By Cindy Singer
Los Angeles County Librarian and SEIU 721 Executive Board Member
The public library is an American institution – but right now, it’s under threat of being transformed from a public service to a for-profit venture. SEIU is partnering with community residents, local organizations and librarians to save public libraries from widespread privatization efforts.
To help coordinate local efforts, SEIU has launched the PrivatizationBeast.org campaign to support local community efforts to preserve quality public library services. The first focus will be to support efforts to keep the public library services public at the Santa Clarita library system here in Southern California.
Currently, Library Systems and Services (LSSI) is the only private company that offers turnkey private library management in the United States and is often the only company in line to take over a local library system. LSSI has taken over libraries in Oregon, Florida, Tennessee, Texas, Kansas and California and has reduced services and staff while relying on more volunteers to make a profit.
As the sole bidder, there is no market and no competition – so there is no “free market” mechanism to improve performance or reduce costs. Privatization threatens America’s public libraries and library services.
As a public librarian, I believe that library services should be available to everyone and this can best be done through a strong public library system.
The residents of Santa Clarita did not have a choice or a voice in their City Council’s decision to privatize their libraries and how their tax dollars are spent. I will be supporting them as they continue to hold their elected officials accountable for their decision.
You can show your support too by signing up at PrivatizationBeast.org