12. "If the City leaves the County system what materials go with the County and can the City afford to replace those items?"

13. "Is everybody aware that LSSI LLC based out of Germantown, Maryland is part of a global corporation that has an associated group that practices across the Atlantic as LSSI UK Ltd?

What will be the effect on the value of housing in a community that now has no public library?

What an excellent political move. The slimey valley city council members don't want the backlash from closing their only library so they hire a outside "private" firm (like a library hospice) for comfort care and an anonymous death.

My experience has been "private" companies like to make a profit. How do libraries make a profit?

Being a Republican city is painful for it's citizens. In Thousand Oaks we keep our Republican politicians on a short leash. In Simi Valley they run wild and this is what happens.

Sounds like a power grab by Simi Valley, probably on orders from the VCRCC.

Saw the first 2 1/2 hours of the hearings and I was impressed watching real Democracy in action. All sides of the issue spoke eloquently and to the point and for the most part it was a civil airing-out of opinions....until, that is, someone had to play the political divisiveness card and start labeling library workers as communists.

One piece of info may have been overlooked when the former director of the Ventura County library system shot down one of reasons for leaving the system. Simi residents pay into the County system about $18 per capita, yet get back about $23 per capita in benefits. That would be a large chunk of change for a private investment group to make up....in addition to the 8% minimum return they would expect to generate off the library.

Sounds like it is time for a recall of the entire Simi Valley City Council. Looks like what they want to do is privatize the library and let some outside contractor come in and use the library as their personal piggy bank. This is the City Council jumping on the attack the middle class bandwagon. These outside groups save money by hiring shady people who may not have under gone background checks meaning criminals could be working in the library. They will probably start charging kids to check out a book and after they have made as much money as possible they declare bankruptcy and leave the taxpayers in Simi holding the bag. Only losers in the tea party could love this idea!

Interesting that neither council nor staff that came up with this strategy have any idea whether or not they'll have to buy the library from the County. It appears from a few of the speakers last night that Santa Clarita recently made the mistake of moving ahead without finding that out and now is holding an $8M+ mortgage that they hadn't counted on.

Also, no one at the City knows how much, if any, local property tax will come back to SV, if it withdraws from the County system. And keep in mind, the City presently pays into the County system LESS than it receives.

Like most comments from the opponents that evening, most everyone's comments on this board are filled with emotion, misinformation and therefore ... are off base.

The City Council was NOT going to vote on this subject. They were holding a public hearing to discuss this as an option.

The idiot who says "we hold Republicans on a short leash" happens to live in a city with a municipal libary already. Liberals .... that's the kind of stupidity I am used to from you.

So here's the truth. I am a resident in Simi and am proud of our council for being proactive. Sacramento passed a bill that will severely restrict what cities can and can't do with their libraries in the future. So if we don't make a move before January 1st, we're stuck in a system that will forever be at the mercy of someone else in control.

Our library is old, with outdated materials. Simi Valley has long supported Vta County without getting our share of resources back. To be blunt, we are tired of subsidizing other cities.

Camarillo made this move with their library and patrons love it.

And if you are wondering out the workers of our library, should we decide to make this move .... most have earned a nice pension through an unsustainable pension program. They'll be able to retire, earn their pension, and earn a salary at the same time.

One last comment. Santa Clarita made the same moves with their library system. Now they are in the process of building a new 30,000 square foot facility that will be the envy of all of us.

Thousand Oaks's children's library is 22,000 feet... Jealous of santa clarita?

So let's get this straight... Simi Valley is trying to pawn off it's crumbling library to a for profit company to come in and fix it up and run it cheaper than the county?

This is a perfect example of why people think you Simi people are stupid and it's turning into the worlds largest radio-active trash dump. This is a perfect example of why the rest of Ventura County and most of your own citizens think you're a joke.

And Thousand Oaks runs it's own "libraries"... not some out of the area for profit company.

SV spends $18 per person on its library involvement but gets back $23. That's $5 that the City loses the day it withdraws from the County system. Deduct the 8% minimum ROI that the investment group is going to want and SV loses another $1.50.

Who's going to make up that $6.50 per person loss? Library patrons? City tax payers? A reduction in police and public services? That's $650,000 the City is tossing in the trash just so they can test drive an unknown investment group.

So...what OTHER side deals are the City discussing with this Maryland investment group?

I too think we should give the private sector a shot at running this library. My guess is they'll do it cheaper and more efficiently, without diminishing services, because a private company actually has to manage to its bottom line.

That's not true of government. If they run over budget, they just go back to the City Council or Board of Supervisors and request a budget augmentation, and 99% of the time it's granted, which means an additional allocation of General Fund money (i.e., our tax dollars) being diverted to the library. And/or it could mean a new tax (a lot of communities have a special library tax). So, again, the taxpayers have to suck it up because of poor management by these library managers and directors, many of whom have their heads in the clouds.

I say - go for it!

