http://www.libraryjournal.com/lj/home/893187-264/lssi_gets_its_first_contract.html.csp
"The Osceola County Board of County Commissioners voted 3-2 on December 12 to allow LSSI to take over management of the six-branch Osceola Library System. The deal begins Tuesday, and it is LSSI's first contract in Florida.
The Florida Library Association (FLA) opposed the Osceola deal, stating numerous reasons in a September 14 letter from Gloria Colvin, the FLA president. The letter, which echoes the long-standing position of the American Library Association, concluded:
"The Florida Library Association believes it is not in the best interest of the residents of Florida for publicly supported libraries to be managed by for-profit organizations. Therefore the Association opposes any efforts to provide library service by contracting with such organizations."
The county's former library director, Ed Kilroy, also opposed the deal.
"I think what we're going to find as they get further into the contract, I think there are going to be some unintended consequences that they are not aware of, nor have they truly vetted it," Kilroy told Myfoxorlando.com"
Showing posts with label Osceola. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Osceola. Show all posts
Saturday, 7 January 2012
Tuesday, 13 December 2011
Private company to run Osceola County libraries - My Fox Orlando | Florida : 12th December
http://www.myfoxorlando.com/dpp/news/osceola_news/121211-private-company-to-run-osceola-county-libraries
Osceola County Commissioners voted Monday night to turn over control of the county's library system to a private, for-profit, company.
"The county's former library director, Ed Kilroy, spoke out against the privatization at the board meeting. He fears the savings just won't add up.
"I think what we're going to find as they get further into the contract, I think there are going to be some unintended consequences that they are not aware of, nor have they truly vetted it," Kilroy said."
"One retired librarian who worked in Osceola County for 16 years, is concerned about her former co-workers.
"I hope things will continue as they have been, but for some it will be hard on the employees," said Vicki Edy."
"Osceola County leaders say all the current employees will stay and be able to keep their seniority and state benefits, but will have to reapply for their jobs."
Osceola County Commissioners voted Monday night to turn over control of the county's library system to a private, for-profit, company.
"The county's former library director, Ed Kilroy, spoke out against the privatization at the board meeting. He fears the savings just won't add up.
"I think what we're going to find as they get further into the contract, I think there are going to be some unintended consequences that they are not aware of, nor have they truly vetted it," Kilroy said."
"One retired librarian who worked in Osceola County for 16 years, is concerned about her former co-workers.
"I hope things will continue as they have been, but for some it will be hard on the employees," said Vicki Edy."
"Osceola County leaders say all the current employees will stay and be able to keep their seniority and state benefits, but will have to reapply for their jobs."
Saturday, 26 November 2011
County Commission moves forward on library outsourcing; vote was 3-2 - Around Osceola - 07/11/11
http://www.aroundosceola.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=10273:county-commission-moves-forward-on-library-outsourcing-vote-was-3-2&catid=27&Itemid=55
"Outsourcing the operation of the Osceola Library System to a Maryland-based company moved forward today as the County Commission on a 3-2 vote set Dec. 12 as the date for staff to present a contract for the service.
An actual vote on a contract with LSSI is not expected until at least the Dec. 19 meeting in order to allow time for a contract proposal to be vetted by the community"
"Outsourcing the operation of the Osceola Library System to a Maryland-based company moved forward today as the County Commission on a 3-2 vote set Dec. 12 as the date for staff to present a contract for the service.
An actual vote on a contract with LSSI is not expected until at least the Dec. 19 meeting in order to allow time for a contract proposal to be vetted by the community"
Private company says it can run Osceola County libraries - wftv.com - 31/10/11
http://www.wftv.com/news/news/local/private-company-says-it-can-run-osceola-county-lib/nFRjm/
"Top officials with the LSSI company faced tough question from Osceola County commissioners Monday afternoon over their bid to take over management of the library system.
During a presentation to commissioners, LSSI said it could save the county $5 million over five years without cutting services.
"We're able to do it because we have efficiencies and we can approach things differently," Frank Pezzanite of LSSI said.
