Library Outsourcing as Campaign Issue

\”Breaking news\” via Library Journal:

The new city administration in Jersey City, NJ has terminated the city’s $1.6 million contract with Maryland-based Library Systems Services Inc. (LSSI). The city’s new mayor, Glenn Cunningham, was elected this spring after Bret Schundler resigned to run for governor. In contrast to Schundler, Cunningham opposes privatization and campaigned against the library contract. LSSI’s contract had been renewed by the library board in May, for two years, for the same fee—$1.6 million over two years—since the first contract was signed in May 1999. However, Cunningham has since replaced several board members and named his wife to the board.

According to the Jersey City Reporter, librarians were among LSSI\’s most vocal critics.