News

By Rich Pollack

    With their library in transition following the departure of its longtime director, Highland Beach town leaders hope to find out more about a private company that manages libraries for communities across the country.
    During a Florida League of Cities conference in Orlando last month, several Highland Beach commissioners met briefly with a representative of Library Systems and Services Inc., which manages about 80 libraries nationwide.
    Vice Mayor Bill Weitz and Commissioner Lou Stern told other members of the commission that they would be in favor of inviting LSSI to visit Highland Beach so they could find out more about what the company offers. “We know very little about this company but when we have options, we should look at all the data,” Weitz said.  “Right now we’re just in the data collection mode.”
    Tim Buckley, a spokesman for LSSI, said the Maryland-based company was founded by experienced librarians in 1997 to help government agencies operate their libraries efficiently and effectively.
    “They saw there was a better way of doing it,” Buckley said.
    Because LSSI operates several libraries, Buckley said, the firm can save money on books, software and other expenses through economies of scale. He added that the firm also has experienced library managers who can use their knowledge to help libraries best meet the needs of their residents.
    While LSSI runs the day-to-day operation of the libraries it manages, Buckley said key decisions continue to be made at the local government level.
    He said that any discussions with Highland Beach officials would also be an opportunity for LSSI to determine if working with the town would make sense for the company.
    “It needs to be the right fit,” he said.
    Weitz said that should the town see potential in partnering with LSSI, he would then seek input from library users and other residents.
    Both Weitz and Stern said they’re pleased with the job interim Library Director Suzi Hayes is doing.
    Since taking over the position in June, Hayes has instituted a new electronic cataloging system for new books and is preparing a survey to determine what programs and services residents would like to see at the library.
    Hayes, along with Town Manager Beverly Brown and Town Attorney Glen Torcivia, also is working on crafting a policy to address outside vendors who offer classes at the library.
    Vendors offering programs, such as yoga classes, had been paid directly by class members. The town is looking into liability issues and into the possibility of a more structured system.