How do we start the recall process of the entire City Council?!

I don't believe this move originated with anyone on the council. As happens so often, the council members probably were presented only one side of the issue and enough hand-picked evidence to support only one conclusion.

Here's some info on how to recall local elected officials.

http://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/recall.pdf

Keep in mind, the decision to privatize the library IS not and SHOULD not be turned into a partisan issue. It is solely a fiscal issue.

Simi Valley is what will happen to the entire Nation if the Republicans gain power again.

No common sense regulations (WM)

No attention to the environment (Rocketdyne)

Not enough taxes for public services (crumbing library) ect.

The Simi Valley city council is the reason Simi Valley has a crumbling library, WM running wild, no Rocketdyne cleanup.

It has Republican written all over it.

Hi Brian,
I just remembered why I stopped reading your blog about a year ago... People like "nobody" (above) do not add value to the discussion. The name calling is immature and uncalled for, and even incendiary.

Example:"This is a perfect example of why people think you Simi people are stupid and it's turning into the worlds largest radio-active trash dump. This is a perfect example of why the rest of Ventura County and most of your own citizens think you're a joke."

I suggesst that you consider banning people who cannot control their anger. You might gain some readers and participants.

Thanks for listening,
Jill

"So let's get this straight... Simi Valley is trying to pawn off it's crumbling library to a for profit company to come in and fix it up and run it cheaper than the county?"

The Simi library is currently being run by the Ventura Library System and by your own admission it is crumbling. Don't you think the City Council is doing the right thing by looking for better managers?

How do you know a private group can run it cheaper than the County? The SV city council made it very clear a few nights ago that they have no idea whether or not they'll save money, or get hit for millions in hidden costs. So, why go ahead now and withdraw from the County system?

Because after Jan 12 any city wishing to withdraw will have to do a cost/revenue study and make it available to voters BEFORE handing their library over to a for-profit group. Apparently the council doesn't want to be forced to make or reveal such a study. It may very well be that SV could save money by going private. But what if it doesn't. Various reports claim that Santa Clarita is $12M in the hole due to selling their library. True? False? SV's council sure doesn't know.

Wouldn't you want to know?

I see where "nobody" is making the same accusations about Simi Valley that he denies Ventura is responsible for and is trying to pin on Republicans (when the majority of the City Council in Ventura are Democrats):

- Closing down an extremely popular library in the middle of the City (Wright Library) that Venturans from throughout the City, especially children and seniors, relied heavily on.

- Closing down a much-needed fire station on the east end of the City resulting in unacceptable response times and putting peoples' lives in danger.

- Not enough taxes for high priority public services due to wasteful spending practices and a business-unfriendly attitude that has resulted in businesses going to Oxnard, Camarillo, and Thousand Oaks, rather than Ventura.

- Overly burdensome planning and building regulations that result in costly lawsuits from property owners and builders and drive potential businesses elsewhere.

- Deteriorating streets, parks, street medians, beaches, and other infrastructure in the City due to misplaced budget priorities (i.e., pension spikes to firefighters in a down economy).

What do you have to say about this "nobody?"

Simi Valley shouldn't rely on big government. Libraries are better handled at the city level.

As one of the fathers of the Ventura County Library Association, I was saddened to see it fail. It was the best hope to keep a county wide library organization alive.
It died because it ignored the rules that were agreed to when it formed - each community got back the operating funds that came from that areas taxes. Once that stopped, the areas that were not being treated fairly left. Thats why Camarillo and Moorpark have left, leaving only Ventura and Simi Valley as the cities providing the bulk of the funds. The smaller libraries have used our money for years, and now the City is trying to fix that.
If you love your library, you will support this step as the way to improve it in the future. The City is not selling the library, just contracting out the operation to a company that handles many other libraries in the area. If done correctly, we will join with Camarillo, Moorpark and Thousand Oaks in providing much better service and more materials.
Please remember that in a contract relationship, the policy issues and final budget decisions that control hours of operation, programs, and policies are done by the City Council. Do you really think the County can do a better job for the citizens of Simi Valley?

Does Thousand Oaks contract the operation out to another private library management company?

What is the name of the company "that handles many other libraries in the area"? It seems like some people don't want us to know the name because we might find something.

Oh and "Balanced View",
I know who you are. If you don't read this blog then why do you always keep complaining about what other people comment about? How can you not read the blog and whine about it so much?

Thank you, Greg...well said. However, I don't believe the issue, as it stands today, is one of doing a better job with the library. You seem convinced that the City is preparing to hand over management to a private, for-profit company yet the City is saying that no decision has been made to do that. Yet the City wants out of the County system before Jan 12, a date that would ONLY restrict the City's option to contract with FOR-profit firm (any other group can take on the job with no restriction under the new law).

So, the perception is that the City has already made up it's mind to transfer management to a for-profit firm. There's nothing wrong with that and I would hope that firm can make a nice profit off the library. The real issue then is what does the City taxpayers and library users get back in return. No one on City staff nor council seems to have any idea what it is taxpayers and users get in return.

