From Wicked Local, MA State Rep. Richard Tisei discusses the possible privatization of two Massachusetts public libraries, those in Dartmouth and Tewksbury.
From the article: “The reason Dartmouth and Tewksbury are considering such a drastic measure boils down to one thing: money. Both communities are facing significant financial problems and are looking for ways to reduce municipal costs and balance their budgets. Dartmouth has already closed one of its three library branches, and a second branch was closed temporarily, pending the outcome of a local override question.
The mere mention of the word privatization has drawn strong opposition from the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners (MBLC) and other library advocates, who fear it will mean fewer options for library patrons, ranging from reduced hours of operation to less titles available for borrowing.
In a March 20 Boston Globe article, MBLC spokesperson Celeste Bruno said the board would oppose any attempt to privatize a public library because “there is a huge difference between a private, for-profit company and a library which essentially belongs to the community and answers to every resident of the Commonwealth.” Therein lies the heart of the debate: how to keep the “public” in public libraries.”
From Wicked Local, MA State Rep. Richard Tisei discusses the possible privatization of two Massachusetts public libraries, those in Dartmouth and Tewksbury.
From the article: “The reason Dartmouth and Tewksbury are considering such a drastic measure boils down to one thing: money. Both communities are facing significant financial problems and are looking for ways to reduce municipal costs and balance their budgets. Dartmouth has already closed one of its three library branches, and a second branch was closed temporarily, pending the outcome of a local override question.
The mere mention of the word privatization has drawn strong opposition from the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners (MBLC) and other library advocates, who fear it will mean fewer options for library patrons, ranging from reduced hours of operation to less titles available for borrowing.
In a March 20 Boston Globe article, MBLC spokesperson Celeste Bruno said the board would oppose any attempt to privatize a public library because “there is a huge difference between a private, for-profit company and a library which essentially belongs to the community and answers to every resident of the Commonwealth.” Therein lies the heart of the debate: how to keep the “public” in public libraries.”
The company that bid to run the libraries is LSSI.
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