From: Kathy Funderburk
To: [email protected]
Subject: Support Agenda Item 24-350
Date: Thursday, June 13, 2024 8:30:16 AM
Please leave our library as it is — for the people of Huntington Beach.
From: Nicole Archuleta
To: [email protected]
Subject: Huntington Beach library
Date: Thursday, June 13, 2024 10:24:24 AM
Good morning,
I was just at the Huntington Beach library and I object to the library being sold off to a private equity company.
Please leave the library alone.
Nicole Archuleta
Sent from my iPhone
From: powell_doris
To: [email protected]
Subject: Oppose Agenda Item 25-452 RFP Library Services Date: Thursday, June 13, 2024 2:10:39 PM
I am writing in opposition to outsourcing library services to LS&S a private company.
The city's library is an award winning library year after year. Storytime is very popular and draws families from surrounding communities. The library's other unique service draw visitors from throughout the county. The budget for library services was approved at the last city council meeting. The city is currently not in a deficit and therefore there is no reason to outsource this library service at this time.
The corrupt Request for Proposals (RFP) process in which a former mayor and political donor approach the City Council with a proposal for a service already being provided be city staff.
The RFP itself was written in such a way that only LS&S could meet the requirements. And this was intentional. This procedure violates the City's own Procurement Policies and leaves the city open to another lawsuit. Which is why this proposal should be rejected.
Union Busting! City staff working at our libraries are highly qualified union employees. Many with 20 or more years of experience. These employees are public servants and answerable directly to the City. LS&S is known for hiring unqualified minimum wage employees with high turnover to increase LS&S profits. City staff go through extensive background checks, a physical, and drug test before they are hired. LS&S with not go through this process putting our children at risk.
I encourage the City Council to reject this proposal process and maintain library services as is.
Doris Powell
Sent from my Verizon, Samsung Galaxy smartphone
From: Marty Kesselman
To: [email protected]
Subject: Library Plan Forward
Date: Thursday, June 13, 2024 3:11:33 PM
Good afternoon,
I would like to say that sometimes it’s good to think about the rule, if it’s not broken, don’t fix it. Our library is a shining example of how our city it great. The location, the architecture and all the people who work there and help us. It is truly a gem of a library.
I am against privatizing our library. I don’t understand the logic or the business case. In my experience a decision like this would need a good reason and a clear and unambiguous business case. Have three qualified bids been received? Do we understand what services will be cut by each bidder? I’m only bringing up these questions because as a tax payer, it would be good for us to know the answers to these sorts of questions. At first glance, I love our library and it sure doesn’t seem broken, so I’m wondering what needs to be fixed and why.
Thank you for your time.
Marty
From: Barbara Shapiro
To: [email protected]
Subject: Library privatization
Date: Thursday, June 13, 2024 4:00:31 PM
I urge you all to drop RFP for library privatization
The public is very angry
The only good that can come from this is people will revolt and recall Grace's, Casey, Strickland and Burns Go ahead seal your fate
Sent from my iPhone
From: gail susskind
To: [email protected]
Subject: Library
Date: Thursday, June 13, 2024 5:52:44 PM
I do not support the privatization of the Huntington Beach library at all based on the minimal amount of proof that it would be a wise decision.
Thank you,
Gail Susskind
HB resident and homeowner for 45 years
Sent from my iPhone
From: Julie Ford
To: [email protected]
Subject: Please stop this Idea if privatizing our library Date: Thursday, June 13, 2024 7:54:57 PM
City Council
I have first hand knowledge of how harmful this company you are considering privatize our library is My sister lives in Escondido. The community regrets making this transition. They have lost many residents and income due to the incompetent management
Please leave our outstanding community library to continue to provide excellent service Stop making poor decisions or you will leave quite a disgusting legacy Julie Ford DDS
Julie
From: Yvonne Ly
To: [email protected]
Subject: Library Privatization
Date: Sunday, June 9, 2024 1:27:44 PM
I am deeply concerned about what I'm hearing about the possible privatization of the Huntinging Beach Central Library.
