[Publib] AP story on library outsourcing

[Joe Schallan]

An Associated Press story on library outsourcing -- with
the focus on LSSI and Jackson County, Oregon -- was one of
the lead items in tonight's Yahoo news summary:

http://tinyurl.com/2hkcwe

In other words, the story has hit the national media, not
just LJ and American Libraries.

The main expense in operating a public library isn't the
furniture or books -- it is us, the library staff.  I believe
we typically account for around 80 percent of that
expense. (Perhaps some of the budgeting wonks on
the list can confirm/correct.)

If a company comes to your beleagured library, and tells
you it can re-open it, albeit with having the doors open
fewer hours, and do it for far less money than you spent
previously, then you as a public official may be highly
interested in the proposal.

The company will not only save you money but make a
profit for itself.  How?  But slashing the number of
staff and by deeply cutting the benefits of those who
remain, who are now company, not public, employees.
Your govenment-employee pension is gone, poof!

In short, those in charge of local government spending
can realize a much lower operating cost by directing
attention to the largest component of expenditure -- staff.

I have previously reported to Publib on a growing taxpayer
rebellion against government employees and their benefits,
which now are typically much, much better than Americans
working in the private sector receive.

Would you rather be on your city's/county's benefit plan
or on Wal-Mart's?

One thing I feel confident in predicting is that as the
American economic decline continues and resistance to
taxes grows, the budgets of local governments will
grow tighter and tighter.

In such an environment, how do you keep the public
library open?

Are we seeing the handwriting on the wall?


--Joe Schallan
    Phoenix