The Friends of the Libraries in Western Nevada County and Truckee, the Library Foundation, and many concerned citizens and organizations feel very strongly that the effort to outsource the operation of the Nevada County Library System is moving with unseemly haste.

We urge the Board of Supervisors to pass a resolution that no decision be made, nor contract awarded, until other viable alternatives are seriously considered.

We urge concerned citizens to let the supervisors know their concerns.

There are several issues. We all agree that the library is faced with a fiscal problem as a result of the current recession. But our Board of Supervisors has authorized a process that is MOVING TOO FAST toward replacing our highly service oriented, well-managed county library system with one that is managed by an out of state for-profit company.

The county CEO scheduled a decision by next month to begin for-profit operation of our vital public resource by February. Other less destructive solutions are not being considered. There is no immediate financial urgency that justifies such a rushed timetable. There is every reason to slow down and consider these options, as well as investigate the pros and cons of privatization more thoroughly. The situation is urgent but there is time to make the right decision. However, outsourcing the library was presented to the Board of Supervisors as the only viable option, and put on a fast track schedule.

The Library can and should tighten its belt, as the County Librarian has recommended. She can make temporary cuts to keep expenses in line with current revenue without destroying a system run by public employees and answerable directly to the public. Other institutions and individuals are cutting back these days. So should we.

Moreover, the record of the private vendor indicates that they would have to make similar sacrifices, but perhaps of a less than temporary nature, and with a history in other counties of additional expenses charged as time goes on.

There are better alternative solutions to help fund library operations. Besides cutting costs, we can be creative in addressing fund-raising, accept the Friends of the Library proposal to keep Foley Historical Library open, and conduct a survey to determine the viability of a miniscule increase in sales tax.

Community input is needed before our Public Library becomes privately managed. The unprecedented, fast track schedule set by the county precludes serious community input on such a radical solution.

Potential losses to the county when contracting with a for-profit out of state management company include breaking our agreement with tax paying citizens by shipping tax dollars out of our county. Also, if contractors make cuts which enable them to operate within slim existing budgets, services and service quality may be diminished and experienced, educated library personnel forced to look elsewhere to make a living.

The American Library Association affirms:

"Publicly funded libraries should remain directly accountable to the public 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."

To summarize, the delay will allow time…

• For the county librarian to make additional cuts in expenses to suit the recessionary budget shortfall
• To find new sources of funding within the community
• To research the real impact of outsourcing on other libraries
• For our community to participate in reaching a sensible solution.

Additionally, the Board of Directors of the Friends of Nevada County Libraries has commissioned Crotty Consulting Inc and Competitive Edge Research & Communication to conduct public opinion research concerning a library revenue enhancement ballot measure. The ballot measure would likely require that the Nevada County Library be publically managed.

To conclude, we believe Nevada County Public Libraries are worth Keeping Public and Worth Keeping Free