I am also concerned that several children's books have been moved to an adult section of the Library. That is confusing, nonsensical, and concerting if adults are more concerned with puberty more than kids going through it. Everyone should have access to all books because this a country rooted in freedom of thought and choice.
From: Fikes, Cathy
To: Agenda Alerts
Subject: FW: Save our libraries
Date: Thursday, June 13, 2024 2:49:29 PM
-----Original Message-----
From: ROSE SAYLIN <[email protected]>
Sent: Thursday, June 13, 2024 8:33 AM
To: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF) <[email protected]> Subject: Save our libraries
Please do not privatize our libraries.
Rose Saylin
Huntington Beach
Sent from my iPad
From: Fikes, Cathy
To: Agenda Alerts
Subject: FW: vote for Option A of Administrative Item 7, 6-18-24 cc mtg.
Date: Thursday, June 13, 2024 4:06:43 PM
From: Dan Jamieson <[email protected]>
Sent: Thursday, June 13, 2024 3:27 PM
To: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF) <[email protected]> Subject: vote for Option A of Administrative Item 7, 6-18-24 cc mtg.
Dear HB City Council.
At the June 18, 2024 city council meeting, please vote for Option A of Administrative Item 7:
to Reject the proposal for Managed Library Services for the Huntington Beach Public Library.
The citizens of HB do not want our library run by a private firm.
The entire bidding process was rushed. Library Systems and Services was apparently the one qualified bidder. (Another potential bidder openly claimed the process was flawed.) Now, on the eve of the vote to proceed, HB citizens are given scant information. Where is the LS&S bid? Why keep it a secret? References were required, and checked. What was the result? What was the experience of other LS&S clients? Staff says it completed a "thorough evaluation" of LS&S. How was this done in the short time frame from end-of-day June 6 (when bids were due) to the council agenda posted on or around June 13? The agenda item says that the disadvantages to privatizing "include significant community opposition to outsourcing library operations, a lengthy and challenging transition process, the potential loss of volunteers and donations, and the loss of features and services unique to the HBPL system. Advantages include a proposed annual cost savings of up to $1 million and streamlined bulk purchasing policies that may lead to additional efficiencies." Is this all the information HB residents are to receive? No details on what a challenging transition would look like? No estimate on lost donations, volunteers and unique services? What about those cost savings? The RFP required that library staff be offered positions at their current salary levels. Is the claimed savings to come from elimination of pensions? Estimated loss of existing staff? Where does the "up-to $1 million" in savings come from? Apparently it could be less, correct? Why? And what are "streamlined bulk purchasing policies" exactly? How might LS&S purchasing policies impact the HB library collection? The council majority knows that HB residents do not want library operations privatized. But privatizing library operations will give the council more control over the library collection.
Huntsville, Texas, for example, brought in LS&S after some residents got upset over an LGBTQ display at the public library. ( https://inthepublicinterest.org/when-public-libraries- become-private-who-will-support-them/). I truly hope this is not the intent.
The proposal for Managed Library Services for the Huntington Beach Public Library must be rejected. Please VOTE FOR Option A.
Sincerely,
Dan Jamieson
Roxanne McMillen
Huntington Beach
From: Fikes, Cathy
To: Agenda Alerts
Subject: FW: LS&S proposal
Date: Thursday, June 13, 2024 4:07:08 PM
From: Janice Deibert <[email protected]>
Sent: Thursday, June 13, 2024 3:42 PM
To: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF) <[email protected]> Subject: LS&S proposal
Let us see the LS&S proposal now! And also the Q & A’s. EveryLibrary had some interesting comments on those in their statement declining to put forth a proposal.
Sent from Yahoo Mail for iPhone
From: Fikes, Cathy
To: Agenda Alerts
Subject: FW: Library Privitization
Date: Friday, June 14, 2024 8:56:48 AM
-----Original Message-----
From: Linda Pohl <[email protected]>
Sent: Thursday, June 13, 2024 6:17 PM
To: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF) <[email protected]> Subject: Library Privitization
Please keep our libraries run by librarians and not a for profit company. Putting it out to bid for one company is absurd. Would you that do that for work done on your house or is it just when you are committing money from taxpayers!
