Brewster KahlePrivatizing local public libraries?
Yes, and ongoing. article about one pending takeover: https://bookriot.com/huntsville-public-library-privatization/
The vendor cited is:
https://www.lsslibraries.com/who-we-are/
Yow. New to me.
What do you think?
drmna_info@brewsterkahle Travesty. Sadly, the future of libraries. After a nearly 30 year career in libraries, I'm about done.
The Ferridge@TheFerridge @brewsterkahle LS&S has a reputation... https://fair.org/home/a-for-profit-company-is-trying-to-privatize-as-many-public-libraries-as-they-can/
'A For-Profit Company Is Trying to Privatize as Many Public Libraries as They Can'
"There’s just a lot of potential for the information loop to be a closed loop that’s controlled by one company."
@drmna
@brewsterkahle
That link just shows a "forbidden" message. What I was more wondering about is why you are looking to stop working as a librarian. Same privatizing encroachment?
@brewsterkahle
That link just shows a "forbidden" message. What I was more wondering about is why you are looking to stop working as a librarian. Same privatizing encroachment?
@TheFerridge @brewsterkahle The focus has strayed from collections and helping people with information. Privatization is also an issue.
This is in the US, right? I'm sorry to hear :(
libraries are...
Not Dead Yet.
These are the Best time to be in libraries because they are in transition. Transitions are a time libraries need help, and libraries can be helped.
We need to keep the spirit of "Free to All" of the Boston Public Library.
All hands on deck.
Tiakuh Son@brewsterkahle @drmna That being said, its imperative to improve digital libraries. That's the only way to democratize literature beyond physical accessibility whitin a country. I find several times that the books I am interested are hundreds of km away.
Agreed-- as much as I love print, it is digital that is our way forward.
As for the @internetarchive we are preserving one copy of every physical and digital published work we can (now millions of copies of both physical books and digitized books for instance).
for reference work, at least, digital is the way to go.
antipode77@brewsterkahle @tia6o @drmna @internetarchive
Books are a societies memory.
We should keep both paper and digital.
We need a cycle. Book -> digital -> book -> ...
1 Create multiple copies of a book on archival paper. Store in multiple places.
2 Digitize the book with current technology.
Make it free to the world like Gutenberg.org.
Revise copyright. It is way to long.
3 Every ... years repeat step 1
Digital is short term as it fast changing.
Paper is long term and hardly changing at all.
@brewsterkahle I have followed you and your work for many years. I appreciate your efforts. What role can the typical public library in America have in this time of transition? What help can "we" provide to libraries in an era of declining visits and circulation? On the whole, commercial e-content is very expensive and comes with strings that inhibit its "Free" use. Again, thanks for all that you have done toward the digitization and preservation of materials at Archive.org
Open Art Data@brewsterkahle Who owns LS&S? Is it privately held?
Nemo_bis 🌈@brewsterkahle So the operation of the library has been outsourced, including "policy making and management oversight" (#ALA: https://www.ala.org/tools/outsourcing/background)?
This happens in Italy too. Usually the library is outsourced to a self-professed #cooperative of #librarians, which then often proceeds to slash costs by worsening work conditions. But in small municipalities <1000 people which can't afford 1 FTE it's an easier way to share costs with neighbours.
#AIB even has a guide:
https://www.aib.it/attivita/2015/42585-decalogo-esternalizzazioni-servizi-bibliotecari/
ALA Policy on Outsourcing and Privatization
Policy Statement ALA affirms that publicly funded libraries should remain directly accountable to the publics they serve. Therefore, the American Library Association opposes the shifting of policy making and management oversight of library services from the public to the private for-profit sector. Chronology of Policy Development 1997: ALA Past-President Barbara J.Statement of ALA policy on privatization of publicly funded libraries, with chronology of its developent. Links to key documents leading to the policy statement.
BALGallery@brewsterkahle not good. I see this attitude here in a library that is acting as a University property rather than as a public one.
dzrx555@brewsterkahle I think this is what happens when the extreme right tries to control everything based on a warped, outdated, hypocritical idealism way of life that they never lived, but want everyone else to think they do; and they have the right to force that onto others, why? Arrogance, hubris, bigotry, fear and ignorance.
Kathy Lawrence@brewsterkahle @brewsterkahle. Worrisome. This model seems to consolidate the higher paying admin jobs AND all of the “decision making” into the private sector. I wonder if any of their “success stories” include libraries that retained a union workforce? It would also be interesting to know how book challenges have been resolved in this model. Just two of the many concerns I have. Thanks for the heads up.
The Old Map Gallery
Karsten™️@brewsterkahle A public library that removes LGBTQA books risks being sued for violating the First Amendment. Many have been, as recently as this year.
A private library is not subject to the First Amendment, and can ban any book it wants. Yay capitalism!
A private library is not subject to the First Amendment, and can ban any book it wants. Yay capitalism!
@brewsterkahle knowledge is power. Locking away the power is a shame l
@brewsterkahle
I nearly posted this article myself. This is disturbing on many levels and is antithetical to idea and mission of a public library. The fact that this back room deal was prompted by a book display and that "the library will no longer be a resource for the community, but a tool for the city government to push their own agendas and beliefs," is downright chilling.
I nearly posted this article myself. This is disturbing on many levels and is antithetical to idea and mission of a public library. The fact that this back room deal was prompted by a book display and that "the library will no longer be a resource for the community, but a tool for the city government to push their own agendas and beliefs," is downright chilling.