A Texas Public Library Terminates Contract With LSSI - Infodocket - 01/09/12

So it is true then!

http://www.infodocket.com/2012/09/01/a-texas-public-library-terminates-contract-with-lssi/

"LSSI Vice President Bob Windrow released a short statement Thursday saying the company would work with the city for a smooth transition of services."

“"Susan Hauer, LSSI managing director for eastern operations, said the company is often able to negotiate lower prices for items and services because they operate 76 libraries nationwide."

"But commissioners lodged frustration that LSSI routinely refuses to divulge its profit margin. A budget LSSI provided the city last year gives a breakdown of staff costs and material costs — noting there is a 7.5 percent LSSI fee on materials — but does not otherwise outline the company’s fee."

LSSI are very secretive about their profit margins, the data is seen to be 'commercially sensitive' which to me, and the San Juan Commissioners, seems to fly in the face of accountable and open local democracy!

(thanks also to Lori Rivas from the Save Our Santa Clarita Libraries Campaign for verifying this story)

Newhall library lacks a professional library staff - Save Santa Clarita Libraries - 10/07/12

http://savesantaclaritalibraries.wordpress.com/2012/07/10/newhall-library-lacks-a-professional-library-staff/

"In August 2010, when the city approved a contract with LSSI, a prevalent citizen concern was that LSSI would cut costs (and maximize profit) by reducing staff. Today, although we employ 14 municipal librarians, not one single librarian works primarily out of Newhall.
City manager Ken Pulskamp responds that the city employs a “team approach” to serving library patrons, ie, the Newhall library patrons are served *just fine* without their own librarians."

Please listen to the linked video of Lori Rivas speaking to the City Council about the de-professionalisation of the service under LSSI.

read also;
http://www.the-signal.com/section/33/article/69809/

LSSI exec Pezzanite doesn’t understand “emotional” library women - SCVTalk.com - 04/07/11

"The hits just keep coming with this guy. He can’t help but say offensive things when it comes to public libraries and their advocates. This time, he insulted an SCVTalk reader and library-booster, Lori Rivas, after she went to a library conference in New Orleans and spoke out against privatization:"

http://scvtalk.com/2011/07/04/lssi-exec-pezzanite-doesnt-understand-emotional-library-women/

The Darth Vader of the library world, Frank Pezzanite, puts his foot in his mouth again! The comments on the article are worth reading too, especially the ones from Lori Rivas, the Santa Clarita Library campaigner;

"Though I hope LSSI offers great libraries to the community, “great libraries” will not compel me to use…just like “low prices” do not compel me to shop a Wal-Mart, or Sunday coupons do not compel me to buy junk food, so it is that whatever our libraries end up being, I am not compelled to use their services."