[zcaveman]

Originally Posted by 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.

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]

Originally Posted by 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.

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]

Originally Posted by OlThymer48

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]

Originally Posted by paulandjean

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]

Originally Posted by 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.

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]

Originally Posted by OlThymer48

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]

Originally Posted by Harry Gilbert

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]

Originally Posted by 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.

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]

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?

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]

Originally Posted by Number 6

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]

Originally Posted by JourneyOfLife

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]

Originally Posted by OlThymer48

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'