The League of Women Voters of California calls for public libraries to be funded by government but does not have a policy position opposing privatization of public library operations. However, the LWVC position on Public Libraries calls for

• Provision of adequate professional and nonprofessional paid staff
• Consolidation of library functions or systems to achieve cost effectiveness that would not affect the quality of service.

   

LWVSJC will be evaluating any city/county library privatization proposal with those criteria in mind.

Of relevance to this discussion is an action taken by LWVUS at its Convention this past Spring. The national League adopted a study on privatization: the policy agenda to transfer government functions, services and assets to the private sector. LWVSJC has already taken on the issue of water privatization, and we will be encouraging members to participate in this new national study.