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New California Legislation Protects Public Libraries from Privatization Beast

Cindy-Singer_LACounty_80x80.jpg“Libraries are considered essential services and AB 438 will ensure that a community’s education and access to information will not be diminished in order to make a profit for a private company.” Cindy Singer, Community Library Manager

Elected officials and lobbyists in support of privatization tried to kill the bill but thousands of California residents made calls in support of AB 438 and it passed 41 to 28.

Experiences with private library service providers like LSSI have resulted in diminished library services and increased costs to taxpayers. Taxpayers will greatly benefit when this bill becomes a law.

Next Steps:
The bill will go to the California Senate subcommittee-Governance and Finance for approval and if passed it will go to the senate for a floor vote within the next few weeks. This bill could be used as a model across the country and slow the spread of library privatization. 

Libraries serve as a “public good,” which are staffed effectively by committed public service employees. In January, the federal government deemed libraries as essential services. This bill would place the burden of altering one of the most essential public services on to the elected officials that are advocating for their privatization.

To learn more about the campaign to protect libraries from the privatization beast, visit www.privatizationbeast.org.