On December 14, 2010 I wrote about the privatization of libraries in some regions of the United States. In July of 2011 the State of California passed a bill, AB 438, placing requirements or restrictions on such actions.
Recently the Mayor of Santa Claritia -- one of the library systems that have already contracted LSSI -- extolled the contract stipulations and benefits that improve and expand library service. This is commendable.
The question remains, will privatized public libraries continue to serve the broadest interests of communities or will contracts be marginalized over time to serve the bottom line of profits? I think it is understandable that public librarians are skeptical about a private business claiming it can do the job better while making a profit. With this bill, California slows the rush to privatization as the fast answer to economic hardship.
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