Privatize Prince William Library management? We’ve been here before.

Prince William County leaders are again are exploring the possibility of privatizing the management of the county’s public library system.

Gainesville District Supervisor Peter Candland earlier this year called for a study to find out what would need to happen to convert library managers from county employees to agents working for a private firm. He said move could save county taxpayers up to $15 million over the next five years.

The Board of Supervisors will be briefed on the proposal at its meeting on Tuesday, June 21, 2016.

“Since the Board of County Supervisors voted to move forward with the request for proposal (RFP), the Prince William Public Library System (PWPLS) has continued to support the County’s Purchasing Division on all informational requests as they prepare for the June 21, 2016, Board RFP review. Connie Gilman, Ph.D., the PWPLS Library Director, has overseen the entire assistive process that focused on providing a detailed scope of library services currently offered to patrons.

I believe it is vital that any potential vendor understands the sheer extent of services and materials offered by a thriving Prince William Public Library System, especially for our patrons.” 

— Statement from the office of Prince William County Library Director Dr. Connie Gilman

This isn’t the first time county leaders have explored the option of privatizing libraries. County leaders explored the option of privatizing the Montclair and Gainesville community libraries that opened last fall, staffed with county employees.

Eight years ago, the county leaders explored a plan to privatize the entire system. Here’s what we learned after submitting a Freedom of Information Act request for county documents:

Previous Privatization Proposal – In the fall of 2008, the former Library System Director was approached by Library Systems and Services, LLC (LSSI) regarding the possibility of privatizing the Prince William Public Library System.

At the December 4, 2008 meeting of the Library Board of Trustees, the former Library Director reviewed information about LSSI with the Library Board. The Library Director and Library Board Chairman met with the County Executive, the Chairman of the Board of County Supervisors and a representative of LSSI.

The Library Board passed a resolution (08/12-3) directing staff to gather information about the privatization of the Library System for presentation at their January, 2009 meeting. Further, the Library Board directed the Library Director to invite LSSI and a competitor to make brief presentations at the January 2009 meeting.

At a special meeting held on January 8, 2009, the former Library Director spoke briefly about the outsourcing proposal from LSSI, indicating a packet would be prepared for the Library Board which would include the research as well as questions from staff. Brief discussion followed regarding whether to pursue an RFP or Request for Information (RFI); what the role of the Library Board would be if privatized; and what would happen to staff. The Library Board requested information be sent to them prior to the next meeting.

At their January 22, 2009, meeting, the Library Board was briefed about the LSSI meeting that was held on December 18, 2008 with Chairman Corey Stewart, his aide, Library Chairman Burk Andrews, Trustee Jean Gehlsen, the County Executive, George Bateman of LSSI, and the former Library System Director. LSSI declined an invitation from the Library Board to attend their January 22nd meeting to discuss their outsourcing proposal and stated that they would prefer not to discuss this in a public forum. LSSI recommended that the Library Board initiate an RFP or RFI and they would respond. The former Director noted:

1. Information requested from LSSI had not been received

2. An RFP or RFI would be a lengthy process and require a tremendous amount of time from Library staff, the Finance Department, and the County Attorney’s office

3. In response to questions, LSSI indicated that the Library Director would be hired by the jurisdiction and become a contract manager

4. Approximately 80% of library staff would migrate to the new company

5. Savings would be in staff benefits which would be lost with LSSI

Privatization – Library February 627, 2014 Page 3 At the February 26, 2009 Library Board of Trustees meeting, the former Library System Director made a recommendation not to proceed with the proposal to privatize the Library based on the following, according to the Brief:

1. LSSI takes over library systems that are broken. The Library System is not broken.

2. The Library System has had an incredibly high customer satisfaction
rating for over 15 years. LSSI would have difficulty achieving a higher rating.

3. Unfair to employees. Although LSSI claims to have comparable salaries, they do not have retirement benefits.

4. LSSI is reluctant to talk with the Library Board in a public setting. We are an open system.

5. Utilization of volunteers is unknown.

6. The Library System is able to sustain its level of service even with budget cuts.

As a result of the former Library Director’s recommendation, the Library Board of Trustees passed a unanimous resolution (RES 09/2-4) to table further discussion of the privatization of the Library System.

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