LSSI in a library journal I offer this search which includes some stories where cities terminated LSSI contracts.
Search Results (http://www.libraryjournal.com/csp/cms/sites/LJ/SearchTest/index.csp?cx=00807284***0499557307%3Aixrrlyslflg&cof=FORID%3A10&ie=UTF-8&q=lssi&as_qdr=all&sa=Search&siteurl=www.libraryjournal.com%2Farticle%2FCA45625 2.html&ref=www.google.com%2Furl%3Fsa%3Dt%26rct%3Dj%26q%3D riverside%2520county%2520california%2520library%25 20system%2520satisfaction%26source%3Dweb%26cd%3D3% 26ved%3D0CDgQFjAC%26url%3Dhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.l ibraryjournal.com%252Farticle%252FCA456252.html%26 ei%3D_naCUYbXD4XM0AGg0oD4Dg%26usg%3DAFQjCNFfrFzzXP mS2jQyinncxixhr9G9KQ%26bvm%3Dbv.45921128%2Cd.dmQ&ss=761j228989j4)

[zcaveman]

They will be on their way out in a decade. No longer will there be a need. Notice hardly any school children even use them anymore.Schools also will fade them out. taxpayers will get a break.

More than school children need libraries.

Where do you suggest we go to get books to read without paying for them and accumulating a bunch of books we will probably never read again?

Z

[OlThymer48]

They will be on their way out in a decade. No longer will there be a need. Notice hardly any school children even use them anymore.Schools also will fade them out. taxpayers will get a break.

What time do you go to the libraries here? If you go during school hours, of course there are no kids in them. But if you go around 3:30 or later, there are always kids in there, and during school breaks (like summer time). There have been several mornings I have gone by the library and have seen a ton of kids for 'story time'. I don't see a for-profit company continuing to cater to the kids the way I've seen the current iteration of the library system.

Also, people have been proclaming libraries dead for years, and that eBooks would replace the need for them. I asked one of the staff at Belvedere one time, and she told me that during the winter months they average over 1000+ people coming through PER DAY, for that little library (I've not asked at Pinellas, but considering the size, I would think it would be pretty high too). So explain to me, with that many people using the libraries, do they really seem to be "on their way out" ?

Last on my rant, do you honestly think you will get a tax break from cutting the library? I think I had brought this up a few days back when I found Sumter County's budget on their website, but the entire library system only makes up something near 1% of the whole annual budget; even if you you dropped it completely that would amount to almost nothing except a few more dimes in the commissioners pockets. Its my understanding that a private company would still receive money from the county, that's like if we found out our tax money was going to Walmart, how outraged would you be about that? I personally am sick of private companies getting huge payouts from government.

[Taltarzac725]

What time do you go to the libraries here? If you go during school hours, of course there are no kids in them. But if you go around 3:30 or later, there are always kids in there, and during school breaks (like summer time). There have been several mornings I have gone by the library and have seen a ton of kids for 'story time'. I don't see a for-profit company continuing to cater to the kids the way I've seen the current iteration of the library system.

Also, people have been proclaming libraries dead for years, and that eBooks would replace the need for them. I asked one of the staff at Belvedere one time, and she told me that during the winter months they average over 1000+ people coming through PER DAY, for that little library (I've not asked at Pinellas, but considering the size, I would think it would be pretty high too). So explain to me, with that many people using the libraries, do they really seem to be "on their way out" ?

Last on my rant, do you honestly think you will get a tax break from cutting the library? I think I had brought this up a few days back when I found Sumter County's budget on their website, but the entire library system only makes up something near 1% of the whole annual budget; even if you you dropped it completely that would amount to almost nothing except a few more dimes in the commissioners pockets. Its my understanding that a private company would still receive money from the county, that's like if we found out our tax money was going to Walmart, how outraged would you be about that? I personally am sick of private companies getting huge payouts from government.

That's a good point. 1% of the entire Sumter County Library budget for its libraries. Libraries are an integral part of the education system in every community in the United States that has libraries be they school, academic, public, law, medical or any other kind of library that has access for people needing information about something or other.

Whatever happens with this privatization the libraries here in Sumter County there will still be there at Belvedere and Pinellas. They are not going away and from my experience with them they get heavy use.

