Public libraries in New South Wales have threatened to charge for services if they don't get more funding. Library users continually say they want more books and more book-based programs, but would a fee-for-service be too high a price to pay for improved resources?You can listen to the whole program on the Book Show web site, however, the conclusions drawn were that,
The majority view has been that libraries are an incredibly valuable community resource, that they deserve better treatment from government - and that forcing library users to pay for services would be a retrograde step.We think we provide a valuable community service and we'd love to be able to provide all our services for free but in this environment of ever decreasing funding we'd love to know where our community think we should be focusing our attention and budget.
What services should remain untouched? Are there things we should be doing that we aren't? Are there any services libraries provide for which a charge would be acceptable?
Let me make this clear - we are not proposing to charge for services that we currently provide for free. Indeed the 2008/2009 schedule of fees and charges has been sent to Council and will soon be available on the Sutherland Shire Council web site.
Rather, we want YOU to tell US what you think a public library should provide for the community. Leave your reaction and have your say.
3 Reactions:
The role of a community library is to ensure that every citizen has free access to books and other information resources. Every community benefits from such a valuable resource as a Public Library. Egalitarian access to free literature and information is really a corner stone feature of vibrant western democracies. Public Libraries benefit the nation and therefore funding should be provided by the federal government. It will be a sad day for society should the role of Public Libraries be diminished or cease.
With lessening financial support for libraries it almost seems inevitable that libraries charge for basic services, although there will be the inevitable uproar and beatup from the public and media. The majority of us have lived with the largely free and excellent service libraries can provide and while the service is still outstanding, especially considering what our public librarians do with so little and the amount of information and assistance they provide to a sometimes unappreciative public, it would indeed be sad to think of anything that would contribute to a negative outlook on libraries or discourage the public from using such an amazing community resource.
That said, I would pay for library services given the quality of the overall service and that even the services that attract a charge now are very minor in cost.
Unfortunately, in todays Society...The User pays - I personally do not have a problem with paying for the use of the Library. A Fee could be charged per book or an Annual Membership Fee (for Singles & Family's). Purchasing Books today is almost a luxury, the cost is excessive and once read the book just sits on the shelf collecting dust. A Library offers Readers the opportunity to read literally thousands of Books, not to mention 'Inter Library' borrowing for 'a nominal fee'. So I am in total agreement that a Fee is acceptable. One specific group benefit from Libraries that is the reader. I love the fact I can go online and order books and also check what new books are on order - so I can get my name on the list early. I would also like to commend the Staff at Sutherland, Sylvania and Miranda Libraries. They are always obliging and helpful. The world could not survive without books, they can take you into another persons life, or into a fantasy world, science fiction, to other countries......it is endless what a book can do and all you have to do is sit in a chair and it all just happens.........in your mind.
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