This is a message from CTLS-L. Selecting "Reply" will send a message to the originator. Selecting "Reply to All" will send a message to the entire list. ---------------------------------------------------------
-----Original Message----- From: Jamison, Collette Sent: Friday, December 01, 2006 7:49 AM To: O'Leary, Dan; Langenkamp, Stephanie Subject: FW: Bedford: residents oppose private operation of library Collette Jamison Director of Administrative Services City of San Marcos, TX [EMAIL PROTECTED] 512.393.8104 -----Original Message----- From: Lewis F. McLain, Jr. [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Friday, December 01, 2006 6:39 AM To: Jamison, Collette Subject: Bedford: residents oppose private operation of library Posted on Fri, Dec. 01, 2006 Residents oppose private operation of library By JESSICA DeLEÓN STAR-TELEGRAM STAFF WRITER BEDFORD - More than 50 residents braved Thursday's arctic blast to hear about the possibility of turning over the operations of the library to a private company. Most of the audience members appeared to want the city to remain in control of the library so that the local touch continues. Bedford resident Mark Gimenez, author of The New York Times bestselling book The Color of Law, said the library provides programs -- such as tutoring, story time for children and other services -- that make it the heart of the community. "If our library dies, this community dies. Bedford will be a dead community," he said as many in the audience applauded. His comments were made to City Council and Library Board members at the public hearing in the chilly Boys Ranch Activity Center gym. Supporters of outsourcing say the move could increase hours and the level of service, while keeping costs down. The city would still own the building and collection and would maintain the right to manage or establish library policies. Thursday's session included a presentation by Library Systems and Service of Germantown, Md., which manages dozens of libraries around the country, including libraries in Lancaster and Red Oak. LSSI officials said they can provide resources to Bedford that smaller libraries wouldn't have, such as computerized systems and the ability to buy books in bulk. "Based on our experience, we feel we may be able to provide the same level of services," LSSI Vice President Bob Windrow said. Resident Linda Dill said she has been affected by outsourcing in her own job, and she would hate to see that happen to Bedford library employees. But resident Marion Edwards said she could see the benefits, saying that the library's collection is too old. The Library Board is expected to discuss the issue at its meeting later this month to make a recommendation to the City Council. City Councilman Charles Orean, who brought up the issue, said outsourcing could save money for the city, which has faced budget difficulties for the past few years. The council has considered other proposals this year that could bring in more money for the city, such as installing cameras at traffic lights and hiring a firm to bill insurance companies for some emergency services. The American Library Association said in a 2001 statement that it opposes having private companies run public libraries because libraries should be directly accountable to the public. The Bedford library has 25 employees, with about 16 budgeted as full-time, and about a $1 million budget for fiscal 2006-07.
