> > > > > > Stop the privatization of California's public libraries. >A vote in the state senate to protect our libraries is coming up soon. > >Clicking here will automatically add your name to this petition to your state >senator >"Public libraries should be operated for the public good, not private profit. >So I urge you to vote for AB 438." >Automatically add your name: > >Learn more about this campaign >Dear Daniel, >We can't sacrifice our public libraries to corporations looking to make a >buck. >Public libraries provide tremendous value to our communities. And it's not >just about books. Whether it's access to the internet or a safe place to study >after school, libraries create a civic space that impacts everyone from >children to seniors. >But this vital role is threatened when the operation of public libraries is >handed over to private corporations that seek to run the libraries first and >foremost to maximize their profit. >Click here to automatically sign our petition telling your state senator to >support AB 438 and stop the privatization of California's public libraries. >In the midst of successive budget crises, California has seen a number of >communities consider turning over their public libraries to private >corporations, often without the type of public dialogue and considered >analysis such an impactful decision merits. >One of the central problems with privatization is that claims made by >corporate privateers often have little basis in reality. Or hidden costs >become apparent only after a private company has taken over. >Local officials have a duty to ensure taxpayers don't get a raw deal. But >slick sales pitches, budget shortfalls or conservative ideology can entice >elected officials to rush headlong and embrace risky privatization schemes. If >that's not enough, right now there's no requirement that the public be given a >meaningful chance to weigh in before a public library is privatized. >AB 438 — which was passed in the California State Assembly in June and will >soon get a vote in the State Senate — will protect our libraries from >privatization. It will give taxpayers the information they need about library >privatization efforts in their community, and shift the burden of proof to >require credible evidence that the community will benefit from privatization. >The bill requires that a city or library district that intends to employ a >private contractor to operate a library shall require 1) a fair cost analysis, >2) proven savings to the taxpayers, 3) competitive bidding, 4) proven >qualifications of the contractor, 5) no displacement of current employees, and >6) performance and financial audits. >Or as Assemblyman Das Williams, who wrote the bill, said: "All of the things >that [a company] promises to the public for cost savings should have proof. >And it should be proof that is presented to the public in a public meeting >with adequate notice. That's what I view as the core of this bill." >These are rather modest requirements given the central importance of public >libraries to local communities. >Click here to automatically sign our petition telling your state senator to >support AB 438 and stop the privatization of California's public libraries. >The state senate will be voting on AB 438 soon. So speak out today and tell >your state senator that public libraries should be operated for the public >good, not private profit. >Thank you for standing up for California's public libraries. >Matt Lockshin, Campaign Manager >CREDO Action from Working Assets > >________________________________ > > Share on Facebook >Post to your wall Tweet this >Post to Twitter > >This is a message from CREDO / Working Assets. © 2011 CREDO. All rights >reserved. Questions? Send us an email or write us at: 101 Market Street, Suite >700, San Francisco, CA 94105.
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