Outsourcing An Webcast Monday, October 15, 2007 12:00 noon to 1:00 p.m. Presenters: Nancy Johnson and Mark Smith [email protected] and [email protected] Infopeople webcasts are supported by the.
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Transcript Outsourcing An Webcast Monday, October 15, 2007 12:00 noon to 1:00 p.m. Presenters: Nancy Johnson and Mark Smith [email protected] and [email protected] Infopeople webcasts are supported by the.
Outsourcing
An
Webcast
Monday, October 15, 2007
12:00 noon to 1:00 p.m.
Presenters: Nancy Johnson and Mark Smith
[email protected] and [email protected]
Infopeople webcasts are supported by the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library
Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act,
administered in California by the State Librarian.
Agenda
Definitions and overview
History of Riverside County
Library System
Outsourcing Fact and Fiction
How Outsourcing Works
Outsourcing overview
Definition of “Outsourcing”
Why consider outsourcing
Who provides outsourcing services
Factors to consider
How to outsource functions
History of Riverside County
First and largest—why did they do it?
Library Systems and Services in Riverside
Previously managed by City of Riverside
Reasons for outsourcing
RCLS Steps to Outsourcing
RFP issued early 1997
Three entities responded
Evaluation of bids
Why was LSSI chosen
In business since 1981
Maximum service for the dollar
Financially secure
Other providers
Library Associates
OCLC for many library services
Automation vendors for ASP solutions
Book jobbers for technical services
Temporary agencies
Consultants and search firms
Concerns
Widespread concerns
Job
security
Concerns about salary and benefits
Level of staffing
Availability of library services
Local control
Concerns with merchandizing
Myth # 1: Privatization
Outsourced
Publicly
libraries are…
funded
Publicly governed
Public policies
A public library
Myth # 2: Loss of local control
Outsourced
libraries are…
Accountable
on an annual basis
Highly scrutinized
Fully auditable
Valued for offering greater local control
Myth # 3: No librarians
Outsourced libraries are…
Librarians
doing library work
72 MLS staff in LSSI
Rehired former staff
Myth # 4: Limited services
Outsourced
libraries offer…
Programming
Interlibrary
loan services
Reference and information services
Literacy
Outreach
Myth # 5: Low Wages
Outsourced libraries…
Hire
at market rate
Hire former salary
100% filled on the West Coast
Wages driven by contract
Provide annual (merit based) increases
Myth # 6: No Benefits
Outsourced libraries offer. . .
Full
range of benefits
Part-time benefits
No pension, but 401K
Then how DOES it work?
“How do you people make any money!?”
Efficiencies
Valuing
and rewarding creativity
Economies of scale
Seeking plural funding
Building long-term relationships
Looking for Efficiencies
Eliminate wasteful practices
Emphasize public services
Minimize “back room” operations
Use Automated solutions
Motivating Staff
“Working smarter” encouraged
Staff cross-trained
Creativity and motivation rewarded
Customer service
Training and continuing education
Professional involvement
Economies of Scale
Centralized support for
Automation
Human resources
Accounting
Collection development
Management consultation
Seeking “Plural Funding”
Outside funding through:
Grants
Concessions
Donations and bequests
Memberships
10 years of progress in RCLS
18
new libraries
Increased hours
$2 million+ in grants
Increased staffing
Book budget ten-fold increase
New Programs
Early
literacy
ESL classes
Inland Library Network
Award-winning Latino outreach
Author programs
Staff development day
Satisfied Customers
Public
Friends
of libraries
Staff
The
Board of Supervisors
Making it Work
Riverside County Lessons:
Oversight and due diligence
Transparent record keeping
County policies
Partnership
Conclusions
Not the norm
It has worked in RCLS
Viable option in some places
Can bring stability
Come visit!