Linda and Walter Pohl
Residents of Huntington Beach for 55 years
Sent from my iPad
From: Kathleen Bunge
To: [email protected]
Subject: Privatization of our libraries
Date: Friday, June 14, 2024 9:03:55 AM
I am writing to let you know that I DO NOT support the possible privatization of our libraries. Furthermore, no responsible person or elected official in any capacity would make a decision such as this based on just one RFP.
Kathleen Bunge
From: Tracy Luth
To: [email protected]; CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF) Subject: Vote NO on privatizing the HB Library
Date: Friday, June 14, 2024 9:20:54 AM
Dear City Council Members,
I am against privatizing our library. Please vote NO.
Tracy Luth
Sent from the all new AOL app for iOS
From: Tracy Luth
To: [email protected]; CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF) Subject: Fw: Vote NO on privatizing the HB Library
Date: Friday, June 14, 2024 9:23:09 AM
PS I have been a resident since 1986 and have used our libraries regularly for 38 years.
A single Request for Proposal doesn't mean you act must act on it.
Sent from the all new AOL app for iOS
Begin forwarded message:
On Friday, June 14, 2024, 6:18 AM, Tracy Luth <[email protected]> wrote:
Dear City Council Members,
I am against privatizing our library. Please vote NO.
Tracy Luth
Sent from the all new AOL app for iOS
From: Fikes, Cathy
To: Agenda Alerts
Subject: FW: Privatización of the HBPL
Date: Friday, June 14, 2024 11:49:43 AM
-----Original Message-----
From: elena uranga <[email protected]>
Sent: Friday, June 14, 2024 11:28 AM
To: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF) <[email protected]> Subject: Privatización of the HBPL
My name is Elena Uranga, a Huntington Beach resident, user of the Huntington Beach library, and member of a Book Club organized by the Oak View Library.
I am in support of city council agenda Item 24-350 to have the vote of residents of HB to decide the privatization /outsourcing and postpone/terminate RFP process until after vote in November 2024.
Please let the residents of HB to decide the future of our public libraries.
Your attention to this petition is greatly appreciated.
Elena Uranga
20042 Harbor Isle Ln.
Huntington Beach, Ca,92646
Sent from my iPhone
From: Marilyn Konowal
To: [email protected]
Subject: Agenda Item 24-452 June 18, 2024
Date: Friday, June 14, 2024 11:09:02 AM
This email is a request for the Huntington Beach City Council to reject the proposal for the Managed Library Services for the Huntington Beach City Public Library, item number 24-452 on the June 18, 2024 city council meeting agenda.
Our Huntington Beach Public Library is the jewel of our city because of its outstanding staff, its countless resources, services and programs as well as its amazing volunteers who give thousands of hours and money to the library each year. After researching public libraries that have been taken over by private companies, it became clear to me that no private company could five us the high quality library we already enjoy at the Huntington Beach Public Library.
The City Council should take an old saying into consideration concerning this matter. "If it is not broken, don't fix it." Our library is not broken.
Marilyn Konowal
51 year resident and property owner of Huntington Beach and user of the Huntington Beach Public Library Member of the Friends of the Library and founding member of the Friends of the Children Library Masters Degree in Library Science and Information Services From: Suzanne Hart
To: [email protected]
Subject: Privatization of our libraries
Date: Friday, June 14, 2024 12:00:47 PM
I am writing in non support of privatizing our libraries as it is truly a foolhardy thing to even contemplate. One RFP???? Really? How very convenient!
Suzanne Hart,
26 year resident
Sent from my iPhone
From: Judy Brusslan
To: [email protected]
Subject: Library Privatization_Against
Date: Friday, June 14, 2024 3:48:35 PM
Attachments: image001.png
image002.png
Dear HB City Council,
I do not support privatization of the superb Huntington Beach Public Libraries.
I am a resident of Huntington Beach.
Thank you,
Dr. Judy Brusslan
Professor of Biological Sciences
Bridges to the Doctorate PI
California State University, Long Beach