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.
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.
The availability of books from the shelves and Interlibrary Loan is the most frequent benefit I experience. The courtesy and help from the staff, and the library's other resources such as meeting rooms, study space and computers are helpful not just to me as an individual but for the whole community!
The most important service of libraries is the freedom to read whatever you choose, without any political or business censorship. Freedom, that's what it's all about. Children need libraries to help them grow, think, and be a good citizen of this country, & of the world!
I value more than anything the books within the library. I have a creative mind so each book is like a play or a movie of it's own. The words captivate me and keep me reading even through dinner. Sometimes I'll disappear from my own world for so long I forget what it is that I actually should be doing instead of reading :).
The personal contact with employees and volunteers--they are all booklovers like the patrons.
I would like to see Seminole focus on obtaining grants or gifts from citizens and the government to keep the libraries more updated with audio/visual material. Books on tape and CD, DVDs and CDs are essential to keep up with the demands of the digital age.
Storytimes for children and Teen Read activities have been very beneficial. Let's keep these programs going for the sake of the children of Seminole County.
I learned to read at the age of 4 and have really appreciated having a nearby Public Library -- when I was a child and had read all I wanted in the Children's Library, I was taken downstairs by the elderly librarian and read The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkein as my first book in the Adult Section of the Toronto Public Library -- when I was a teenager in high school, I would pick up books for both my working mother and myself as she did not have the time to go to the public library -- when I was grown and working full-time myself, I would visit the public library on a Saturday to keep up with my favourite authors and I really appreciated the advice about new, upcoming authors from the Librarian and public library staff. Now, at age 59, I am a permanently Disabled Person and I still read my favourite subjects (Mystery, Biography, Fantasy, and now and then a Novel) -- and I can take my 4-wheeled Maroon Walker over to the Huntsville Public Library for the occasional "Friends Of The Library" function, or check my husband's research at "The Reference Room", and I find the Huntsville Public Library staff all very knowledgeable and helpful. Thank you kindly for considering these comments in your deliberations.
Being able to read any periodicle, book ,any media I so choose without censership of said media.
I visit the library at least once every 2 weeks. It is invaluable to me for research on many topics such as health, business, running nonprofit groups, etc. The Central Branch on Oxford Rd is a busy vibrant place that people love to go to. The friends of the library work hard to sell books, magazines, puzzles, etc and raise a good bit of money to help support the library. PLease DO NOT privatize the library system in Seminole County!
What is the most important service of the wide range of services and programs offered that you value the most? Tell the Commissioners why this is so!
My widowed mother, 73 years of age retired and on a limited income, and an avid reader, relies heavily on obtaining reading materials from the library. Neither she nor other retired, senior citizens on limited incomes, can afford to purchase books or pay fees to a for-profit organization.
This should be a regular service for civilized societies.
I love doing research at the library. To get at those rare books and periodicals is priceless.
On my last visit to Florida, the first thing I did was visit the public library (in Deerfield Beach) and view maps and information about the area, FOR FREE!
