ACQNET v7n023 (June 21, 1997) URL = http://www.infomotions.com/serials/acqnet/acqnet-v7n023 ISSN: 1057-5308 *************** ACQNET, Vol. 7, No. 23, June 21, 1997 ======================================= (1) FROM: P. Wallace (2 postings) SUBJECT: Updates on Hawaii Outsourcing (161 lines) (2) FROM: C. Ellicott & B. Fast (2 postings) SUBJECT: RE: Login supplying Mosby (43 lines) (3) FROM: M. Smith SUBJECT: OP Dealers (16 lines) (1)--------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Sun, 08 Jun 1997 02:30:02 -0400 (EDT) From: Pat Wallace Subject: Hawaii Outsourcing Update Here is a summary of the current situation in Hawaii. [Ed. note: Original post has been edited for brevity] The Hawaii legislature passed legislation calling for an audit of the State Librarians Office for the past two years and specifically funds pertaining to the outsourcing contract with Baker & Taylor: SCR 171 (Senate Concurrent Resolution 171): Requests that the state auditor do an audit of HSPLS' finances, and management (including the contract w/Baker & Taylor). This is not a bill, and does not require that the Governor sign it. Marion Higa, the state auditor, is compelled to do an audit of HSPLS, once she receives a copy of this. The legislation includes a requirement that the state auditor visit all the branch libraries and talk with the librarians to obtain information for the audit. The legislature also passed Senate Bill 538: The purpose of this bill is to require the Board of Education to take action to ensure the formal involvement of the State's public service librarians in the selection of books and other library materials. Specifically, this measure authorizes public service librarians to select library resources upon the termination of any outsourcing contract in effect on July 1, 1997. Until that time, this bill requires the Board of Education to ensure the formal involvement of public service librarians in the selection of library resources. The Governor may veto this bill, but has given no indication of his intention to do so. He has until June 19th to decide. In late February, the Hawaii Board of Education, which oversees the State Library System (HSPLS), evaluates the State Library Director, and approves contracts signed by the HSPLS, appointed an 8-member Blue-Ribbon Panel of lawyers, business leaders, academicians and two branch directors to hold a series of hearings to review complaints about the execution of the library outsourcing contract. The two major local papers in Hawaii announced that the panel would recommend termination of the contract. The panel is expected to release its findings at its June 19th meeting. It's possible Baker & Taylor may challenge the state's decision and possibly sue the state. The board will make a decision by June 30, when an annual review of the contract is scheduled. For full text of article summarized above, go to: http://starbulletin.com/today/news/index.html Honolulu Star-Bulletin--Wednesday, June 4, 1997 "End Books Contract? BOE Cautious---An investigatory panel says drop it, so Knudsen will seek legal advice" By Debra Barayuga In addition to everything above, the League of Women Voters was commissioned by a group of library employees to conduct a confidence/no confidence poll. The group, called the Coalition for Improved Libraries, is an ad hoc statewide group of concerned library employees.The coalition's purpose is to provide a safe venue for all library employees to express their view of current library management. Approximately 490 ballots were distributed, including to 145 non-management librarians. The rest were to Library aides, technicians, all support staff, personnel, accounting, and janitorial staff. The results will go to the Board of Education. Ballots bearing a single statement: "I have confidence/no confidence in the management of State Librarian Bart Kane."... were distributed on March 13th. Recipients were all asked to send their ballots in stamped, pre-addressed envelopes to the local chapter of the League of Women Voters by May 20 ... The League recently certified the results and faxed them to members of the Coalition for Improved Libraries ... The group will give the results to the State Board of Education, which oversees Kane's position, at an their meeting on June 19th. Formal announcement has been postponed because Bart Kane, State Librarian, conveniently left town on vacation on May 22 and will not return until around June 15th. However, a member of the coalition e-mailed me this message late Thursday, June 5th: Results: 84.0% Returned the ballots 81.5% No Confidence 17.0% Confidence 1.5% Returned ballots without voting On June 19th, the BOE is scheduled to: *Receive the official recommendations of the Blue Ribbon Panel *Receive the report of the Coalition for Improved Libraries on the results of the confidence/no confidence ballot *Review the job performance of Bart Kane, State Librarian Final recommendations of the Board of Education regarding what to do about the Outsourcing contract and whether or not to renew Mr. Kane's contract are due by June 30th. Whatever action the BOE decides to take regarding the Baker & Taylor contract will