Comments on: Are Library Rental Fees Undemocratic?

By: Melbourne on my mind

Melbourne on my mind — Sun, 27 May 2012 07:18:40 +0000

I’m torn on this idea. As a patron, it would be great to pay a dollar and have ready access to a book rather than paying $25 to buy it myself. But as a MLIS student, rental collections seem potentially troublesome.

Having visited a subscription library here in Melbourne as part of my course, it seems that public libraries would have to be careful to remain truly public or potentially face ire from their patrons.

Still, considering my local library charges 35c per overdue item per day, 25c per day for popular new items seems like a pretty good deal!

By: Rima

Rima — Wed, 16 May 2012 16:24:15 +0000

Pet peeve: it’s “Hear, hear,” not “Here, here.”

By: Joneser

Joneser — Tue, 15 May 2012 20:05:08 +0000

Then you aren’t talking about a public library, supported with taxpayer money. You’re talking about a membership, subscription library.

By: elena schneider

elena schneider — Mon, 14 May 2012 22:19:57 +0000

I hate those people in the airport security line who jump the queue, because they have extra cash (but are also giving away a lot of private information). Book rentals are definitely undemocratic, but seriously, is this country democratic? I think not.

By: Joneser

Joneser — Mon, 14 May 2012 20:26:17 +0000

A fundamental question is whether rental programs recoup the costs, or is any financial support coming out of the library’s materials budget.

By: Joneser

Joneser — Mon, 14 May 2012 20:25:23 +0000

We just started one, but the titles are bought by the Friends and there is no rental fee involved. No holds, no renewals (2 week checkout). We can’t buy enough copies of popular titles so these LD books, once the demand is down, will be integrated into the collection (condition warranting).

By: Joneser

Joneser — Mon, 14 May 2012 20:23:12 +0000

Yes.

By: joyce

joyce — Sun, 13 May 2012 18:34:59 +0000

At the library I go to in Michigan they have a “lucky day” collection for popular books. You rent it for about 2 weeks with no renewals allowed. Other than that there is no charge. I have waited for a long time for a book. I see nothing wrong with waiting. It might help our national character of wanting immediate gratification.

By: Steve Benson

Steve Benson — Sat, 12 May 2012 20:51:58 +0000

I would strongly disagree. Nothing wrong with a national dialog but my community wants to define our library at the local level.

By: Cut Both Ways

Cut Both Ways — Sat, 12 May 2012 19:33:07 +0000

Jean, after looking at your report on Dollar General micro grants, I feel grateful that my application for a summer reading grant was denied. Time and effort were better spent elsewhere. Thanks for reporting.