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Detroit Public Library Nonresident Usage Fees Take EffectFor 27 years, thanks to Detroit Public Library’s grant-supported status as a statewide resource, all Michigan residents could check out its books or use its special collections. That privilege ended August 2, as a result of the legislature’s 2003 decision to end DPL’s special funding, forcing it to rely primarily on city property taxes.Nonresidents must now pay an annual fee of $100 per person or household to borrow materials or use the Burton Historical Collection; the E. Azalia Hackley Collection of Negro Music, Dance, and Drama; and the National Automotive History Collection. Infrequent visitors can opt for a $10 daily use fee. “The reality is we’ve lost $6 million from state funds,” Director of Public Services Juliet Machie told the Detroit Free Press. “For the Burton collection, 60% of the users are not from Detroit, and for the auto collection 75% of the users do not live in Detroit.” DPL staff noticed the difference immediately when the fee date arrived. “There were a lot of people here last week trying to tie up loose ends or take advantage of the collection,” Burton Collection Manager David Poremba said in the August 4 Free Press. “Today things have slowed down considerably.” John DuLong, chair of the private Advocates for the Burton Historical Collection, told American Libraries his group had asked the library to waive the fee for the many genealogists and others wanting to use the special collection, but the administration rejected the request. In response, the Advocates are now calling for a boycott of all donations earmarked for the Burton. “I know that DPL faces some enormous challenges, and I frankly do not know the solutions to all their problems,” DuLong said. “But I am fairly confident that step number one is not to alienate some of your most faithful and generous supporters.” Posted August 6, 2004. |
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