Passed 5/3/2011
Whereas, public libraries are vital for a free and open democracy, an educated, literate and informed citizenry, and they promote increased economic activity where they are located and act as a storehouse of our culture, history and politics and as such should not be turned into a for-profit enterprise and,
Whereas, Santa Clarita’s and other California jurisdictions’ libraries have been subject to what amounts to hostile takeovers or attempts of hostile takeovers by a for-profit, out of state corporation, Library Systems & Services LLC(LSSI) despite strong citizens’ objections, and Whereas, the for-profit library movement (now the nation’s fifth-largest library system) makes its profits by cutting union jobs and pensions, lowering employee incomes and cutting back on patron services, while the costs of running these libraries still comes entirely at the expense of the taxpayers;
Therefore be it resolved, that the Democratic Party of the San Fernando Valley (DPSFV) calls on the State Legislature to enact laws that will protect public libraries from being taken over by a for-profit corporation, and
Be it further resolved, that DPSFV send a copy of this resolution to the Democratic delegation of the State Legislature.