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The Friends of the Libraries in Western Nevada County, the Truckee Friends of the Library, and many concerned citizens and organizations feel very strongly that the effort to privatize the operation of the Nevada County Library System is moving with unseemly haste.
We have a concern that community input is being deliberately avoided. We urge the Board of Supervisors to pass a resolution that no decision be made, nor contract awarded until other viable alternatives are seriously considered.
We urge concerned citizens contact their Supervisor and let them know their concerns. Supervisor contact info is provided below.
There are several issues of concern. We all agree that the library is faced with a fiscal problem as a result of the current recession. The Nevada County Board of Supervisors has authorized a process that is moving too fast toward replacing our highly service oriented, well-managed county library system with one that is managed by an out of county for-profit company. In other words, they have approved throwing out the baby with the bathwater.
The county CEO has scheduled selection of that company by next month to begin for-profit operation of a vital public resource by February. Other less destructive solutions are not being considered. There is no immediate financial urgency that justifies such a rushed timetable. There is every reason to slow down and consider these options, as well as investigate the pros and cons of privatization more thoroughly.
The situation is urgent but there is time to make the right decision. Nevertheless, outsourcing the library was presented to the Board of Supervisor as the only viable option, approved the same day, and put on a fast-track schedule.
The library can and should tighten its belt, as the county librarian has recommended. The librarian can make temporary cuts to keep expenses in line with current revenue without destroying a system run by public employees and answerable directly to the public. Other institutions and individuals are cutting back these days, and so should we.
Moreover, the record of at least one of the private vendors indicate that they would have to make similar sacrifices, but perhaps of a less than temporary nature, and with history in other counties of additional expenses charged to counties as time goes on.
There are better alternative solutions than privatization to help fund library operations. Besides cutting costs, we can get creative with fundraising, temporary help from Friends of the Library to keep one or more facilities open, and a survey to determine the viability of a miniscule increase in sales tax (augmenting the one-eighth of a cent per sales tax dollar that currently funds most of the system operations).
Community input is needed before the public library becomes privately managed and focused on making a profit for out of county investors rather than providing a service for citizens.
The unprecedented, fast-track schedule set by the county to privatize precludes community input on such a radical solution. Two days after the privatization option was presented and approved, RFPs (Requests For Proposals) were published and mailed — with tentative bids required by Nov. 19; a contract award promised in December; and with private company management to begin in February.
There are potential losses to the county when contracting with a for-profit management company based out of county. We are breaking our agreement with tax paying citizens by shipping tax dollars out of our county.
Also, if these contractors make the kind of cuts which enable them to operate within slim existing budgets, services and service quality will be diminished and experienced, educated library personnel will have to look elsewhere to make a living.
Get involved now. Contact your supervisor. Request postponement of the current privatization process and demand an opportunity for a community discussion and consideration of other options.
For more info visit Friends of the Nevada County Libraries on Facebook or www.truckeefol.org. To contact your local Supervisor call (530) 265-1480, toll free 888-785-1480 or e-mail: bdofsupervisors@co.nevada.ca.us.
From the board of directors of the Nevada County Friends of the Libraries.
We have a concern that community input is being deliberately avoided. We urge the Board of Supervisors to pass a resolution that no decision be made, nor contract awarded until other viable alternatives are seriously considered.
We urge concerned citizens contact their Supervisor and let them know their concerns. Supervisor contact info is provided below.
There are several issues of concern. We all agree that the library is faced with a fiscal problem as a result of the current recession. The Nevada County Board of Supervisors has authorized a process that is moving too fast toward replacing our highly service oriented, well-managed county library system with one that is managed by an out of county for-profit company. In other words, they have approved throwing out the baby with the bathwater.
The county CEO has scheduled selection of that company by next month to begin for-profit operation of a vital public resource by February. Other less destructive solutions are not being considered. There is no immediate financial urgency that justifies such a rushed timetable. There is every reason to slow down and consider these options, as well as investigate the pros and cons of privatization more thoroughly.
The situation is urgent but there is time to make the right decision. Nevertheless, outsourcing the library was presented to the Board of Supervisor as the only viable option, approved the same day, and put on a fast-track schedule.
The library can and should tighten its belt, as the county librarian has recommended. The librarian can make temporary cuts to keep expenses in line with current revenue without destroying a system run by public employees and answerable directly to the public. Other institutions and individuals are cutting back these days, and so should we.
Moreover, the record of at least one of the private vendors indicate that they would have to make similar sacrifices, but perhaps of a less than temporary nature, and with history in other counties of additional expenses charged to counties as time goes on.
There are better alternative solutions than privatization to help fund library operations. Besides cutting costs, we can get creative with fundraising, temporary help from Friends of the Library to keep one or more facilities open, and a survey to determine the viability of a miniscule increase in sales tax (augmenting the one-eighth of a cent per sales tax dollar that currently funds most of the system operations).
Community input is needed before the public library becomes privately managed and focused on making a profit for out of county investors rather than providing a service for citizens.
The unprecedented, fast-track schedule set by the county to privatize precludes community input on such a radical solution. Two days after the privatization option was presented and approved, RFPs (Requests For Proposals) were published and mailed — with tentative bids required by Nov. 19; a contract award promised in December; and with private company management to begin in February.
There are potential losses to the county when contracting with a for-profit management company based out of county. We are breaking our agreement with tax paying citizens by shipping tax dollars out of our county.
Also, if these contractors make the kind of cuts which enable them to operate within slim existing budgets, services and service quality will be diminished and experienced, educated library personnel will have to look elsewhere to make a living.
Get involved now. Contact your supervisor. Request postponement of the current privatization process and demand an opportunity for a community discussion and consideration of other options.
For more info visit Friends of the Nevada County Libraries on Facebook or www.truckeefol.org. To contact your local Supervisor call (530) 265-1480, toll free 888-785-1480 or e-mail: bdofsupervisors@co.nevada.ca.us.
From the board of directors of the Nevada County Friends of the Libraries.
