LSSI Seeks Increase for Outsourced Library in Fargo

-- Library Journal, 08/22/2002

Does outsourcing a library save money or increase costs? Library Systems and Services Inc. (LSSI), which manages the Fargo Public Library, ND, has asked for a 32 percent increase in funding next year--a total of $2.1 million, while Mayor Bruce Furness has proposed a $1.8 million budget. LSSI's Tom Hehman told the Fargo Forum that the contract still is in negotiation and the mayor said the city was not dissatisfied with the LSSI's work. But library board president Betty Kerns, who also praised LSSI, said that if the company won't bend on the budget, "I think we could move forward without them."