Since education is so critical for the success of our economy and its competitiveness with other countries we should be looking out for our educators as those assisting it-- like librarians-- as much as possible and that includes making sure they have the pay and benefits they deserve for all their commitment and hard work.

[Barefoot]

Notice hardly any school children even use them anymore.

Not true!! The Belevedere Library has a plethora of kids every afternoon, using the computers, reading books, doing homework and studying.

[carole131]

:BigApplause:At Tuesday night's Sumter Co Board of County Commissioners meeting, talk of privatizing the local public library system has been approved for review. The Board will consider and vote on it soon. Essentially, the only company in the US (LSSI, Library Systems and Services out of Maryland) that does privatized public library systems would "take over" the operations of the Sumter Co library system. Library staff would be LSSI employees, and LSSI would do the operations. Does anyone think this is a good idea? Would you like a national company that has as its goal of making a profit to decide how many books and what books go into your local library? They would determine fees, fines, amount of services (and remember, they want to make a profit), who can get a library card (if you can't prove local residency, they may decide that you don't get a card!), what books are in what libraries and how many, etc. They can decide that the Belvedere library gets Dr. Spock's baby book, and the Lake Panasoffkee library gets large print books. Would a company that wants to make a profit would work with the local Sumter Co Friends of the Library? Why would we even have a Friends of the Library anymore? Wouldn't that be like having a bake sale for Exxon? If you have an opinion on this, please let your County Commissioner know in the next two weeks. The next Board meeting is in Bushnell, not locally in The Villages, on May 14th – if you have any concerns, it is encouraged that you to show up at this meeting or contact the Board in advance.

Everyone needs to do our homework on this subject immediately. Do show up at the meeting at 5 p.m.on May 14 in Bushnell (910 Main St.), & at the meeting at Colony Cottage at 5 p.m. on June 25, at the Commissioners' meeting.

[JourneyOfLife]

What time do you go to the libraries here? If you go during school hours, of course there are no kids in them. But if you go around 3:30 or later, there are always kids in there, and during school breaks (like summer time). There have been several mornings I have gone by the library and have seen a ton of kids for 'story time'. I don't see a for-profit company continuing to cater to the kids the way I've seen the current iteration of the library system.

Also, people have been proclaming libraries dead for years, and that eBooks would replace the need for them. I asked one of the staff at Belvedere one time, and she told me that during the winter months they average over 1000+ people coming through PER DAY, for that little library (I've not asked at Pinellas, but considering the size, I would think it would be pretty high too). So explain to me, with that many people using the libraries, do they really seem to be "on their way out" ?

Last on my rant, do you honestly think you will get a tax break from cutting the library? I think I had brought this up a few days back when I found Sumter County's budget on their website, but the entire library system only makes up something near 1% of the whole annual budget; even if you you dropped it completely that would amount to almost nothing except a few more dimes in the commissioners pockets. Its my understanding that a private company would still receive money from the county, that's like if we found out our tax money was going to Walmart, how outraged would you be about that? I personally am sick of private companies getting huge payouts from government.

Yes and 1% x 100 budgets is all of it.

Biases and suspicions aside, it is in everyone's interest to figure out how to provide the same or similar services for less cost!

That process seems to be part of a larger goal of containing costs of the budget. Would you rather they cut elsewhere or increase taxes?

[jblum315]

I don't agree that libraries are becoming obsolete. For one thing, they provide internet access for many people who would not have it otherwise.And most libraries provide an important community gathering place.
In the New York town I came from, the library had its own budget that was voted on separately from the town budget.People (those who did not use the library) always complained, but the budget always passed.

[TrudyM]

Libraries are fast becoming obsolete. So if a private company is willing to supply life support why is that a bad thing?

Library systems that offer ebooks and downloadable audio books are very active but do not require the large brick and mortar locations to be of good service to their customers. I have switched to kindle ebook borrowing from my library I don't borrow real books anymore except for craft and art books.

Our local library system (a county system) has increased the % of it's budget that goes to books you can borrow with your kindle or nook or laptop and audios that you can download to your audio device as they make their decisions based on check out stats. A large % is now used for children's books and non fiction do it your self type books, instead of best sellers as in our area most use electronic readers. I wonder if these private libraries use check out records to determine purchases and if so is it done by location or as a whole so you would as someone said have access to what they read in California.

