[Publib] RE: Charging for Programs

[Joe McKenzie]

Sana: We do charge for quite a few classes organized by the library as part of our Community Learning and Skill Sharing (CLASS) program. We have a full time coordinator and pay our instructors and pay for their supplies. Our income is $25-30,000 per year. Lifelong Learning is part of our mission and this is a good way to deliver on it. We
recently bought a former dance studio across the street to house this program and it is going well. We offer 50-70 classes per semester, some with multiple sessions. Costs average just under $30 per class. We get a small grant from the local Community Foundation to offer scholarships for those who cannot afford to pay the fee. The community is very supportive, as this adds real learning opportunities, adds to the quality of life in a busy, active city. We have an Advisory Board who help give direction. Policies are kept simple, but involve enrollment, when fees need to be paid, refunds, cancellations, scholarships, instructor stipends, class fees.We are a member of LERN, the Learning Resources Network, and staff have attended their training workshops and conference. Some classes are held in other community locations. We like those connections and value our relationships with instructors, who feel connected to the library. Here's a link to the info on our website: http://www.salpublib.org/Class/index.asp
 
Joe McKenzie
Library Director
Salina Public Library
Salina, Ks.
joemcken at salpublib.org <mailto:joemcken at salpublib.org> 
785-825-4624
 
Message: 8
Date: Wed, 2 Apr 2008 10:19:12 -0400
From: <smoulder at nc.rr.com>
Subject: [Publib] Charging for programs
To: publib at webjunction.org
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        <7474124.633701207145953006.JavaMail.root at cdptpa-web23-z02>
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Dear Collective Brain,

Beth started something with this request. I've been putting out feelers about charging for programs to my library's administration. I would like to begin offering more crafting classes, and would like to charge a kit fee (to cover the cost of materials). The instruction would still be free. I know from Google searches that other library systems are doing this, and I wonder if they would be willing to share any paperwork (policies, research, etc.) they have accumulated that I can use to bolster my argument/plead my case.

Thanks in advance for your usual happily-shared wisdom and experience,

Sana Moulder, LA II
Cumberland County Public Library
Fayetteville NC 28304
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