On July 6, SEIU 721 librarians, board members and community allies testified before the California Senate Governance and Finance Committee and asked them to approve Aseembly Bill 438, legislation that would protect the public and taxpayers by requiring public notice and transparency about the true costs of privatizing public libraries.
The committee passed the bill by a 6-3 vote, sending it to the Senate.
"Public library funds are spent in the communities where they are located. If a private entity runs the library then there must be a profit for them, and those funds will not be spent on the people that use library services," LA County Community Library Manager Cindy Singer said in her testimony.
The bill will be voted on by the senate after the summer recess in late August.
The Road to Protecting Libraries
Nearly one year ago two southern California cities, Santa Clarita and Camarillo, privatized their libraries. More than 100 middle class jobs with benefits were lost and library services were diminished. In addition, local taxpayers will have to pay increased costs for library services in order to cover expenses incurred due to privatization.
Both SEIU 721 members and community activists, determined to stop the costly tide of privatization, immediately held a series of actions, including:
- Multiple petition drives (collecting more than 25,000 signatures)
- Speaking at city council meetings
- Garnering support from community groups
- Researching the private company
- Holding local officials accountable for increased fees
- Attending the American Libraries Association (ALA) annual convention, where they sponsored a booth and workshop designed to tell librarians across the country the truth about privatization.
"As one of more than 2,000 home-schooling families in Santa Clarita, I was surprised to learn that our city was considering pulling out of the Los Angeles County library system and wondered, how could our city do such a thing, without consulting the public?" Lori Rivas said at the ALA workshop.
Public Outrage and Action Produced Support
These actions caught the attention of the national media and Assemblymember Das Williams (D-Santa Barbara), because one of the cities in his district is currently considering privatization. After hearing from his constituents, librarians and community activists from Santa Clarita, Williams introduced legislation to protect public library patrons and local taxpayers.
In addition to preserving quality public services and middle class jobs that stimulate the local economy, this campaign is also about stopping the de-professionalization of public librarians' jobs. In one sign of our success, the American Library Association took action, creating a check list (pdf) for cities and library supporters to review before choosing privatization. The ALA will also be releasing a privatization study in the fall that includes California's pending legislation.
Want to get involved? Sign the petition and get more information at the campaign's website: www.privatizationbeast.org
