The Library Trustees have issued a report in which they conclude that they should not even consider contracting out of library services. Link to the report here. What this report does not get is that the funding for the library and every department in the town will be cut in FY2010. I am talking about reductions from last year's funding, not a cut in their requested increase. These cuts are likely to fall disproportionately on services that are nice to have, not those which the town must have. I think most would agree that the library is in the nice to have category. The Trustees disagree.
"Many Dartmouth residents ... see the library as a vital community resource like Police and DPW and are willing to support it financially."We shall see how the town feels. Whether the Library Trustees or any other department care to acknowledge it, the town cannot continue to employ the same number of people and deliver the same services. The town must reduce the number and cost of direct employees. I have written about why this is so many times on this blog. The level of benefits that are mandated for town employees by state statute and our bylaws make those employees very expensive to the town. I am not talking about their wages but benefits. Don't take my word for it, ask the Finance Committee. The town has no control over increases in energy prices or health care benefits. We can only control the increase in the costs of services that the town provides. The main component of those costs is the people we employ and their benefits.
An excerpt from the Library Trustees report...
"There is no evidence that outsourcing of the public library operations has saved any of the communities involved any money."From this post
"In the first four years of operation by LSSI, we have saved a documented 2.6 million dollars. At the same time, we increased hours, increased programs five-fold, doubled the amount of dollars dedicated to new materials, and the customer service at the library increased significantly."
The Trustees report concludes,
"After lengthy study, the Dartmouth Public Libraries Board of Trustees believes it is not in the best interest of the residents of Dartmouth to pursue the outsourcing of additional public library services at this time."Again what they are not getting is that either the town will have reduced or no services at all or we will find innovative ways to deliver them at lower cost.
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Bill, they will never get it. Ms. Eisenberg, chair of the Library Trustees, asked FinCom if they could ask for an override next year (2009). That was her answer when asked how she thought their expenses would be sustainable in upcoming years (in question at the time was the library director's salary.)
I think even Ed I. choked on that one.
Wonder if LSSI was even ever a consideration for them, or were they just going through the motions of looking cooperative? An island unto themselves, while the rest of us sink.
The document you have linked to seems to be quite comprehensive and requires more study on my part but the board of trustees seems to have given this matter considerable thought and have done quite a bit of research to come up with their findings. I would not be so quick to dismiss it out of hand.
Ms. Aisenberg has a right to ask any question she wants to of the FinCom without being subject to ridicule. She is a smart woman who has donated countless hours to our Town and deserves our gratitude even if we do not agree with her board's recommendations.
It's also clear Anon 4:27 you have not bothered to look at the link Bill has provided. Rather you go through the motions of caring without bothering to do your own research.
No ridicule was intended, just disbelief. My apologies to Ms. Eisenberg if it appeared otherwise.
I have no dispute with Ms. Eisenberg's qualifications or her good work with the library and for the residents who use its services, and there was no intention to suggest otherwise.
Good enough anon,sorry here too- we're all on edge these days....
What is the current inventory of town owned land that could be sold ? Wasn't some property scheduled to be sold this year or last ?
The town could use the land money to pay the library expenses!
Its time to tell the general public that if your behind 10 million in 2010 you need 20 million to break even . How much will it cost per thousand to break even by 2010 ?
Im not sure that bidding out an rfp to one bidder is really great idea. I read the report a few times and they seem to know whats going on with the library. What happens in say year two the costs go up? whats our recourse? possibilities of short staffing. all the recommendations against bidding into a monopoly goes back to Gov Weld as stated in the report. Say after a few years it doesnt work, who's going to run the libraries? Now if there are more than one bidder , say three or maybe five then maybe id be alittle more comfortable but not now with only LSSI.
I thought I read somewhere that there was more than one company that provided services like LSSI's.
Questions - Of all the communities that have privatized the library services, how many of them were decertified by the state?
Was any of them "running in the black" and privatized, or were all "in the red"?
Bill, Thanks for posting the Trustee's report. The library is their special interest and it is clear that they want as much funding and the best library system as they think the public will bear. I don't fault them for this. They made some good arguments against privatization and some not so good. I plan to read it again and do some highlighting. I got a kick out of their "road to ruin" budget presentation in the past. Equally amusing was them telling me that I am much safer with regards to political persecution if public employees check out my books instead of someone working for a private company.
frank1 -last Iheardthere werenotakersforthe Smith NeckRoad School.An RFP was issued with no success-and the market was arguably better last year when it wentout than it is now. The town will be releasing their RFP for the 2 closed schools soon,not sure what the responsetothat will be either. Tough times to be marketing property....
