[Publib] AP story on library outsourcing

[Hammock, Shannon]

Greetings, 

Rachel says that the choice (or at least it seems) is between providing
no library services and limited services with an LSSI contract. Why the
false dichotomy? If LSSI can keep the libraries open at reduced hours
for a certain amount of money, why can't the current system do it just
as well? Perhaps LSSI can keep them open for a few more hours (or keep a
few more branches open) than the current system could with the new
budget amounts because of however they might do business, but it doesn't
mean the choice is only between them and no libraries at all. Some
current staff might have to be laid off, hours reduced, etc, but the
libraries could be still be kept open without signing a contract with
LSSI. I think we might buying into a LSSI sale pitch if we tell
ourselves that the choice is "only" between having LSSI run the
libraries and having no libraries at all. 

Shannon

 

 

________________________________

From: publib-bounces at webjunction.org
[mailto:publib-bounces at webjunction.org] On Behalf Of Rachel Davis
Sent: Friday, October 05, 2007 12:36 PM
To: Adelaide Rowe
Cc: Joe Schallan; Publib Publib Discussion
Subject: Re: [Publib] AP story on library outsourcing

 

"Adelaide Rowe" <Adelaide.Rowe at egvpl.org> writes:
One quick thought - WHO is in charge of the libraries? I am thinking of
Blackwater and their fundamentalist Christian owner. If all books were
ordered centrally, I think we would lose the local control. The thought
of James Dobson and Pat Robertson choosing the books gives me the
willies

For a profession that values fairness, accurate information, and a
commitment to representing all sides of an issue, we certainly jump to a
lot of conclusions based on a little bit of information and a few
hot-button concepts.

For this particular community in Oregon, it seems to be a choice between
no library service at all and the limited library service that is being
provided as a result of the contract with LSSI.  Surely, there is more
complexity to the situation than "corporation = evil."  And as
corporations go, LSSI doesn't seem to be among the worst that are out
there: http://www.lssi.com/index.html
<http://www.lssi.com/index.html> 
Rachel

Rachel Q. Davis
Children's Librarian
Thomas Memorial Library
6 Scott Dyer Road
Cape Elizabeth, ME  04107
207-799-1720

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