Comments on: Library Disappointment http://detroit.metblogs.com/2006/03/29/library-disappointment/ Thu, 21 May 2009 21:13:41 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.6 hourly 1 By: Biblioidiotecque http://detroit.metblogs.com/2006/03/29/library-disappointment/comment-page-1/#comment-1812 Biblioidiotecque Thu, 06 Apr 2006 19:51:41 +0000 http://detroit.metblogs.com/2006/03/29/library-disappointment/#comment-1812 Just a note, it's not that uncommon for libraries to charge for certain multimedia items like videos. They have a higher theft rate, so charging a nominal fee helps maintain an "insurance" pool of funds, and it also deters the casual irresponsible user from checking them out and never returning them by paying up front. It's not unlike a user fee at park: your taxes cover the basic operations of the park but your entry covers your use and the maintenance that goes along with it. The library is greatly underfunded, as contrasted with some more fortunate suburban libraries that have dedicated millages and strong donations. So keep using the library, and hound your legislators and councilpersons to better fund it! Just a note, it’s not that uncommon for libraries to charge for certain multimedia items like videos. They have a higher theft rate, so charging a nominal fee helps maintain an “insurance” pool of funds, and it also deters the casual irresponsible user from checking them out and never returning them by paying up front.

It’s not unlike a user fee at park: your taxes cover the basic operations of the park but your entry covers your use and the maintenance that goes along with it.

The library is greatly underfunded, as contrasted with some more fortunate suburban libraries that have dedicated millages and strong donations. So keep using the library, and hound your legislators and councilpersons to better fund it!

]]> By: Tom http://detroit.metblogs.com/2006/03/29/library-disappointment/comment-page-1/#comment-1811 Tom Mon, 03 Apr 2006 13:08:41 +0000 http://detroit.metblogs.com/2006/03/29/library-disappointment/#comment-1811 I live next to the Main branch of the DPL and was fairly impressed with selection of scholarly journals and publications on economics and urban studies. However, the rest of the library is kind of blah. My girlfriend noted the other day that John King Books out on Lafayette is more impressive than the main branch of the DPL. I live next to the Main branch of the DPL and was fairly impressed with selection of scholarly journals and publications on economics and urban studies. However, the rest of the library is kind of blah.

My girlfriend noted the other day that John King Books out on Lafayette is more impressive than the main branch of the DPL.

]]> By: Mollika* http://detroit.metblogs.com/2006/03/29/library-disappointment/comment-page-1/#comment-1810 Mollika* Thu, 30 Mar 2006 21:38:35 +0000 http://detroit.metblogs.com/2006/03/29/library-disappointment/#comment-1810 Much of the library is also supported through private donation. This makes me much less likely to donate, since I feel like I already am through rental fees. I have a suspicion that these rental fees barely make up for the wagest of the people staffing the desk let alone the electronic materials. So, if you're closer to the library than Blockbuster, I would suggest the library. Much of the library is also supported through private donation. This makes me much less likely to donate, since I feel like I already am through rental fees. I have a suspicion that these rental fees barely make up for the wagest of the people staffing the desk let alone the electronic materials. So, if you’re closer to the library than Blockbuster, I would suggest the library.

]]> By: Jonathan http://detroit.metblogs.com/2006/03/29/library-disappointment/comment-page-1/#comment-1809 Jonathan Thu, 30 Mar 2006 14:12:53 +0000 http://detroit.metblogs.com/2006/03/29/library-disappointment/#comment-1809 It does take money to run a library, but that doesn't stop me from feeling ripped off when I get charged for materials. We pay taxes to support library purchases, so it means you get asessed twice. I use two libraries in suburban Detroit that don't charge for materials. That said, they don't have Detroit's budget issues - maybe special times call for having to pay for videos, but that still puts the burden on those least able to afford it, Detroit residents. So it's not fair, but it's not going anywhere either. It does take money to run a library, but that doesn’t stop me from feeling ripped off when I get charged for materials. We pay taxes to support library purchases, so it means you get asessed twice. I use two libraries in suburban Detroit that don’t charge for materials. That said, they don’t have Detroit’s budget issues – maybe special times call for having to pay for videos, but that still puts the burden on those least able to afford it, Detroit residents. So it’s not fair, but it’s not going anywhere either.

]]> By: Tyler http://detroit.metblogs.com/2006/03/29/library-disappointment/comment-page-1/#comment-1808 Tyler Thu, 30 Mar 2006 03:43:08 +0000 http://detroit.metblogs.com/2006/03/29/library-disappointment/#comment-1808 "but I suppose I shouldn't scoff at a non-profit trying to make money..." It does take money to maintain a library and get the newest multimedia. “but I suppose I shouldn’t scoff at a non-profit trying to make money…”

It does take money to maintain a library and get the newest multimedia.

]]> By: Phil Renaud http://detroit.metblogs.com/2006/03/29/library-disappointment/comment-page-1/#comment-1807 Phil Renaud Wed, 29 Mar 2006 22:58:03 +0000 http://detroit.metblogs.com/2006/03/29/library-disappointment/#comment-1807 Ah, that does kind of suck; just be happy they aren't at the point of charging you for taking a library book out yet, I guess. Ah, that does kind of suck; just be happy they aren’t at the point of charging you for taking a library book out yet, I guess.

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