Selling off all real estate assets when values are at a low value and slow moving seems foolish for the long term and certainly can't be relied on for the short term.
We have put out an RFP for lease of the two schools NOT for sale.
Should have been clearer in my post. The ONLY building for sale has been the Smith Neck Road School. There were no acceptable bids received and I am not sure if it is still actively on the market or not. Phil is correct that the other 2 schools, Cushman and Gidley will be leased per the RFP issued by the town/schools.
Who's Captain Flannel???
I have a great idea!! Why don't we use Chain Gangs from the prison here in town to provide sevices at the library.. Seeing as how he owes the state a cool Million for his debacle he can have some quality inmates work off that debt to all of us. This would fit nicely into the 3 AMIGOS "NEW DIRECTION" agenda. What do you all think??
Bill, Sadly many don't get it. Here is another example: The police department. They ask for new cars, yet keep the old ones. Now we have a fleet of OVER 60 police vehicles. Take about expense, such as fuel, repairs, etc. I'm sure they are "take-home" cars too. This is nuts ! there are many places to cut, there is one, library two. How soon before the other seven contracts with the same clause will be discussed? The town planner's contract is up soon, it has been indicated publiclly that his vacation time and pay will be cut. Thats a good start. ! Lets keep it going
YEAH! GO GET HIM!
I don't know about anyone else, but I for one, feel betrayed when I give someone my money (in an override) because I truly feel it is the best thing to do, only to find out such things as these.
I think the library is an important part of every community, but we need to find ways to provide library services with less money. I understand that the library closed one of its branches. Does that mean that they employ less people? It seems like there are a lot of people working at Southworth Library.
To Nemesis-
I have a great idea!! Get a life! The SB is trying to think of creative solutions for a complicated problem. To keep doing business as usual is not an option. Constant overrides are not the answer. Creative government should be praised, not mocked. Keep up the good work Bill.
Ok ok i have a better idea you might like this Anon 7:02. Let's privatize the library, once it's all done and replacement employees are in place. I want you to brush up on your Spanish, because the only people who will do that job for minimum wage are Illegal's.
"Cee, chew wanna take out dat bouk, I be happy to hep U"
In my opinion, libraries are a vital part of any community,but we no longer need big buildings with shelves of books. We should have ten or so computers for internet use and a collection of books for kids, movies. Adults can order books from a library warehouse and residents can pick them up the next day or so. Summer programs for kids are nice. But, great big buildings that need heat and AC are not going to make it. Every six months the library has a book sale and get rid of hundreds of books. The library needs to think outside the box and re-invent how and what they offer for services. Perhaps libraries should be part of schools, where the public can also use it. Like UMASS library.
anon 11:53 have you used a library lately? it does not appear so.
Anyone remember when they had bookmobiles in Dartmouth? I used to look forward to their coming around in my neighborhood on a certain day, when I was growing up.
That is fun to remember.
To anon 6:43, Yes I have been to the library in South Dartmouth and when I travel I also go to other libraries in other parts of the country.
As a matter of fact I went to Southworth last summer during their book sale and the downstairs door was open all day while the AC was on... Yes all day, not just for a few minutes folks.
In other parts of the country,I have seen libraries moving toward internet cafes. Also with some books available, but most would be ordered from a larger warehouse to be delivered in a day or two. It seems to work out great. They are smaller buildings that are very efficient. The internet is changing the way we do so many things. Look at the decline of newspapers. Most college students use the internet instead of taking books out of the library. Like it or not, look around.
Cool! Let's build a new building. That should be cheap.
No one said we need a new building. If memory serves, we have 3 school buildings not being used and a much smaller library in N.D.
Yes, it would be awesome to use any of those buildings to house 10 terminals and a few books. Who will keep the water out of the North Dartmouth building? Where will the money come from to appropriately reconstruct any of the three schools to serve as a library as you have described? If I understand it none of the buildings are handicap accessible, they are not that much smaller than the current library and were'nt they closed becuase we could not afford to keep them open and maintain them? Why not just close the library, put the $900,ooo saved towards our $800,000+ deficit this year and then see what we should close to cover next year's budget?
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