[Quixote]

I have mixed feelings. On one hand we say there is too much government but on the other hand we want them to run the library. The US postal system looses billions a year but private enterprise FedEx and UPS offer similar services and make a profit.

Will FedEx or UPS deliver a letter from here in Florida to a small, isolated village in the far reaches of Alaska for 46 cents, where the only access is by bush pilot or snow machine? There IS such a thing as a "public service," remember? Or have we forgotten and instead focus solely on the "bottom line"?

[Quixote]

All right. Then let those who use the service pay for it, if it is so esssential. Why should I have to pay for it (through tax) if I don't choose to use it?

I have heard the same point of view from those who say something to the effect of "My children have been through the schools, so why do I have to continue paying school tax?" as though there is no overall community value to education!

I believe it is the U.S. Constitution which guarantees a "free public education" (I could be wrong; it's been a very long time since I studied civics, which is no longer taught...). Of course it's not "free"; we do indeed pay for it through taxes. But why does it suit those who otherwise stand behind a "strict interpretation" to "loosen" it when it serves them?

[Quixote]

I take your point. Sometimes the difference between "political" and "philosophical" is pretty blurred. I am, as you may guess by my posts, a small government libertarian.

I am chuckling with a reminiscence from many years (in fact, decades) ago. A couple (acquaintances who were part of a travel group) visited us, asking first if their son and daughter-in-law could join them, as they were staying with their children. The latter also described themselves in exactly the same words: "small government libertarians." However, he WAS a newly hired assistant librarian in a public library and waxed eloquent about the services the library provided to the community. Okay, I thought to myself; something doesn't sit right here....

His wife was pregnant, and they frankly admitted that this was unplanned and that they suddenly found themselves in a quandary for housing. But they were able to buy a starter house a short time before in the area where he worked. I asked how he managed to qualify for a mortgage, having no credit. His response? "Oh, we got an FHA loan...."

Need I say more?

[OlThymer48]

Yes and 1% x 100 budgets is all of it.

Biases and suspicions aside, it is in everyone's interest to figure out how to provide the same or similar services for less cost!

That process seems to be part of a larger goal of containing costs of the budget. Would you rather they cut elsewhere or increase taxes?

I don't want to sound insulting, but your '1% x 100 budgets' is literally the most ridiculous argument I have ever heard. By the same logic, I could say that a $10 donation to the library is equal to their entire budget because '0.00000555... x 18 million budgets is all of it'. Its just asinine, arbitrary, and serves no purpose in discussion.

From what I have heard and read about privately owned libraries, they do NOT provide the same/similar services for less. Privatization works for other parts of government, those can be run like a business; a library should not be run like a business. I've worked for several companies over the last 65 years, and I can confidently say that businesses do not act for the greater good of society, businesses act only for profit. And there is nothing wrong with a business earning a profit, that's what they exist to do, but that is not what libraries exist to do! And speaking of profit, I'm outraged that Sumter County's commissioners would consider giving OUR (at least those of us in Sumter County) tax dollars to a company based out of Maryland. If I wanted that, I would just move up to Maryland. I'm more worried about how deep the County Commissioners are already in this company's pocket? Why don't we privatize the Commission, at least then we will all be shareholders!

[rwcw]

The higher paid current employees would most likely not be hired by the private company.
The contributions to the Florida Retirement Fund will stop and a 401-k type plan will most likely replace it. Big savings.
Accident and health coverage that the state and county employees recieve will most likely be either eliminated or replaced with something with less coverage or eligibility for coverage will be restricted from what it is presently.
We can probably look for fewer new books and periodicals being purchased each month.
We can expect higher fees, fines and curtailed services.
If we want to to reduce the $3,100,000 current budget, I think we should look to the County Commissioners to guide the Library Board of Governors in the steps they believe should be taken. Some of the necessary steps would not be politically popular and some of us suspect this is why they're willing to allow a private firm to do it for them. At an estimated 10% projected profit, the company will look to pocket about $300,000 a year of our money to do what the Commissioners and the Board should be able to accomplish
if, in fact it's necessary.

