Poll: Should Libraries Charge Fees for 'Popular' Books?
In a declining economy and time when libraries are closing their doors, is it acceptable to charge patrons to read books?
When I stopped in the Newport Public Library Monday afternoon to pick up a book I ordered online, I was surprised when the librarian told me they had the book — for a small fee.
The Newport and Middletown libraries, as well as a number of other libraries throughout the state, have been charging patrons a small fee for newly-released "popular" books. (It is unknown if the Portsmouth Free Public Library charges for books.)
The book I ordered, Stephen King's "The Wind Through The Keyhole," would cost me 25 cents per day if I rented it. I could add my name to the waiting list, but there were already 34 holds on it.
I agreed to pay the costs, but it made think about public services and libraries.
In a time when more and more libraries are closing their doors, like the Anne Ide Fuller and Rumford Branch Libraries in East Providence, does it make sense to charge fees for public services? Even Benjamin Franklin, who is credited with founding the first lending library in this country, sold "shares" to borrow literature.
I posted this question on Portsmouth Patch's Facebook page late Monday afternoon. Here's what a few users had to say:
Mary Beaudoin Alexandre: Barrington Public library has been doing this for years
Julie Barrett: and also several libraries in RI have closed, as of friday. i just need to set up a box outside my house, put books i've read from the publishers in it, and let others know, come by and exchange for some you've read.
Donna Nathlar Barone: That's weird....I'm pretty sure it's called Portsmouth Free Library for a reason.
Chris Redfern Carceller: year after year, our town council gives our library the minimum amount it needs to get matching funds from the state. They need more than they get, so maybe our town needs to give more or people need to donate more so all books are rent free. Just a thought.
What do you think about this? Should libraries charge a fee to rent out books? Tell us in the poll and comment section below!
In This article
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Newport Public Library
300 Spring St, Newport, RI -
Portsmouth Free Public Library
2658 E Main Rd, Portsmouth, RI
Sanne Kure-Jensen
8:23 am on Tuesday, May 1, 2012
I don't have a problem with this at all. The rental book practice encourages people who check out new, popular books to return them quickly making the books available sooner for other patrons. One added benefit is that the library doesn't have to purchase as many copies making smart use of limited financial resources.
Carolyn Magnus
10:13 am on Tuesday, May 1, 2012
Portsmouth Free Public Library has had a rental collection of best sellers for longer than I have been working at the Library (13+ years). The collection was started as a way to provide the best sellers quickly to our patrons rather than wait for their turn on a holds list with other patrons from all over the state and has certainly has nothing to do with the economy. If our library patrons can read the best seller of their choice from this small collection (only 30 books), it is far less expensive for them than buying the book. The first day is free and the following days are 25¢ each. This service is not a great source of income for the Library as most patrons read their books in four days or less. - Carolyn Magnus, Director
NKA
3:08 pm on Tuesday, May 1, 2012
Having a fee for copies of best-sellers does not mean that you MUST pay to check them out. There are two separate sets of copies for high demand books, one or two copies that are in the "regular" collection, and can be checked out for free - but there is a waiting list. The other set is rental copies, specially purchased and which by definition can be rented for a small fee. The rental fee is not income for the library; it simply covers the cost of having those extra copies so that patrons don't have to wait if they are willing to pay a small fee. When the demand dies off, the rental copies are sold at whatever price the library can get for used books.
Alan Corcoran
10:28 am on Thursday, May 3, 2012
This explanation makes complete sense. Thank you for providing this important detail.
Cher Armstrong
6:39 pm on Tuesday, May 1, 2012
They should be free, and politicians need to wake up and realize the importance of education and the various other services libraries have to offer