Under the new law, the City would have to analyze and explain to the voters. Right now, rightly or wrongly, it seems the City is trying to keep voters in the dark.

If letting Blackwater take over our libraries is such a good idea why doesn't a council member stand up and take a leadership role in this thing.

Turning the Simi Library over to an out of state and outside contractor will probably work as well as it did when we turned over our energy markets to Enron. Remembr how they stole billions from Ca taxpayers and laughed about "Ripping off grandma"? If it ain't broke don't fix it! Recall may be in order.

The City would go out with a competetive procurement. There is a contractor capable of doing it. There may be others. The County itself could bid on the contract.

As far as your questions:

1. Is there a guarantee hours won't be cut?
There no guarantees that the County won't cut them, they have in the past. The Contract would specify the hours, and it would be the same for the first contract.
2. What do the volunteers that run the Friends of the Library used book section think of this plan?
They have been asked, and as long as their relationship is maintained, it would be ok with them. Other volunteers in Camarillo and Moorpark report that they are happy.
3. Will workers get a pay cut to pay for the management company?
No, the salaries will be similar. There will be more funds available if they don't have to pay the County overhead.
4. What recourse do we have if there isn't cost savings or if there are service cutbacks?
What recourse do you have if the County does that? At least you have a city Council to lobby. With the County, only one Supervisor cares, the rest can tell him to pound sand. Remember, three of the sups are from cities now out of the Library district.
5. Will it be easier or harder for nonprofit groups to rent space in the library for their programs?
Should be the same or easier.
6. Will local librarians or the corporation that manages the library choose which books are not allowed on the shelves?
I don't know any librarians that try to restict books on the shelves. They have too much difficulty in finding the money to buy them in ther first place.
7. If this is such a good idea why didn't the city do it earlier in the year with more time to discuss it?
They waited to see if the state law passed. That forced the decision. They've been thinking about it since Camarillo bolted. Now they are forced to act quickly.
8. Can we finally get some coffee in the library? Seriously, it would be a great fundraiser.
Good idea, County would never allow it.
9. What has been the experience of other communities that have tried this plan?
Both Camarillo and Moorpark are happy with their contract.
10. Are there multiple companies that could manage the library? Was it set out to be bid on competitively?
Probably more than one, but there is at least two - the Camarillo/Moorpark contractor and the county.

Hope this helps

Ventura made the right decision to not give their library over to an outside for profit firm and to keep it with the County, if Simi doesn't follow suit a recall should be considered!

To Nobody:
Regarding your comment to me "I know who you are. If you don't read this blog then why do you always keep complaining about what other people comment about? How can you not read the blog and whine about it so much?"

No, you do not know who I am. I stopped reading Brian's blog over a year ago because of commenters like you who are disrespectful of other's opinions. Just saw Brian the other day and thought I would check things out again. Sorry I bothered.

You think you are sooooo smart, but you are not. You resort to calling people "stupid" because you cannot form a logical agument for your own position. How ironic. Who really lacks intelligence here? (In case you can't figure this out, its YOU.)

Thank you to those who have contributed insightful meaningful comments. Unfortunately, the partisan whacks and immature induvuduals prevent this from being a useful community discussion forum.

Who's your Daddy, Balanced View? Yep, that would be me, you whining woos!

Stop you're crying and get in on the spirited debate here, because that's all it is.

Reminder: Politics is a blood sport. So, if you can't stand the heat, feel free to leave the kitchen.

LMAO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

"The most important asset of any library goes home at night - the library staff."
-- Father Timothy Healy
Former President
New York Public Library

The best thing about going to the library is not seeing any tea partiers because none of those losers know how to read!

The only reason this is becoming a TP issue is because the city is finding it easy to hide behind their banner. This is really about keeping voters, TPers and everyone else, in the dark until the deals are done.

"Libraries and librarians have definitely changed my life - and the lives of countless other Americans . . . they deserve the support and patronage of every single one of us who values education." -- First Lady Barbara Bush

What is this city prepared to do in the way of support and patronage? Does Simi Valley really value education? Comments on the level of its commitment anyone?

Libraries don't pay bribes. Libraries can't promise lucrative jobs down the road. Libraries never make campaign contributions...

What is Simi Valley prepared to do in the way of support...? Nothing. I'm predicting instead of tire fires at WM there will be book fires. Huge mountains of books that they can't put out. Smoldering fires for months at a time. Anyone caught with a book dealt with accordingly.

Why did this happen how could it have been stopped? Hire a intelligent supervisor. Simiy hired a farmer. Farmers aren't known for their learnin and love of books. You hired Elton Gallegly probably the least educated Congressman in the Nation. This is what you get Simi Valley. Welcome to the small government where you can drown a library in a bathtub.

Now for more pecan pie.