A drive is afoot to privatize the public libraries in many communities. In some locations, libraries have been outsourced to private entities in response to local budget crises. However, in Santa Clarita, Calif., the libraries are in good fiscal health. Nonetheless, the city is moving to privatize its libraries.
The chief executive of Library Systems and Services Inc., Frank A. Pezzanite, has assured the city that, through paying LSSI $4 million, it will save $1 million, by eliminating the libraries’ unionized employees.. Nationally, LSSI has about $35 million in annual income.
An area resident, Jane Hanson, 81, has set up a petition board to get rid of the company and put the libraries back into the hands of the city. In three weeks she has managed to get 1,200 signatures. The SEIU has launched a campaign for workers to wear red T-shirts against privatization. Libraries should serve the community, not make a profit for a private company.