But former Osceola library director Ed Kilroy, who attended the meeting as a library advocate, is skeptical.
"They cannot in my opinion keep the hours the same, keep the staff the same, and then save that kind of money, no," Kilroy said."
"Top officials with the LSSI company faced tough question from Osceola County commissioners Monday afternoon over their bid to take over management of the library system.
During a presentation to commissioners, LSSI said it could save the county $5 million over five years without cutting services.
"We're able to do it because we have efficiencies and we can approach things differently," Frank Pezzanite of LSSI said.
But former Osceola library director Ed Kilroy, who attended the meeting as a library advocate, is skeptical.
"They cannot in my opinion keep the hours the same, keep the staff the same, and then save that kind of money, no," Kilroy said."
Thursday, 27 October 2011
Privatization Showdown Moves to Osceola County, Florida - ALA Magazine
http://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/news/10262011/privatization-showdown-moves-osceola-county-florida
"After several months of rumors about the future of the Osceola Library System that serves Osceola County, Florida, a series of public hearings that began October 25 are seeking to explain why county officials are considering the outsourcing of library services to Germantown, Maryland–based privatization firm Library Systems and Services, Inc., and how LSSI plans to deliver the services sought. Officials seem to have an uphill battle on their hands to sway their constituents, however: The prospect of privatization has already pitted library supporters and the Florida Library Association against the county commission."
see http://www.flalib.org/advocacy_documents/Website_Osceola.pdf for Florida Library Association response to privatisation proposals
"After several months of rumors about the future of the Osceola Library System that serves Osceola County, Florida, a series of public hearings that began October 25 are seeking to explain why county officials are considering the outsourcing of library services to Germantown, Maryland–based privatization firm Library Systems and Services, Inc., and how LSSI plans to deliver the services sought. Officials seem to have an uphill battle on their hands to sway their constituents, however: The prospect of privatization has already pitted library supporters and the Florida Library Association against the county commission."
see http://www.flalib.org/advocacy_documents/Website_Osceola.pdf for Florida Library Association response to privatisation proposals
Monday, 26 September 2011
Osceola County lays off 16; libraries take biggest hit
http://www.aroundosceola.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=9863:osceola-county-lays-off-16-with-libraries-taking-biggest-hit&catid=27&Itemid=55
"The library positions eliminated in terms of annual salary were valued at $455,091, while the new positions are valued at $175,793.10, for a net savings of $279,298.
Ed Kilroy, former library system director, said he believes cutting all branch managers is a precursor to the county outsourcing the library operations to Maryland-based Library Systems & Services LLC, referred to as LSSI. The county previously had set a deadline of Jan. 1 for a decision on whether to turn the library operation over to a private company in order to save money.
“They are cutting the library system at the knees,” Kilroy said, adding that if the county is headed toward outsourcing, then there hasn't been enough community dialogue on the issue."
New numbers on library outsourcing not so rosy
http://www.afscmeinfocenter.org/privatizationupdate/2011/09/new-numbers-on-library-outsourcing-not-so-rosy.htm
"The annual projected savings Osceola County government could realize by outsourcing management of the Osceola Library System to a private company has been cut by more than two-thirds, according to information provided at the Library Advisory Board meeting Wednesday.
Deputy County Manager Beth Knight reported that the initial projection of $2.5 million in annual savings the county could realize by outsourcing library management to Maryland-based Library Systems & Services. has been cut to $800,000 after further study, with the projected savings over a five-year contract about $4 million instead of $12.5 million."
"The annual projected savings Osceola County government could realize by outsourcing management of the Osceola Library System to a private company has been cut by more than two-thirds, according to information provided at the Library Advisory Board meeting Wednesday.
Deputy County Manager Beth Knight reported that the initial projection of $2.5 million in annual savings the county could realize by outsourcing library management to Maryland-based Library Systems & Services. has been cut to $800,000 after further study, with the projected savings over a five-year contract about $4 million instead of $12.5 million."
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