Wandsworth confirmed in last three to run Croydon’s libraries - Inside Croydon - 01/10/12

http://insidecroydon.com/2012/10/01/wandsworth-confirmed-in-last-three-to-run-croydons-libraries/

"The final bidders, as we predicted, are Greenwich Leisure, John Laing Services (a subsidiary of the company that is already in bed with Croydon over the £450 million URV property speculation deal) and Wandsworth."

Eight-year contracts are on offer, although the local Labour party has suggested that were they to win power in 2014, they would seek to cancel the deal."
“This concluding part of the tendering process follows several months of detailed discussions which have allowed both councils to make sure that the organisations who submit final bids are all fully capable of running the service,” an official council statement issued this afternoon by Croydon Council said.
"Final bids will be due in next month, with the successful bidders taking over the running of our public libraries by April next year.

“This is an important milestone in the project as we have now closed our preliminary discussions with the bidders and they now have three weeks within which to complete and return their tender documents for us to evaluate against established criteria,” said Tim Pollard, the cabinet member for children, families and learners who inherited this policy from the shambles left by Sara “Book Token” Bashford."

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)

LSSI 'fired' in San Juan?

Spotted the following story http://www.afscmeinfocenter.org/privatizationupdate/2012/09/san-juan-fires-library-managers.htm

Source: Elizabeth Findell, Monitor, August 30, 2012
Maryland-based LSSI has run San Juan's library since 2007, ... The company proposed continuing to operate the library for the current $281,686 annual tab, plus a 3 percent employee cost-of-living increase. Expanded services the city had requested, including additional teen programming, Sunday hours, more books and a seventh employee, would cumulatively add $120,000.... Commissioners declared that cost for the added services unacceptable and nixed the company, overruling Mayor San Juanita Sanchez and opting to see if the city could add hours and staff for less money....

the strange thing is that this is all i can find, the original full-text story has been wiped! Have LSSI blocked it, is it false?
 

Tories brand library consultation a 'sham' - The Hounslow Chronicle - 26/09/12

http://www.hounslowchronicle.co.uk/west-london-news/local-hounslow-news/2012/09/26/tories-brand-library-consultation-a-sham-109642-31910528/

"Conservative Group leader, councillor Peter Thompson said: "The consultation was held during the summer holidays and the Olympics, no wonder the response was so low, ward councillors were not even told about it.

"The consultation should be re-run and announced so everyone is aware that, again, libraries are under threat and that their voice must be heard. The final question in the consultation of the option to 're-locate library sites' is ominous as this means closure."
Conservative deputy leader, Cllr Liz Mammatt, called the consultation "a sham".

"The strategy's main options suggested placing other Council services within libraries and also relocating existing libraries to more convenient sites to release funding."

"Residents and local groups are also unhappy with the consultation. Suzie Betlem, president of the Brentford Chamber of Commerce, said: "I would definitely support a re-consultation. Libraries are extremely important in our community, especially for school children using it for educational purposes, and I feel not enough was done to advertise the consultation."
"The council could have slipped in a form with our council tax letters, then everyone would have seen it, even if they did not choose to fill it in."

There are 44,937 registered library users in Hounslow and there where 250 responses to the 'consultation', which Labour thinks is a good outcome!

Yet another sham library consultation and another slap in the face for local democracy and accountability.

John Laing Integrated Services (JLIS) run Hounslow Libraries, so it just goes to show privatisation doesn't protect services from the ravages of austerity cuts!


 

Fears for York's libraries - The York Press - 25/09/12

http://www.yorkpress.co.uk/news/9947277.Fears_for_York_s_libraries/

"YORK’S libraries could be taken out of council control under a potential shake-up, according to opposition councillors.
The Liberal Democrat group on City of York Council has claimed the city’s library service may be transferred into the ownership of a “social enterprise” and that this option will form part of a public consultation to will be launched next week.
The party fears such a move, if implemented, could mean libraries being essentially “privatised” and claimed the plans were being drawn up in private. But the ruling Labour group accused the Lib Dems of “scaremongering”.


Oh dear if the rumours are true then this could be another case of a council, who just happen to be Labour, trying to push through privatisation as a 'social enterprise' or as Lambeth like to call it the 'cooperative model'!

Protest at Lambeth's 'Co-operative Council' proposal

http://www.southlondon-today.co.uk/News.cfm?id=33383&headline=%E2%80%98Keep%20playgrounds%20in%20town%20hall%20hands%E2%80%99

"CAMPAIGNERS descended on a town hall to protest against outsourcing public services including kids’ play areas, libraries and one o’clock clubs."

"Discussion on the outsourcing issue was dropped from the agenda because of the controversy. The protest was organised after last month’s revelation that Lambeth Play Association (LPA) - a private company contracted to run children’s adventure playgrounds - had breached the terms of its contract."

"Libraries will now be run as “community hubs” with services shared between the borough’s nine sites. "   "But opponents of the plan believe it will mean fewer staff and books available."

"Council leader Steve Reed has defended the “co-operative council” model."

Speak Up For Libraries conference 10/11/12

I, along with Hannah Bailey from Unison, will be presenting a workshop on privatisation at;

      

Speak Up For Libraries is a coalition of organisations and campaigners working to protect libraries and library staff, now and in the future.

Speak Up For Libraries conference - 10 November

The Speak Up For Libraries coalition conference for library supporters is on Saturday 10 November 2012.

• Time: 10am - 4.30pm
• Venue: CILIP, 7 Ridgmount Street, London WC1E 7AE
• Cost: £20 per person
• see website for booking form, leaflet and flyer

http://www.speakupforlibraries.org/conference.asp
http://www.facebook.com/SpeakUpForLibraries
@SpeakUp4Libs