03/13/2008
LIBRARY ADVISORY BOARD MEETING
CITY OF CLEARWATER
March 13, 2008
Present:
Robert Brumback
Frederick Dunn
Elizabeth Drayer
Marilyn Garte
Lorelei Keif
Elizabeth O'Brien
Jan Regulski
Also Present:
Barbara Pickell
Holly Ausanio
Rita Garvey
Chairperson
Vice-Chair
Board Member
Board Member
Board Member
Board Member
Board Member
Library Director
Administrative Analyst
President, FOCl
Chair Bob Brumback called the meeting to order at 10:34 a.m. at the Main Library.
To provide continuity for research, items are in agenda order although not necessarily
discussed in that order.
ITEM #1 - Welcome
ITEM #2 - Minutes
Member Marilyn Garte moved to approve the minutes of the February 14, 2008 meeting as
submitted. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously.
ITEM #3 - Library Director's Report
a) Budget Update
Director Barbara Pickell reported she has to provide $770,000 in identified reductions including
$100,00 anticipated loss from County funding. This equates to the cost of operating the
Countryside or East branch; the entire materials budget; or almost twice the cost of the Beach
and North Greenwood branches.
The passing of Amendment 1 will require a $3M budget reduction citywide; if property values
decline 15%, an additional $6.3M reduction will be needed due to loss of tax revenue. Property
tax information will not be available until the end of May.
Ms. Pickell reported everything is being looked at for possible cuts including parking lot rental;
eliminating public use of meeting rooms; reducing hours to one shift at East, Countryside and
Main libraries; closing the Beach Library; and eliminating programming. There may also be
additional technical service processes that can be outsourced.
It was suggested that organized volunteer groups be developed with specific interests in helping
to run the Beach Branch or provide programming. This may even help volunteers gain a
stronger feeling of ownership.
Director Pickell stated the Foundation is looking at the possibility of hiring an intern to reopen
the Information Desk. A volunteer coordinator would also be needed.
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b) LSSI (Library Services and Systems, LLC)
Director Pickell reported LSSI has approached the City Manager with a proposal to provide
management services of the day-to-day operations of the library system and save the City $1.5
million. The following summary was provided to the Board.
LSSI Background
· A for-profit company from Germantown, MD.
· Provides complete management of the day-to-day operations of public libraries, sometimes
called outsourcing or privatization of library service
· Scope & History
o Normally has around 10-12 active public library contracts at any given moment
o Usually manages around 50-60 different facilities since several libraries have multiple
locations
o Also provides support for specific services, i.e., automation upgrades, collection
management, cataloging and processing of materials, etc.
o Managed federal libraries for over 25 years
o Took on its first public library, in Riverside, CA, in 1997
· Still the largest service area with a population of nearly 1,000,000
· Has several unique aspects to their contract
o Most libraries serve a population of 30-50,000 people
o Red Oaks, TX, serves a population of 10,000
o Most recent and well know contract is with Jackson County, Oregon
· Closed all 15 branches when federal funding to county was cut $23 million last year
or 36% of their total budget
· Re-opened all branches with greatly reduced hours, less staff, fewer benefits
· Reduced operating costs by 45%
What LSSI does well
· Best known for taking over libraries in a management crisis
o Those in serious trouble, such as Jackson County funding crisis
o Desperately needing specific expertise, i.e., needing to automate, upgrading facility
o Breaking away from larger organizations, such as a county library systems, and having
no library management expertise in-house or in their city
· Provides for all library operating costs within a specified contract amount
· Hires qualified manager/director
· Provides expertise as needed to deal with problem areas
· Provides a library experience that meets most patron needs
· Leaves policy decisions with local governing body
Areas of question or concern
· Accountability
o As a private company, LSSI does not report how money is spent or how much profit
they make, i.e., whatever is not spent on providing library service is profit
· In City department situation, what is not spent returns to City
· Former LSSI director states that they are urged to cut costs to increase profits
· Charges administrative and handling costs as they outsource services to other
parts of their own organization
o Only Riverside County has a county employed director overseeing the contract to
insure it is being upheld
· Loss of citizen input
· Loss of community support
o Decision to move to LSSI can be extremely controversial with a strong political element
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o Controversy has included law suits, opposition from support organizations, opposing
political candidates
o Volunteer support can translate into increased profits
· Adverse impact on staff
o Profits come from lower pay, fewer benefits, no pension provisions
o Frequently re-hires former public employees after they are laid off by public agency
o Hires fewer librarians and less well-educated staff, fewer staff members
o Accused of "Union Busting"
o Has underbid staff organizations for providing contract "outsourcing" service
o Library Director required to "serve 2 masters," becomes a less convincing advocate in
the community
· Loss of local control
o Collection development is done elsewhere
Director Pickell reported LSSI has come forward reacting to the fact that libraries statewide are
facing budget cuts. They approached Clearwater and Pasco County. Last year, they
approached St. Petersburg and were turned down.
The City Council will be made aware of LSSl's offer; however, they have not yet submitted a
written proposal.
Director Pickell stated LSSI would likely layoff existing staff, then interview those persons and
offer re-employment with LSSI without a pension plan and with limited benefits. Another part of
their company would provide collection management and development services, ordering
materials with limited local input as to what the patrons want. They manage the day-to-day
operations, but the cost of operating and upkeep of the buildings is not included. It currently
costs approximately 1.27 million to keep the buildings open, including electric, utilities,
telephone, technology, and building maintenance.
In response to questions, Director Pickell stated LSSI is the only company that provides
outsource services for public libraries. The Federal Government outsourced a lot of their
libraries a few years ago; but its libraries are specialized, i.e. EPA, and serve a limited number
of people. Most public libraries that have used LSSI have not been unhappy with the service.
Many contract LSSI to fix a problem or fill a deficiency. An example of this would be a city that
has suddenly taken on a library service and needs help getting it set up. Such systems will stay
with LSSI for a few years and then move off on their own.
Concern was expressed that Friends and Foundation support would be lost if Library operations
were outsourced. Volunteers would not want to serve to help LSSI raise their profits.
Member Jan Regulski moved that, after evaluating the pros and cons of outsourcing library
operations, the Board recommend against outsourcing. The motion was duly seconded and
carried unanimously.
ITEM #4 - Unfinished Business
Library Director Barbara Pickell reported construction of the Beach Recreation Center
renovation is underway. The library portion of the construction will be completed by the end of
May, with move in during June.
ITEM #5 - New Business - none.
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ITEM #6 - Reports
a) Foundation - no report.
b) Friends
Friends President Rita Garvey reported the Volunteer Appreciation Tea, scheduled in April, will
be held at the Main Library this year. Over 200 volunteers are invited.
ITEM #7 - Board Comments
Chair Bob Brumback reported the Mayor requested a meeting to discuss the future of the cafe.
Director Barbara Pickell stated Matt, the current owner, gave notice that he wanted to leave. He
found someone interested in purchasing the business. When City management approved the
sale to Matt, it was clearly stated they would not approve any future sale of the business. Due
to strong support from patrons to keep the cafe open, City management did agree to the sale
with an amendment to the agreement that there would be absolutely no future transfers of
ownership.
Discussion ensued regarding other possible uses of the area. It was stated if the cafe closes,
part of the space could be used by the bookstore. There will not be any vending machines.
ITEM #8 - Adiournment
The meeting was adjourned at 11 :51 p.m.
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