[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]

Originally Posted by 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....

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]

Originally Posted by 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.

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]

Originally Posted by janmcn

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]

Originally Posted by 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.

This writer makes a very good case why libraries are essential. Libraries are an essential service, too - CSMonitor.com 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]

Originally Posted by Taltarzac725

This writer makes a very good case why libraries are essential. Libraries are an essential service, too - CSMonitor.com 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]

Originally Posted by Number 6

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

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]

Originally Posted by mulligan

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]

Originally Posted by Number 6

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.