Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Library Fees topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Ephraim Public Library board approves higher nonresident fees and a makerspace commercial-use charge
Summary
The Ephraim Public Library Board voted on Sept. 16 to raise nonresident card fees (proposed adult nonresident fee to $120 per 3 years; juvenile $60 per 3 years), adopt a $20 commercial-use makerspace fee, and adjust late/lost-item rules; the changes were approved by voice vote.
The Ephraim Public Library Board approved revisions to its fee schedule at a regularly scheduled meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 16, adopting higher nonresident-card fees and a new commercial-use charge for the library’s makerspace.
Library Director Michael Thompson urged the change as a response to inconsistent policies across nearby libraries and to mounting costs for digital services. "I would like to raise it to $120 for 3 years, which would be $40 a year," he said, describing the proposed increase for nonresident adults (the previous nonresident rate had been $30 for three years). The board also approved a juvenile nonresident rate of $60 for three years and kept replacement cards at $1.
The nut graf: Board members said the changes aim to reduce duplicate accounts, curb gaming of the system and help pay for additional digital copies and makerspace services. The director said many nonresidents register duplicate cards across nearby libraries and that higher fees would better reflect the library’s service costs for nonresidents.
In addition to the nonresident fee increases, the board approved adjustments to late-fee and lost-item policies: books on CD will see a late fee reduced from $1 to $0.50 per day; items not returned within seven days of the due date will be marked lost (previously 30 days); the existing cap on cumulative fines remains. The board also agreed to a $20-per-session commercial-use fee for patrons using makerspace equipment to produce items for sale, while regular makerspace use for noncommercial projects will remain free or handled under other program rules.
The change was moved and seconded and approved by voice vote; the chair called for supporters to say "aye," and the motion carried. The approved motion directs staff to implement the fee changes and post the corrected minutes and updated fee schedule online.
Next steps: staff will update the city’s posted fee schedule and implement operational procedures (card expiration tracking, Libby account handling, late-fee automation) described by the director. The board put several follow-up items on its action list, including gathering public feedback if needed and ensuring the changes are reflected in consortium agreements where applicable.
