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Astoria council updates library fees; nonprofits get reduced/waived room rates
Summary
The council approved updates to the Astoria Public Library fee schedule that exempt Astoria-based nonprofits from flag-room charges while charging commercial users $50 per hour; other adjustments include a borrower-card replacement fee cut from $6 to $3 and aligning damage fees with nearby libraries.
The Astoria City Council approved updates to the Astoria Public Library fee schedule (Schedule E) on Oct. 20, changing how the library charges for meeting-room use and other services.
City Manager Spence said the library advisory board recommended that Astoria-based organizations and nonprofits pay no fee to use the library’s flag room while commercial users would be charged $50 per hour. Spence also said the borrower-card replacement fee will drop from $6 to $3 to better reflect actual cost and that damage fees were aligned with a comparable library.
“Nonresident fees and some minor changes were considered; printed-page fees are being absorbed by the Library Friends Association,” Spence said.
Public commenter Rick Newton urged continued investment in library programs, saying libraries serve as community hubs. Councilor Adams moved to approve the fee resolution; the motion was seconded and approved by roll call.
Nut graf: The changes aim to expand community access by removing fees for local nonprofits while preserving a modest charge for commercial users, and the reduced replacement fee reflects actual costs.
Spence thanked library staff and the advisory board for their work; the council approved the resolution and will implement the updated fee schedule.
