[GPSCC-chat] Fwd: Stop the privatization of California libraries

[Spencer Graves]

Hello:


       Tomorrow, July 7, California lawmakers are reportedly scheduled 
to vote on AB 438, which "would tie the hands of local government" in 
decisions regarding privatizing local public libraries. Reportedly, 17 
public library systems have already been subcontracted to Library 
Services and Systems, Inc., which fires all employees, hires only a 
minimal lowest paid staff, typically without degrees or experience in 
librarianship and follows by inventing ways to increase fees, etc.  
AB438 would require transparency in these decisions.


       I signed the "change.org" petition, adding, "I don't want big 
business deciding which books are allowed in public libraries.  Our 
current economic problems would be more easily solved if the commercial 
media did not place the interests of advertisers (e.g., major banks) 
above the public."  We also would not be in Iraq today if the mainstream 
media had held an honest discussion of how Saddam Hussein got the 
weapons of mass destruction the W administration claimed he had.


       Best Wishes,
       Spencer


-------- Original Message --------
Subject: 	Stop the privatization of California libraries
Date: 	Wed, 6 Jul 2011 09:39:00 -0700
From: 	Jess Kutch, Change.org <mail at change.org>
To: 	spencer.graves at structuremonitoring.com




Change.org

*Tell California lawmakers: Public libraries should not be run for 
private profit 
<http://www.change.org/petitions/tell-california-lawmakers-public-libraries-should-not-be-run-for-private-profit?utm_medium=email&alert_id=busmsMlUXl_CDiqmwwwsC&utm_source=action_alert%20>*

<http://www.change.org/petitions/tell-california-lawmakers-public-libraries-should-not-be-run-for-private-profit?utm_medium=email&alert_id=busmsMlUXl_CDiqmwwwsC&utm_source=action_alert%20>

Sign the Petition 
<http://www.change.org/petitions/tell-california-lawmakers-public-libraries-should-not-be-run-for-private-profit?utm_medium=email&alert_id=busmsMlUXl_CDiqmwwwsC&utm_source=action_alert%20>

Dear Spencer,

On July 7, 2011 California lawmakers will vote on whether public 
libraries throughout the state will continue to be privatized without 
transparency and accountability.

Privatization means revenue determines what books are ordered, what 
hours are kept, and who’s hired and fired.

*Act now: Ask the California Senate to protect California’s librarians 
and keep public libraries out of the private sector’s grasp by signing 
Santa Clarita librarian and union member Gina Quesenberry’s petition. 
<http://www.change.org/petitions/tell-california-lawmakers-public-libraries-should-not-be-run-for-private-profit?utm_medium=email&alert_id=busmsMlUXl_CDiqmwwwsC&utm_source=action_alert%20>*

The out-of-state corporation trying to take over California libraries is 
Library Services and Systems, Inc. (LSSI). They overhaul libraries to 
make a profit at the public’s expense.

*LSSI has a clear method:* taking over a library, firing the staff 
(beginning with union members), then hiring back the least expensive 
candidates. They don't even require librarians to have a degree in 
library science.

LSSI also takes advantage of being the /only /library privatization 
company that takes over whole systems by bidding low to take over a 
library, then demanding more and more money for services after 
privatizing the system.

If the new bill (called AB 438) passes, local governments will have to 
present information about bidders and proof of cost-savings to citizens 
before they can privatize a library. They’ll also have to hold a 
/competitive/ bidding process – and guarantee librarians’ job security.

LSSI already operates 14 library systems -- and they're aggressively 
seeking to expand. This is the bill that can stop them.

*Click here to sign Gina’s petition to ask State Senators to pass AB 438 
and keep California’s public libraries focused on public interests, not 
profits:*

*http://www.change.org/petitions/tell-california-lawmakers-public-libraries-should-not-be-run-for-private-profit* 
<http://www.change.org/petitions/tell-california-lawmakers-public-libraries-should-not-be-run-for-private-profit?utm_medium=email&alert_id=busmsMlUXl_CDiqmwwwsC&utm_source=action_alert>**

Thanks for taking action,

- Jess and the Change.org team


This email was sent by Change.org to spencer.graves at structuremonitoring.com.
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