Although Escondido had successfully operated for 100 years, in 2017 the City Council voted to contract it out to a private corporation for profit (LS&S) with a no-bid contract (Diaz and Morasco voting no). Now, a 2-year extension is proposed on consent calendar on the 12/17/2025 meeting which is completely unacceptable.

Many may not know the controversy over the outsourcing of our public library. Thousands of residents signed petitions and this action was the subject of several packed room hearings. Here is a detailing of that time https://www.escondidoindivisible.com/2017/07/24/on-the-issue-escondido-public-library-privatization/ and https://www.escondidolibrarywatchdog.org/

Ironically, the one issue that they seemed to think was compelling was that LSS could provide us was a library open on Sundays. However, a short way into the contract, the library closed on Sundays. And still, the library is not open on Sundays. Even that promise was not kept.

On Wednesday we will make the request that this item be withdrawn from the consent agenda and a public discussion be scheduled for next year. There is no reason or need to continue to allow corporations to profit from our public asset—our precious library.

This is a critically important community issue. This item must be tabled and scheduled for the full public discussion it deserves.

Please attend and speak in support if you can. You can also file a written comment here. (12/17/2025, #14)

Meeting will be held at 201 N. Broadway at City Hall Council Chambers, beginning at 5 pm.