[Publib] Non-Resident use

[Steve Benson]

The philosophy of free access to all library services for all is noble
but economic realities can't be ignored.  Libraries are not really
free because somewhere there are sources of revenue that make them
possible.

Imagine Town A with a wonderful well funded library.  Neighboring Town
B has decided to save the expense of a library.  In fact, they have
also decided that the budget savings will be used for an economic
development fund to offer incentives to businesses considering setting
up in Town B.  Town A is often in competition with Town B for these
businesses.  This scenario is not so far fetched.

Is it wrong for Town A to charge residents of Town B a library use
fee?  I'd offer that it would be a very reasonable choice.  This
illustrates to me that the debate is not black/white, right/wrong.
There is always a possibility of economic realities entering into the
mix that can't be ignored and that influence policy decisions.  Where
this leads to is a continuum of appropriate choices defined by the
unique circumstances faced by any particular library.


On 10/20/09, Bob Watson <librarybob at gmail.com> wrote:
> There are various types of non-resident use.  Non-equal funding is the
> cause of one type of restriction ... with libraries restricting the
> residents of neighboring libraries not only because they place a
> burden on one's own taxpayer's resources, but also in the hope that
> those individuals will then support increased tax levies at home.
>
> Some years ago, when directing a different library, I was called and
> thanked by the director of an adjacent library who was fighting for
> increased funding.
>
> States vary.  This is an Illinois experience, where state support is
> minimal, no county support exists (except for "county" libraries), and
> all special-use districts are tied to property taxes.
>
> Bob Watson
> Director
> Lake Villa District Library
> Lake Villa, IL
>
>
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-- 
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Steve Benson