[JourneyOfLife]

I don't want to sound insulting, but your '1% x 100 budgets' is literally the most ridiculous argument I have ever heard. By the same logic, I could say that a $10 donation to the library is equal to their entire budget because '0.00000555... x 18 million budgets is all of it'. Its just asinine, arbitrary, and serves no purpose in discussion.

From what I have heard and read about privately owned libraries, they do NOT provide the same/similar services for less. Privatization works for other parts of government, those can be run like a business; a library should not be run like a business. I've worked for several companies over the last 65 years, and I can confidently say that businesses do not act for the greater good of society, businesses act only for profit. And there is nothing wrong with a business earning a profit, that's what they exist to do, but that is not what libraries exist to do! And speaking of profit, I'm outraged that Sumter County's commissioners would consider giving OUR (at least those of us in Sumter County) tax dollars to a company based out of Maryland. If I wanted that, I would just move up to Maryland. I'm more worried about how deep the County Commissioners are already in this company's pocket? Why don't we privatize the Commission, at least then we will all be shareholders!

It wasn't are argument. Just pointing out that 1% can be a large figure in terms of dollars in a Fiscal Budget.

You are correct, there are many many budgets. I will bet the library budget is not the largest, but it is probably not trivial.

It is not free, the expense of running the operation needs to be funded.

I noticed that you did not bother to answer the question. You just blathered on about your opinion.

[Golf View]

If the letter writer in today's Daily Sun is correct that $3,100,000 is budgeted for the library system, wouldnt that mean that if the system was privatized the taxpayers would save the $3,100,000? Just askin'

[Bogie Shooter]

As The Villages grew so did the revenue that Sumter County collected. With that additional revenue, new libraries were built and staffed. But now the county wants to get out of the library business. Will there not be additional revenue coming in with the additional 10,000 homes yet to be built? Why has the proposal to privatize the library being done in such haste? I agree with the letter writer in the Daily Sun, this is beginning to smell like a middle of the night deal. Why not vet the issue in the public with all the pros and cons.

[Harry Gilbert]

If the letter writer in today's Daily Sun is correct that $3,100,000 is budgeted for the library system, wouldnt that mean that if the system was privatized the taxpayers would save the $3,100,000? Just askin'


No,

As an example:

The County budgets 3.1 mil for the Library system and a private Co comes in and says they can do the same job for say 2.7 mil. That would save taxpayers .4 mil not the entire 3.1

[Taltarzac725]

I do not believe you can put a money value on what functions a library does in a single community. A library provides avenues of information for potential job seekers especially with respect to information about potential employers, schools and universities one might attend, tax break information, etc. It also increases literacy of those kids who use libraries after school and during summer vacations. Many library systems have extensive DVD, CD, audiobook, e-Book, and other collections which save many citizens the cost of buying these items. Many libraries have programs for kids offering story tellers, sleep overs in libraries for teens, teen activities like trivia hunts, etc.

I just do not think libraries should be privatized. They serve a critical role in many communities.

I am biased as I have a MA in Librarianship and Information Management from the University of Denver (Class of Spring 1984) and have worked or volunteered in a number of different libraries including public libraries in MN, FL, and CO; a law library in MN; and an academic library in Colorado. I have used libraries heavily in Nevada, Arizona, California, Minnesota, Illinois, Florida, and Colorado since I was 17 or so.

I have also been involved heavily in improving the situation of survivors/victims of crimes through better access for practical information since 1992 and received 24 nominations to Marquis Who's Who volumes from 1992 or so through 2002. I tried to have some kind of affect on the holdings of every library in the US going through various associations. I do not believe a victim/survivor of crime should be alone on the Internet looking for this kind of information and libraries should have links to support groups that help people in this situation.

I used the identifiers 224 and 613 in telling my story since mid 1993 to many using whatever means at my disposal as my interest in helping survivors/victims of crimes is rooted in my own experiences with a conspiracy involving two murders one of which occurred near the University of Nevada, Reno campus on my birthday of 2-24 in 1976. This was the murder of my then high school English teacher's daughter Michelle Mitchell on 2-24. It also involves my experiences at 3 law school libraries starting at Brigham Young in 1982, through the University of Denver in 1983-1984 and the University of Minnesota from 1986 through late 1991.

[HMLRHT1]

the county would then use the saved money else where. Didn't read of any money coming back to the tax payer.

