Outsourcing and Privatization in Libraries
Definitions and Related ALA Policies on Outsourcing
Definitions
Definitions are still being further developed (see immediately above):
These definitions and acknowledgement were included by the ALA Outsourcing Task Force in their report to the ALA Council (CD#24 1998-1999, "Outsourcing & Privatization in American Libraries"):, but
- Outsourcing is the contracting to external companies or organizations, functions that would otherwise be performed by library employees.
- Privatization is 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.
- Core services are those professional activities that define the profession of librarianship. These include collection development and organization; gathering and providing information; making the collection accessible to all library users; providing assistance in use of the collection; and providing oversight and management of these activities.
It is acknowledged that the distinction between the terms "outsourcing" and "privatization" are not exact and are subject to arbitrary interpretations. Within the context of this report, the Task Force has utilized the term "outsourcing" for contracting for specific services; and the term "privatization" when the responsibility for day-to-day managment of a library or for establishing or altering policies that affect the delivery of service, is delegated to an external commercial agency.
Additional definitions are offered in ALA Proposal on Outsourcing and Privatization.
Related ALA Policies on Outsourcing
Outsourcing & Privatization in American Libraries, CD#24, 1998-1999. This report to the ALA Council was written by the ALA Outsourcing Task Force, LaDonna T. Kienitz, chair. Included in this report is a list of related ALA policies on Outsourcing.
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