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Keeping Public Libraries Public

Keeping Public Libraries Public. Time to Step Up. Disclaimer. This is not about staff within the private sector or the programs and services they provide. This is about Transparency Public perception Well informed and strong advocates. My Background.

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Keeping Public Libraries Public

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  1. Keeping Public Libraries Public Time to Step Up

  2. Disclaimer • This is not about staff within the private sector or the programs and services they provide. • This is about • Transparency • Public perception • Well informed and strong advocates

  3. My Background • First Library Director in a city that pulled out of Riverside County • Four years as president of California City Librarian Interest Group • Presented at 2011 ALA with SEIU and City of Santa Clarita residents - Privatization of Libraries • Consultant for budget analysis • Strategic Planner

  4. Overview • Defining Outsourcing and Privatization • Why Go Private? • History • Advocacy • Future

  5. Defining Outsourcing vs. Privatization • Outsourcing • Transferring certain work-related tasks involving recurring internal activities that are not core to the mission of the library. (vendor, contractor, independent workers) • Privatization • Shifting of library service from the public to the private sector through transference of library management and or assets from a government agency to a commercial company.

  6. Outsourcing • Contract is narrow • Library defines scope of work • Determines what the service is • Specific task

  7. Privatization • Encompasses all library services and programs • Determines how services will be delivered • Determines which services and programs will be offered • Defines ownership of records, materials, etc.

  8. Why go private? • Withdraw from County • Staffing expenses • Budget reductions/cuts • Eliminate current library administration • Management does not want to be in the public library business

  9. History of Privately Managed Libraries • 1997- Riverside County • Murrieta pulled out of County • Wanted local control of library services • 2006- Shasta County • 2007- Moorpark • 2007- Jackson County (OR) • Timber industry impacted funds • 2010- Camarillo • 2011- Santa Clarita • Council still approved contract with a for-profit company despite citizen opposition

  10. History of Professional Organizations’ Positions on Privatization • Oregon Library Association • Position papers every year • ALA • Keeping Public Libraries Public • Privatizing Libraries • Florida Library Association • Believes it is not in the best interest of the residents of Florida…

  11. History of Legislation • Unions • SEI 721 Privatization Beast • California Legislation • AB 438 (Willams) • Florida • Although, December 2011 Osceola went with a private for-profit company

  12. Time to Step Up • What have you done recently that placed your library on the front page of a local paper? • When was the last time you presented to your governing body? • When was the last time you spoke to a local club or organization sharing a new program or service? • Do you spend the time to create communication tools for your governing body?

  13. Tools for advocacy- Local • Colleagues • Consortium • Coffee in the morning • Other ideas?

  14. Tools for advocacy- Local • Stakeholders • Library Board • Advocacy binders • Friends of the Library • Foundation

  15. Tools for advocacy- Local • Within your library • Staff • Television • Signage • Handouts

  16. Tools for Advocacy- Within organization • Demonstrate value within your governing body • Teach computer classes to city/county staff • Special talents or skills? • Sit at the table • Library is the back-up EOC

  17. Tools for Advocacy- Within organization • Step up and participate • Help resolve issues as a partner • Get to know your council/board • First names • Be the poster child

  18. Tools for Advocacy- Regional • Library and State Legislative committees • OLA • Know your legislator

  19. Tools for Advocacy- Regional • Join groups that promote literacy and libraries • League of Cities • Booth • Governance at a Glance

  20. Tools for Advocacy- Social Media • Library friendly blogs • Facebook • Twitter • YouTube • Set up a website

  21. Tools for Advocacy- Social Media • Use with caution • Editorials in the newspapers • Comment online to articles

  22. Tools for Advocacy- Publications • Privatizing Libraries • ALA • Keeping Public Libraries Public • ALA • References in articles • Professional journals • Library Journal • American Libraries

  23. Tools- Miscellaneous • Constantly consider ‘how do I add value’ • Newspaper articles • How you *twist* your figures

  24. Tools- Miscellaneous • Have a table at local events • Participate in your local parades • Attend council meetings • Proclamations

  25. Getting technical • More libraries—5,400—offer technology training classes than there are computer training businesses in the U.S. Every day, 14,700 people attend free library computer classes—a retail value of $2.2 million. That’s $629 million worth of computer classes annually (based on 286 business days per year). • http://www.oclc.org/reports/stackup/

  26. Getting technical

  27. Other News • FEMA- classified libraries as essential services. • Workforce in Investments Through Local Libraries Act • http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/112/hr1616

  28. Future • Pretty much up to us • Budget • Join/Like on social media venues • Don’t make it easy • Stay informed

  29. And • 10-second byte • Elevator speech

  30. Thank you

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