"You Call it A Rental Fee. I Call it a Fine"

This just enrages me. Barry Greenfield, a “selectman” writing for the Atlantic, proposes that we initiate a “rental fee” for public libraries.

Gah! Just what Americans need: more barricades between citizens and decent educational pursuits. I am particularly galled by is repeated assertion that libraries haven’t changed since the 1900s. He even suggests that each library start up “a small café” to “earn revenue.” Clearly, he is confusing libraries (where the most disenfranchised among us can get reliable information and entertainment) with Starbucks (where you can spend your expendable income on an overpriced latte with whip cream). I suspect the author hasn’t stepped inside a real live public library since he was just old enough to rent from the adult section. He says he has, but I am, nonetheless, skeptical.

The chagrinned commentators, among them many actual librarians, make Greenfield’s article worth reading. They almost unanimously tear him a new one. Here are a couple of my favorites; they had me shouting, “A-DUUUUUH” at the computer screen and overclicking the “like” button.

Margiedee: Sure, let's screw the people who are trying to better themselves, improve their lot in life, or contribute to society by reading books, newspapers and magazines. Let's charge them to do so. You call it a rental fee. I call it a fine or tax. It makes no sense! The public library was created and is publcally funded so that all people would have the opportunity to learn and to improve their lot in life - not just those who could afford to buy or "rent" books. And where did you get the idea that the library hasn't changed in the past 100 years? Hello? Have you heard of computers and have you noticed them in the library? How about DVD rentals, ebooks, playaways? If you want to raise revenues in your town, find another way to do it. Increase the tax on cigarettes and liquor - they serve no purpose in bettering society, and raise all of our insurance premiums. Stay away from libraries!

Gwen Ryan: Speaking as a librarian, we get a lot of underprivileged patrons, especially ones looking to use the computers. Also, considering the recent economic downturn and the bursting of the credit bubble, there are a lot of people who are going through difficult financial times because they have a high debt-to-income ratio. Since food stamps are determined based on income without taking into account debt, these people would not qualify for food stamps and yet still not be in a position to pay for library services.

But even more than that, charging a fee for some users but not for others would violate one of the core values of libraries: "All information resources that are provided directly or indirectly by the library, regardless of technology, format, or methods of delivery, should be readily, equally, and equitably accessible to all library users." http://www.ala.org/ala/aboutal...