[Michlib-l] Residency requirements and non-resident fees

[Nannette Miller]

I would like to ask Class I, II, and III libraries in particular a few
questions about your requirements for getting a library card. Our policy
has always been you have to live in our district to have a free card. If
you do not live in our district you can purchase a non-resident card for
$20 per year. Two county wide library systems adjacent to us have looser
policies. One of them will give a free card with full access to all of
their resources to anyone who applies. They like to joke if you have a
pulse you can have a card. The other system gives a free card to anyone
living within the boundaries of the Cooperative, but folks outside their
service area cannot use the electronic resources. Another library in our
county is in the process of setting up reciprocal borrowing agreements with
neighboring libraries who want to participate.

For a variety of reasons, my board is considering changing our policy on
this. My questions are:

1. What are your requirements to get a free, full access library card?
2. Do you have a non-resident fee? If so how much, and who has to purchase
a card to have full access?
3. If you give a free card to people who do not live in your service area,
is it because of a formal or informal agreement with other libraries in
your area or coop?
4. Do you have any problems, other than the usual, with patrons who do not
live in your service area as far as returning materials, etc.?

One more note, we live in a popular resort area so have a lot of transient
visitors and boaters staying in the harbor for part of the year.

Sorry this is so long, and thank you in advance for your response.

Nannette Miller
-- 

Nannette Miller | Director
Elk Rapids District Library
231.264.9979 | erlib.director at gmail.com | elkrapidslibrary.org
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