ACQNET v7n009 (March 6, 1997) URL = http://www.infomotions.com/serials/acqnet/acqnet-v7n009.txt ISSN: 1057-5308 *************** ACQNET, Vol. 7, No. 9, March 6, 1997 ======================================= (1) FROM: Pat Wallace SUBJECT: SRRT Resolution RE: Hawaii Outsourcing (47 lines) (2) FROM: Pat Wallace SUBJECT: Hawaii Update (several items) (121 lines) (1)------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Sat, 22 Feb 1997 23:42:42 -0500 (EST) From: Pat Wallace Subject: SRRT Resolution RE: Hawaii Outsourcing Submitted by Sanford Berman on behalf of the Hawaii Working Group to the Social Responsibility Action Council of the American Library Association on 2-15-97 and passed at the Midwinter Conference of the ALA held Feb. 14th-17th, 1997 in Washington, D.C. Forwarded by Patricia Wallace,Chair, Hawaii Working Group (AIP/SRRT) RESOLUTION ON HAWAII STATE PUBLIC LIBRARY SYSTEM OUTSOURCING [PASSED BY SRRT ACTION COUNCIL, 2/15/97, Washington DC] WHEREAS materials selection and cataloging are core elements of librarianship, ensuring that library resources are both appropriate and findable; and WHEREAS commercial vendors, primarily motivated by profit-making, cannot effectively select and catalog materials for library systems whose local staffs are much more knowledgeable about their own collections, user interests, material-sources (including regional and alternative presses and groups), and access needs; and WHEREAS the Hawaii State Public Library System last year totally outsourced the procurement and processing of library materials to a private vendor; and WHEREAS such HSPLS outsourcing has clearly weakened service to Hawaii library users, seriously demoralized HSPLS staff, severely damaged library collections, and impeded access to library resources; and WHEREAS similar outsourcing of basic library functions is either underway or being seriously considered elsewhere; THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Social Responsibilities Round Table of the American Library Association urges the Hawaii State Public Library System to immediately cancel its outsourcing contract and permit Hawaiian librarians to do the selection and cataloging that only they can do best; AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that ALA/SRRT recommends that other libraries do not follow the "Hawaii Model," which demonstrably leads to wrecked, irrelevant, and inaccessible collections, as well as wasting both money and staff expertise. (2)---------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Mon, 24 Feb 1997 03:57:29 -0500 (EST) From: Pat Wallace Subject: Hawaii Update For more information, go to: http://www.hcc.hawaii.edu/hspls/sgohlah.html Reengineering & Outsourcing: The Hawaii Experience The text below is from testimony presented at an informational briefing of the Hawaii Senate Committee on Government Operations and Housing to discuss the Selection, Acquisition, Cataloging, Technical Processing and Distribution of Library Materials Procurement Contract, January 11, 1997. ***************************************************************** Subject: Selection, Acquisition, Cataloging, Technical Processing and Distribution of Library Material Procurement Contract To: Senator Robert Bunda and Senator Marshall Ige From: Librarians Association of Hawaii Date: January 11, 1997 We, the members of the Librarians Association of Hawaii, present the following position. In order to do our jobs we need: 1.Site control of selection 2.Site control of collection budget 3.Improvement of cataloging and processing We feel this is necessary due to the deterioration of the materials collections (books, magazines, reference materials and audiovisuals) which is resulting in reduced quality of public service. We believe the cause is mismanagement of funds, materials and personnel. For this reason we are requesting an immediate audit of the Hawaii State Public Library System with priority on the Baker & Taylor and Dynix contracts. We realize that this position is in contrast to that of the State Librarian, Bart Kane, but it represents our day-to-day professional experience with the public. Supporting testimony and documentation is available at your request. Faith Arakawa President ***************************************************************** HAWAII: Board of Education Press Conference Tuesday, February 11, 1997 Karen Knudsen, Chairperson, Hawaii Board of Education The purpose of today's media conference is not to rehash why we have taken past actions or what we have done. Today's purpose is to announce new action steps to amend and rectify our current outsourcing situation. First, the Hawaii State Public Library System will release $100,000 of Governor Cayetano's restriction release to the 49 public libraries so they can buy Hawaiiana and other books from local sources to meet immediate customer needs. Second, a blue ribbon committee of library, business and government persons will be appointed by the Board of Education to review and make recommendations on Baker & Taylor's performance through June 30, 1997. This performance review will include circulation, customer satisfaction, contract pricing, mix, and deliverables as well as error thresholds. Third, and most important, there are serious deficiencies in Baker & Taylor's performance since July 19, 1996. The State Librarian will be sending a letter to Baker & Taylor identifying nine areas that need specific improvement immediately. The Baker & Taylor contract calls for a 90-day dispute resolution process. It is expected that all nine areas will be addressed. They are standing orders; Hawaiiana; reference books; LBPH materials; bestsellers; childrens' selections; award books; and response to library community profiles. Mr. Kane and his staff have been ordered by the Board of Education during the past eight months to continually work with the contractor, Baker & Taylor, to make the necessary improvements in operations. Today, we announce that there will be more library employee involvement in selection, and that serious performance deficiencies must be attended to immediately. ***************************************************************** Subject: Testimony re: HGEA: Senate Bill 538, S.D. 1, RELATING TO PUBLIC LIBRARIES (later amended and passed as S.B. NO. 1370) To: The Nineteenth Legislature, State of Hawaii The Senate Committee on Education From: HEGEA/AFSCME Local 152, AFL-CIO Date: February 13, 1997 The Hawaii Government Employees Association, AFSCME Local 152, AFL-CIO supports the intent and purpose of SB-538, S.D. 1. There has arisen a great controversy regarding the contract executed by the State Librarian with a North Carolina book vendor to supply books for our public libraries. Beyond the legal concerns that have surfaced concerning this vendor are basic issues concerning what is in the best interest of the public. It has become apparent that this book vendor is not serving the needs of library patrons. The current contract has usurped the authority previously conveyed upon librarians to select the titles most appropriate for their respective libraries; this has led to concerns about erosion of the librarian's professional status as well as causing serious morale problems among library staff. It is our belief that the public is not being served by the contract with this mainland vendor. The result of this is well-publicized; Hawaii libraries are seeing less money spent on books about local culture and Hawaiiana, and more on titles that are not in great demand by our patrons. Further, it appears that we are spending far too much public funds for the books this vendor is supplying; a flat rate for all titles is clearly imprudent and wasteful. It is our firm belief that book selection should be the responsibility of those who are in the best position to know which titles should be selected: the librarians. As such, we support this legislative attempt to eliminate and prevent the outsourcing of library books. We strongly urge your favorable consideration of this legislation. Respectfully submitted, Wayne J. Yamasaki Deputy Executive Director ****** END OF FILE ****** ACQNET, Vol. 7, No. 9 ****** END OF FILE ******