KEEP PUBLIC SEMINOLE COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARIES
- by: Seminole Concerned Citizens and Library Card Holders
- recipient: Semiole County, FL Commissioners
SEMINOLE COUNTY CITIZENS SAY
NO --- TO OUTSOURCING COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY SYSTEM
YES--- TO KEEPING PUBLIC IN OUR PUBLIC SYSTEM
Briefing: On June 9, 2009 the Orlando Sentinel reported a request for proposal (RFP) from the Seminole County commissioners was open for private contractors to submit by July 15 plans to manage the County%u2019s Library System. The idea is an outsourced contractor could decrease operating costs.
This petition represents Seminole county people of all ages, genders, heritages, employed, unemployed, business owners, in school, home schooled, preschool, post school, retired, preparing to retire, disabled and more. Our united strong voices stress to County Commissioners that the Seminole County%u2019s Public Library system not be outsourced.
In the media, on the internet, over the fence and on checkout lines the buzz is county commissioners believe outsourcing the library system could save money. We disagree with this view. The truth is the contractor has to make a profit over operating costs. This profit comes from our tax money. Profits can decrease library services and reduce quality personnel. This is not how we want our money spent. No to privatizing is our united voice.
º An increasing number of citizens need library services; recently on SCPL internet home page a %u201CFinancial Hardships? Box%u201D with links to helpful resources was introduced. Managers%u2019 aware of this need responded to this public service assistance to the more than 330,000 residents with Seminole County Public Library cards.
º Increased service fees with service reductions including children's literacy programs will happen. With a 31 year history of serving clients, profits will become the priority.
º Management acquisitions of information products, services and decision making will not reflect citizen input. Volunteer and community support will be lost to contractor%u2019s profit priorities
º Florida%u2019s sunshine transparency and accountability will be lost with outsourcing.
º It is unlikely a privatized Seminole County Library System will continue to partner with public community organizations including Seminole County Schools and Seminole Community College
º Daily 3,408 citizens visited the libraries in 2008. That is one person every 10 seconds or 6 people every minute. One key company to be considered is not local. Profits from tax payer money will not be invested in Seminole County. Jobs could be lost which would result in a network of losses with our tax dollars not reinvested to grow our economy.
United is our NO to Commissioners Bob Dallari, Michael McLean, Dick Van Der Weide, Carlton Henley and Brenda Carey on private contracting our library system.
We, the undersigned, hope the voices of the people concerning their desire to not privatize the Seminole County Public Library System but keep it public, as it has been for 31 years, will aptly inform you why this is important to more than 330,000 Seminole County Library cardholders.
It is the life line for introducing preschool children to reading, expanding students learning and enhancing education of business and professional people. It is a vital source for continuing education for all adults. Informed citizen%u2019s minds help foster a healthy environment for living in Seminole County, championing what is natural: the honest voice of the people and the wonder of nature's environment.
Thank you for reading our letter and respecting the voice of the people as you perform your commission responsibilities.
By signing, you accept Care2's Terms of Service.
You can unsub at any time here.
Having problems signing this? Let us know.