Memorandum 18-132 Library Fee Amendments

Memorandum 18-132

TO:                        MAYOR CASTNER AND HOMER CITY COUNCIL

FROM:                 LIBRARY ADVISORY BOARD

THRU:                  RACHEL TUSSEY, DEPUTY CITY CLERK

DATE:                   OCTOBER 22, 2018

SUBJECT:          LIBRARY FEE SCHEDULE AMENDMENTS

At their October 1, 2018 special meeting, Library Director Dixon proposed the following fee schedule amendments to the Library Advisory Board:

Overdue items/Digital Devices – Change to $1/day. Reasons: The $5/day fine was initiated some years ago when e-readers were relatively new, expensive, and we first circulated them. The e-readers and mp3 players we have are now so old they aren’t worth much. Nor are they checked out much. The only other digital devices we currently circulate are mini-robots. We have not had any problems with those being returned. Additionally, we’ve found in general that overdue items are more likely to be returned if the fines are affordable rather than punitive.
Bill notice/Maximum overdue charge per item – Delete “(except digital devices)” to align with above change.
Replacement/repair of items/Lost out-of-print items/$50/Alaskana – Add “or replacement cost, if higher.” Some Alaskana costs more than $50 to replace.
Replacement/repair of items/Lost out-of-print items – Delete “$40/nonfiction” and “$35/fiction.” These books are routinely charged at replacement cost, which is a more accurate figure.

The board reviewed and approved these changes; below is an excerpt from the special meeting minutes:

B.    Fee Schedule Review

There was questions and discussion on the fee schedule and the proposed changes.  Library Director Dixon explained how library staff had reviewed their fee schedule and noted some items needing revision, such as:

Overdue Items/Digtal Devices
Bill Notice/Maximum Overdue Charge per Item
Replacement/Repair of Items for Alaskana Lost Out-of-Print Items
Replacement/Repair of Items for Non-Fiction and Fiction Lost Out-of-Print Items

FINN/MASSION MOVED TO RECOMMEND TO CITY COUNCIL TO APPROVE THE PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO THE LIBRARY’S FEE SHCEDULE.

There was no further discussion.

VOTE. NON-OBJECTION. UNANIMOUS CONSENT.

Motion carried.

Recommendation

Approve the proposed amendments to the Homer Public Library’s fee schedule.