Say NO to McLibrary's: Local Government's plan to outsource library services.
By Gary Whalley
USU Organising Unit
Jun 26, 2009
What does this mean? Marrickville, Ashfield, Canterbury, Botany Bay, Burwood and Canada Bay - McLibraries! These Councils are considering contracting out your Library Resources to a single provider!
If six libraries, all in the same area, sign a single contract to supply ALL their books, will the range of books be reduced and where will the public go for specialised services?
Each Council say they want to sign a contract that could degrade collections to a very basic standard and could potentially erode council’s extensive collections. Staff numbers could be affected and library specialised services reduced.
No specialised cataloguer in your language!
Providing resources in Languages Other Than English to the community would be of a lower standard to that currently maintained by in-house staff.
A single provider supplying all the books to your library, down from a variety of specialist suppliers!
In a library where resources have already been downgraded, staff will have only one place to get all their books from. This means less options, a smaller range and being at the mercy of a single provider. The loss of such a good Service is something that all people in your local Community should be concerned about.
“These Councils represent diverse and multicultural communities and as such should pride themselves in providing high quality services for that community”.
What can YOU do?
1. Phone/, email, or Write to your Mayor and Councillors:
To show that you do not want services within your council outsourced.
Details are available at these websites:
Marrickville - http://www.marrickville.nsw.gov.au/council/councillors.htm
Ashfield - http://www.ashfield.nsw.gov.au/page/councillors.html
Canada Bay - http://www.canadabay.nsw.gov.au/council_and_meeting_info/mayor_and_councillors/council_members/council_member_gallery.html
Canterbury - http://www.canterbury.nsw.gov.au/www/html/2290-mayor-and-councillors.asp
Botany Bay - http://www.botanybay.nsw.gov.au/council/councillors.htm
Burwood - http://www.burwood.nsw.gov.au/upload/nviyq39298/Burwood%20Councillor%20List%20Updated%20Reduced.pdf
2. Attend Council Meetings: Check the agendas on the Council website to raise your concerns to your elected officials.
3. Write to your local Newspaper, Sign Petitions and attend rallies.
For more information regarding this issue, please go to www.usu.org.au or call 1300 136 604.
Save Our Libraries
Contact:
USU Support Team
1300 136 604
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