[Publib] AP story on library outsourcing

[Diedre Conkling]

This article is not completely correct.  The main library in Medford and some of the larger branches are expected to be opened for 24 hours a week.  Other branches vary from 16 to 8 hours per week.  This is a major decrease in hours and, in my opinion, library service.

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http://www.mailtribune.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070927/NEWS/709270324

Operating hours will vary by city

Although the exact number of operating hours for each branch is still being worked out, the libraries in Medford, Central Point, Eagle Point and Rogue River could be open for 24 hours a week under the contract. Branches in Gold Hill, Jacksonville, Phoenix, Shady Cove, Talent and White City would be open 16 hours a week. Outlying branches in Applegate, Butte Falls, Prospect and Ruch would be open eight hours. Ashland will be open 40 hours a week after voters in that city approved a September levy to augment hours. 

Communities can decide to augment hours of operation at their branch. Under the contract, LSSI will increase hours at a given branch in four-hour increments. 

The contract with LSSI encourages volunteers, but won't use volunteers to supplant paid staff.

Summer reading programs and mobile outreach to shut-ins will be part of the service offered by LSSI.

LSSI officials say they want to begin programs for children and young adults as quickly as possible.


--
Diedre Conkling
     
  Lincoln County Library District
  P.O. Box 2027, Newport, OR  97365
  Phone & Fax:  541-265-3066
  http://lcld.library-blogs.net/
  Work:  diedre at beachbooks.org
  Home:  diedrec at charter.net
   

---- Joe Schallan <jbsphx at cox.net> wrote: 

=============
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
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