HUNTINGTON BEACH Central Library (Flickr/cclark395).

A controversial plan to have a private company assume control of the city’s library services may advance before the Huntington Beach City Council when it meets on Tuesday.

The council will consider whether to reject the proposal for “managed library services” for the city’s five libraries at its 6 p.m. meeting.

According to the agenda, the council may either reject proposals or begin negotiations and “continue the meet and confer process with labor groups. Direct staff to return to the city council for consideration of the potential agreement.”

City documents show four prospective bidders which include:

• David Rebd of Huntington Beach;
• Deltek of Herndon, Virginia;
• EveryLibrary Institute NFP, Illinois;
• Library Systems & Services, Riverside, California.

The idea of “outsourcing” management has been supported by the conservative majority of the council, which has also placed restrictions on the availability of library material with some sexual content, limiting it to those 18 and over, without parental permission. Supporters of privatization claim it will save the city money/

Two groups have been circulating petitions to put the concept before the electorate; a survey of about 400 voters by Orange County labor unions claims that 67 percent opposed the concept with 17 percent in favor.

Huntington Beach library employees are represented by the Teamsters’ Union.

Also on the agenda is an affordable housing agreement for a residential development  of 13 affordable townhomes at 7225 Edinger Ave.m between Goldenwest and Gothard streets.

The council will meet in its chamber at 2000 Main St. (at Yorktown Avenue).