Libraries charge to lend books.  Late fines are almost universal, and lost
items will result in a charge for replacement costs.

-Wilhelmina Randtke


On Fri, May 17, 2013 at 8:06 PM, BWS Johnson <[log in to unmask]>wrote:

> Salvete!
>
>
> > We've got $800 worth of filament which we expect will last us a long,
> long
> > time.
> > Rather than charge for prints, we are trying to create a different type
> of
> > social contract in the space... we are encouraging heavy users to
> > contribute back and donate time, expertise, and materials.
> > If it sounds idealistic, that is because it is.  But it is working.  We
> are
> > trying to create a different culture in this space than is typical of
> > libraries, and so far so good...
> >
> > Fingers crossed, I hope it can last!
>
>
>     I disagree that this culture is different than the typical culture of
> libraries. We don't, for the most part, charge to lend monographs. So why
> is it that most do charge for photocopying, et cetera? If it's any comfort,
> my tiny rural library more than made up for in donations what we let go for
> free where others feed their patrons to death. Would you rather a .10 per
> page surcharge 3 or 4 times a year or a $100 from the same person that
> remembered you letting them use the copier those same 3-4 times for free?
> (I did have a 10 page threshold, but almost no one topped that.)
>
>     So yes, the freer the better. :D
>
> Cheers,
> Brooke
>