Telethon aims to raise $100,000 in six hours for Nevada County libraries

Photo by Bob Lickter The Nevada County Board of Supervisors are expected to consider a proposal that would outsource the management of the county's library system.

“We’re doing this for two reasons,” said Lew Sitzer, who is coordinating the telethon that will be broadcast on NCTV. “We want the library to be local, to be run by local folks and we want the supervisors to know there’s a lot of public interest in keeping the control here.”

Two organizations are holding a six-hour TV telethon on Saturday, Feb. 20, to raise $100,000 for the libraries and to show support for the current management of the Nevada County Library system.

“We’re doing this for two reasons,” said Lew Sitzer, who is coordinating the telethon that will be broadcast on NCTV. “We want the library to be local, to be run by local folks and we want the supervisors to know there’s a lot of public interest in keeping the control here.”

Nevada County requested and is now entertaining a proposal by a private company to manage the public library system. Assistant CEO Laura Matteson says shrinking sales tax receipts for the libraries, now estimated at $500,000 for the upcoming fiscal year, led to the decision to consider outsourcing.

There’s been widespread opposition to the plan since the board of supervisors agreed to seek proposals for outsourcing. The Library Citizens Oversight Committee has also rejected the plan of Library System and Services of Germantown, Md., the only company to submit a proposal.

The Friends of the Nevada County Libraries and NCTV are producing the telethon that goes from 3 to 9 p.m. this Saturday. It will include readings from poets, live music and prizes for contributors.

It can be seen on Comcast channel 11, Suddenlink channel 16 or simulcast live at www.nevadacountytv.org.

Matteson said supervisors could consider the outsourcing proposal at their Feb. 23 meeting.