HomeIntellectual Freedom Toolkits Outsourcing and Privatization in American Libraries ALA Policy

Background to Privatization of Publicly Funded Libraries (ALA Policy 52.7)

1999 ALA Midwinter Meeting

Council voted to adopt these motions:

VOTED, To adopt Outsourcing Task Force (OTF) Motion #1, which read: "ALA reaffirms the following fundamental values of libraries in the context of discussing outsourcing and privatization of library services. These values include: (1998-99 CD#24.1, Motion #1)

1. That libraries are an essential public good and are fundamental institutions in democratic societies;
2. That intellectual freedom is a basic democratic privilege, and that ALA defends the right of library users to read, seek information and speak freely, as guaranteed by the First Amendment; and
3. That any outsourcing activities in libraries must be compatible with ALA advocacy of policies that support libraries as democratic institutions serving people of all ages, income levels and races, and providing the range of information resources needed to live, learn, govern and work."

VOTED, To adopt OTF, Motion #2, as amended to read: "The respective ALA units should be encouraged to develop decision-making guidelines for libraries and jurisdictions at the local level, specifically that divisions, with input from appropriate units such as round tables, develop policies and standards to assist local libraries addressing outsourcing and privatization issues." (1998-99 CD#24.1, Motion # 2)

VOTED, To adopt OTF, Motion #3, which read: "That the Intellectual Freedom Committee is directed to review Council Documents 24 and 24.1 and determine appropriate action." (1998-99 CD#24.1, Motion #3)

VOTED, That OTF Motion #4 be referred to BARC for consideration of the financial implications with a request that BARC bring back a report to Council no later than the beginning of 1999 Annual Conference. (1998-99 CD#24.1, Motion #4)

DEFEATED, OTF Motion #5 as amended to read: "That ALA adopts the following policy stated: "ALA opposes the shifting of policy-making and the management of library services or the responsibility for the performance of core library services in their entirety from the public to the private sector." (1998-99 CD#24.1, Motion #5)

DEFEATED, OTF Motion #6, which read: "ALA adopts the following policy statement: "Outsourcing of specific services or tasks by libraries shall be undertaken only when the quality of these services can be assured and the fundamental values of librarianship are not compromised." (1998-99 CD#24.1, Motion #6)

2000 ALA Annual Conference

Council also voted to adopt these motions:

VOTED, To adopt the above motion as amended, which read: "That Council receive CD#59, The Impact of Outsourcing and Privatization on Library Services and Management, and that the ALA president identify appropriate mechanism for: (1) bringing together guidelines developed by divisions and committees and making them broadly available to be reviewed for elements of values; and (2) develop definitions of outsourcing as a management tool versus privatization and report back.

VOTED, That the ALA, working collaboratively with other appropriate agencies, should encourage and foster further research into the impact of outsourcing and privatization on library services and management. (CD#59, The Impact of Outsourcing and Privatization on Library Services and Management).

Privatization of Publicly Funded Libraries (ALA Policy 52.7)

2001 ALA Annual Conference

The ALA Executive Board submitted to Council its Recommendation on Privatization of Publicy Funded Libraries, which was based on the memorandum distributed by Bishoff and Reed. The ALA Council voted to adopt the following policy statement concerning privatization:

“ALA affirms that publicly funded libraries should remain directly accountable to the publics they serve. Therefore, the American Library Association opposes the shifting of policy making and management oversight of library services from the public to the private for-profit sector.”

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