Privatizing Sumter County Library System
 

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.

Is it privatization or an outsourcing contract to run operations?

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

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.

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

Sumter County Commissioners site.
Who they are and contact information.
Sumter County, FL - Official Website - About the Commissioners

Pensions, salary, etc.
 

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....

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.

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

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.

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 :

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!

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.