[Golf View]

No,

As an example:

The County budgets 3.1 mil for the Library system and a private Co comes in and says they can do the same job for say 2.7 mil. That would save taxpayers .4 mil not the entire 3.1

Where did the 2.7 mil. figure come from? Even if you are right, the savings would be $400,000, that's not pocket change.

[Goodgriefcb]

Thank you Taltarzac725. You have said exactly what I try to explain to people. The truly great work library employees do each day, all day is the stuff that is not measurable. We do more that just lend stuff out and shush people. Yet we rarely toot our horns. I have helped countless people receive help when their homes were underwater from Hurricane Debby when every govt agency turned them away. I've consoled people, encouraged people, taught people how to use the computer so they can look for jobs, apply for aid, register for college. I've convinced a stubborn soul to seek medical help when they came in with a list of symptoms that were frighteningly serious. If I was stumped on how to help someone, I have never just shrugged my shoulders and told them "I don't know". I sought advice from my colleagues and worked harder until I found the answer. Do you know how many times I've had that happen to me by some employee in a store? At least 100. I can understand if you work part time for minimum wage that there might not be much motivation to go above and beyond. But that's what library workers do daily--go above and beyond. The problem is, the county officials don't see that nor do they understand that. LSSI just comes in and tells them a fantasy that speaks only what they understand. Money. To hell with hard working dedicated employees who are already mostly underpaid. Eventually it trickles down to library users because the new less skilled, possibly less dedicated employees will simply shrug and say I don't know. Kinda reminds way back when hospitals laid off RNs and replaced them with less experienced people. If I remember correctly, the poop hit the fan and hospitals reversed back into hiring RNs again.

[jflynn1]

This was an article form **************.comWeek after LSSI deal, temporary library jobs posted. .
A week and a day after the Sumter County Commission voted in favor of a nearly $2 million deal to outsource county library services to a Maryland company, the County’s Library Services Department posted two positions for temporary library assistants.

In a June 25 standing-room only meeting at Colony Cottage Recreation Center, commissioners voted to contract with Library Systems & Services LLC to take over operations of the county-run facility.

A large crowd, the vast majority opposed to library privatization, for nearly two hours that evening aired their strong opinions on the proposed move.

Many were concerned that dedicated library employees would be the first causality of the deal.

The temporary jobs, posted on the eve of the Independence Day holiday, pay $10.21-$16.24 per hour and offer no benefits. The closing date for applicants is 5 p.m. July 10.

The qualifications listed are, “Graduation from an accredited high school or possession of an acceptable equivalency diploma. One (1) year related experience or training. Valid Florida Driver’s License and a driving record acceptable to insurance provider.”

I guess this answers alot of the questions raised. The company awarded the outsourcing/ privatizing contarct operates with a 21 % profit margin, this would indicate based on a $2,000,000 contract $420,000 of Sumter county taxpayers dollars are being sent out of the county and out of the state. Confrming Greed is realy Good.

[graciegirl]

This was an article form **************.comWeek after LSSI deal, temporary library jobs posted. .
A week and a day after the Sumter County Commission voted in favor of a nearly $2 million deal to outsource county library services to a Maryland company, the County’s Library Services Department posted two positions for temporary library assistants.

In a June 25 standing-room only meeting at Colony Cottage Recreation Center, commissioners voted to contract with Library Systems & Services LLC to take over operations of the county-run facility.

A large crowd, the vast majority opposed to library privatization, for nearly two hours that evening aired their strong opinions on the proposed move.

Many were concerned that dedicated library employees would be the first causality of the deal.

The temporary jobs, posted on the eve of the Independence Day holiday, pay $10.21-$16.24 per hour and offer no benefits. The closing date for applicants is 5 p.m. July 10.

The qualifications listed are, “Graduation from an accredited high school or possession of an acceptable equivalency diploma. One (1) year related experience or training. Valid Florida Driver’s License and a driving record acceptable to insurance provider.”

I guess this answers alot of the questions raised. The company awarded the outsourcing/ privatizing contarct operates with a 21 % profit margin, this would indicate based on a $2,000,000 contract $420,000 of Sumter county taxpayers dollars are being sent out of the county and out of the state. Confrming Greed is realy Good.


I missed that point somehow.