HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009 07 13 Other Public Input Distributed By Lori Bosse Date: July 13, 2009
This document was distributed to those on the
dais from Ms. Lori Bosse during Public Input at
the July 13, 2009 City Commission Regular
Meeting.
Keep our Seminole County Public Libraries Public!
Seminole County Government has posted a request for proposals (an RFP)
for privatizing the library system. They are suggesting that outsourcing the
library system to a private FOR PROFIT company would save the county
money, but at what cost to us, the citizens?
A for- r
p ofit company is actually seeking to make a profit off SAVE
of our tax dollars.
Ol1R
Service to the citizen will no longer be the priority, profit LjgRARLES-
will.
There will be a loss of citizen input and community support.
A for -profit company will now hold all of our private citizen's
personal records that were entrusted to the library.
The company currently under consideration is not even locally
owned, but out of state and none of the profit would stay in 4,
Seminole County.
Please make your voice heard and contact your County
Commissioner who will make the final decision. Keep your
Library YOUR Library.
District 1, Bob Dallari, Chairman, fmacdonald @seminolecountyfl.gov
District 2, Michael McLean, Vice Chairman, mdobson @seminolecountyfl.gov
District 3, Dick Van Der Weide, deswine @seminolecountyfl.gov
District 4, Carlton Henley, gvenn @seminolecountyfl.gov
District 5, Brenda Carey, alockhart @seminolecountyfl.gov
Please visit our blog http:// keepingpublicseminolepubliclibrary .blogspot.com for
ongoing information which will grow our understanding of the situation
and the progress that is being made towards realizing a successful solution.
Sign up for updates.
Sign the online petition!
http: /www thepetitionsite. com/ l/ keepingpublicseminolepubliclibrary
CITIZENS SAY "NO" TO OUTSOURCING
SEMINOLE COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY SYSTEM
"YES" TO KEEPING PUBLIC OUR PUBLIC LIBRARY SYSTEM
This petition encompasses 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's 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 privatizing the library system could save money. We disagree with this
viewpoint. Truth is the contractor has to make a profit over operating costs. Profit comes from
our pockets and can decrease significantly library services and quality personnel. We do not want
our money to be spent in this manner. No to privatizing the system is our united voice.
An online petition is available for citizens to sign and send comments about the
Seminole Public Library. A print copy is available at the blog below with return instructions.
http:// www. thepetitionsite .com/1 /keepingpublicsemino lepubliclibrary
For more information visit http:// keepinwublicseminolepubliclibrary .blogspot.com/
As new material develops it will be posted. Three concerned citizens strive to be current.
REFERENCE SOURCES
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT: Return on Investment, Florida State Department 2004
http: /dl is.dos.state.fl.us /bld /roi/
WISCONSIN: Economic Impact of Public Libraries: http: /dpi.wi.gov /pld/econimpact.html
Seminole Board of County Commissioners June 9, 2009 meeting, Resident Business survey
video presentation; Click on 4 under Awards and Presentations at:
http:// scinet .seminolecountyfl.gov /scinet/ Agenda /AgendaUnofficialMinutes.aspx ?acid =72
THREE CITIZENS' COMMENTS FROM ONLINE PETITION
"Seminole County libraries play such an important role in the lives of Seminole County residents that
can not be met at any other place A company that takes on the outsourcing will be looking to make a
profit not provide a service. Outsourcing is not good for our country and is not good for our county."
"How are we going to haves literate society if you close the libraries or reduce their services? The
children's section is the most important I'm a SCPS Media Specialist at Seminole High School I see
everyday the reading skills ourchildren bring to high school Children from high to medium income
levels come with fairly developed reading skills. The lower income children are not as fortunate; to close
or reduce the services would deprive the poorest children of the only resource available year round"
"The contractor has to make a profit over operating costs. This profit comes from our tax money."
Contact: Margie Johnson mej(a,cfl.rr.com (407) 359 -8089 or
Mary Elizabeth Mdlvane mmcilvane@cfl.rr.com 407 339 -7743
Citizens Say "No" to County Commissioners Outsourcing
the Seminole County Public Library System
"Yes" to Keeping Public in Our Public Library System
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 the County Commissioners that Seminole County's Public Library system should not be
outsourced.
In the media, on the internet, over the fence and in checkout lines, the buzz is that County Commissioners believe
privatizing the library system could save money. We wholeheartedly disagree with this viewpoint. The truth is the
contractor has to make a profit over operating costs. That profit comes from our pockets and can significantly decrease
library services and quality personnel. We do not want our money to be spent in this manner. We, the citizens of
Seminole County say NO to privatizing the library system.
An increasing number of citizens need the library's services; recently on SCPL's internet home page a "Financial
Hardships? Box" with links to helpful resources was introduced. Managers were aware of this need and responded
with public service assistance for the more than 330,000 residents with Seminole County Public Library cards.
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.
Management acquisitions of information products, services and decision making will not reflect citizen input.
Volunteer and community support will be lost to the contractor's profit priorities.
Florida's sunshine transparency and accountability will be lost with outsourcing.
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.
The prime company being 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. In 2008 the equivalent of our county's population visited the library 3 times or 3,408 visitors daily. That is
one person every 10 seconds.
YES, Leave the PUBLIC in Seminole County Public Libraries!
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