probably be taken at their June 19th meeting since the end of the fiscal year is June 30th and they are required to give a 10 day notice to B&T. Notice arriving later than June 29th would lead to an implied renewal of contract. I will keep you advised of the ultimate outcome. ================================================================= Date: Wed, 11 Jun 1997 23:03:27 -0400 (EDT) From: Pat Wallace Subject: Hawaii Union Sues BOE, B&T, & Kane MORE NEWS RE HAWAII OUTSOURCING CONTRACT The Press Release and comments below were sent to me last night by a reference librarian in the Hawaii State Library. This is the text of the HGEA press release dated 9 June 1997: HGEA FILES CLASS-ACTION LAWSUIT ON BEHALF OF STATE LIBRARY EMPLOYEES The Hawaii Government Employees Association, AFSCME Local 152, AFL-CIO, today filed a class-action lawsuit in the First Circuit Court of the State of Hawaii against the Board of Education, State Librarian Bart Kane and Baker & Taylor, Inc. The lawsuit, which is on behalf of employees of the 49 state libraries, is in conjunction with the recent Konno v. County of Hawaii decision, which upheld the civil service system and ruled that government cannot privatize nor contract out civil service jobs without specific legal authorization. In the suit, HGEA requests the court terminate and nullify the contract between the Hawaii State Public Library System and Baker & Taylor. HGEA alleges the defendants' unlawful privatization of public services in the library system has: *produced an inefficient process for the selection, acquisition, cataloging, technical process, and distribution of library books and materials, which is neither responsive to the needs and wants of library patrons nor in the public interest; *generated substantial morale problems among library employees; *threatened the job security of employees in the state library system; *caused the unlawful expenditure of public monies and resources; and *produced the improper assumption of liabilities contrary to public laws and policies. Jodi Endo Chai Communications Specialist HGEA/AFSCME Phone: (808) 543-0029 *********************************************************** For more information about the HGEA lawsuit go to: http://starbulletin.com/today/news/index.html Honolulu Star-Bulletin, Tuesday, June 10, 1997 "HGEA Sues to Void Book-Buyer Contract-- The union says that job has long been handled by Hawaii civil servants" *********************************************************** Patricia Wallace Chair, Hawaii Working Group American Library Association Social Responsibilities Round Table Alternatives in Print Task Force (2)--------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Tue Jun 10 09:59:40 1997 From: Chris Ellicott (Login Brothers) Subject: RE: Mosby While I appreciate the correspondence about Login Brothers in your list, there has been some miscommunication about our policy on supplying Mosby titles to libraries. I would like to provide clarification on this policy. Mosby, Inc. decided for corporate reasons to discontinue their contract for bookstore suppliers as of February 1, 1997. Within the terms of our new contract, Login Brothers Book Company is continuing as a library vendor for supply of Mosby products. Our library customers are able to order the full range of Mosby print and electronic products through Login Brothers at their regular discounts. Login continues to inventory and stock Mosby product for purchase by our library and institutional accounts. Login Brothers remains committed to providing the best service available to the library community on all of the health science and related titles we handle, including Mosby. I apologize for any inaccuracy on our behalf which caused the confusion about our policy and I welcome any inquiries about Login's services. Chris Ellicott, MSLS Director of Institutional Marketing Login Brothers Book Company 800/680-2889 ================================================================ Date: Wed, 11 Jun 1997 09:52:52 -0400 From: Barry Fast (Academic Book Center) Subject: RE: More on Login Brothers and Mosby Since my last posting on the issue of Login Brothers distribution of Mosby titles I have learned that Login is continuing to stock Mosby for sales to libraries and individuals, but not to bookstores. This means that librarians can get the same excellent service they were receiving from Login on Mosby titles. Barry Fast Vice President Academic Book Center 800-326-3080 (3)---------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Mon, 16 Jun 1997 09:25:44 -0700 (PDT) From: Margit Smith (Univ. of San Diego) Subject: OP dealers [Ed. note: Check the ACQNET archives from AcqWeb: http://www.library.venderbilt.edu/law/acqs/acqs.html ] Does anyone have a recommendation for OP dealers that include imprints from Europe, Asia, Africa and the Americas, excluding the U.S.? Thanks to all who will respond. Margit Margit J. Smith, Asst. Prof. Head of Technical Services E-mail: mjps@acusd.edu Copley Library, University of San Diego Phone: (619) 260-2365 5998 Alcala Park, San Diego, CA 92110 Fax: (619) 260-4617 ****** END OF FILE ****** ACQNET, V.7, No.23 ****** END OF FILE ******