Library user charges acceptable, says survey

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 9, Issue 423, 11 February 1992, Page 2

Library user charges acceptable, says survey

Ruapehu District library users are prepared to pay for more of their library services, according to a council commissioned survey carried out just before Christmas. The mail survey of library users in Taumarunui, Raetihi and Ohakune selected at random, showed nearly three quarters of the respondents believed library charges for all services based on present user charges for rental fiction were realistic. Of those who felt such fees of between 50c and $1 would be too high, equal numbers said they wanted to pay nothing per issue, or 20c per issue or 50c per issue. A small number who felt the present fees were too low suggested $2 per issue. More than half the respondents were prepared to pay an annual fee of between $10 and $50, but nearly three - quarters thought an annual fee of $100 would be too high. General Manager, Cliff Houston, said the survey was commissioned by the Ruapehu District Council to gauge public opinion about the possible in-

troduction of charges for all services in a bid to cut the $258,000 ratepayer subsidy of libraries in the District. This decision was taken after Council received a report in November on cutbacks of National Library support to district libraries which would result in substantially increased costs. Under the proposals, all fiction would become rental fiction, while non-fiction books would also attract an issue charge for the first time. A standard fee for all services was proposed. Pensioners would be exempt from the charges, and there would be no fee for issuing children's books. At present rental fiction books attract fees of between 50c and $1, with a family concession card available for $40 per year that allows unlimited issues. Other charges currently made are for reserving books and for requesting books from the National Library Service. Overdue fines are also imposed. Mr Houston says the survey showed that most

library members were generally happy with the level of services provided at each of the three district libraries, and that most were in favour of commercial sponsorship of library services if it would help keep user charges down. Nearly a third of the

respondents said they would pay for an information search service at the library while just under a third said they would use both black and white and colour photocopying services at the library. Just under a quarter would use a 1aminating service.

The results of the survey will be tabled at the 21 February full council meeting when Council would consider, amongst other options, the introduction of a standard user charge for all library services, tor a trial period.