PRESS RELEASES
BUFFALO AND ERIE COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY TO IMPLEMENT NEW FEES FOR REQUESTING MATERIAL
~ Budget Shortfalls Necessitate Generating Additional Revenue ~ ______________________________________________________________________________
Buffalo , NY – At its special session today, the Buffalo and Erie County Public Library (B&ECPL) Board of Trustees adopted its 2006 budget request. The budget includes anticipated revenue and cost savings from the implementation of new fees, which will impact area borrowers.
Effective October 1 st , a $1 fee will be charged to patron accounts for each DVD and VHS tape (juvenile material excluded) placed on request. In addition, a 25-cent fee will be charged for requesting print and audio material (juvenile items excluded). Fees will be incurred whether requested items are picked up or not. When material is not picked-up within the eight-day period, the Library expends funds for unnecessary processing and shipping.
This new fee applies to all previous requests that are checked out on or after October 1 st . If patrons do not wish to incur this fee, they must remove any requests from their accounts prior to this date. Revenue from these fees is expected to generate in excess of $100,000.
“Patrons may still borrow all library materials for free,” said Board Chair Rebecca Pordum . “However, to supplement decreasing revenue, lessen the burden on the Library's shipping department and offer more items on the shelves, the fees will be charged for the value-added service of placing a request. Many members of the public have shared their willingness to pay for these type of services in order to sustain library operations.”
The Buffalo and Erie County Public Library System connects Erie County 's diverse communities with library resources that enrich, enlighten and entertain.