The Niles Public Library Board of Trustees is considering charging non-resident library patrons fees for attending certain programs.
Under the proposal put forward by Trustee Carolyn Drblik, non-residents would pay $3 an hour to use library computers and scanners. The proposal would also give the library the authority to charge non-residents fees for attending library programs. Non-residents who have their library cards registered with the Niles Public Library wouldn’t be affected.
Drblik said that she put the proposal in response to complaints by some residents that too many non-residents were checking out books and using library computers, forcing residents to wait. But as the board considered the issue during its April 15 meeting, many trustees expressed reservations, arguing that the plan went too far. After some discussion, the Village Board decided to hold off making a decision one way or another, asking Interim Director Susan Lempke to research the matter further.
Under the current arrangement, non-residents who have library cards from most other Chicago area libraries have a right to register their cards with the Niles Public Library. Once the cards are registered, they can check out materials, print or scan materials and reserve time on library computers under the same terms as resident card-holders. Unlike residents, they can’t reserve study rooms.
Non-residents can also purchase full-fledged Niles library cards for $100. Non-residents that don’t have library cards can use the library computers by requesting reservation codes at the service desk.
Drblik originally raised her concerns during the March 18 meeting. She said that some library patrons complained that most people who come to the library are non-residents, and that their presence comes at the expense of the residents’ needs. Drblik specifically cited an email sent by library patron who identified herself as Jessica K.
More Top Picks Amazon Basics 50 Inch Lightweight Tripod
“I, as a resident of Niles, am irritated to see that when I come to the library, books are never available and seats are always taken; therefore, it is impossible to get work done,” the email ready. “Not just me, but the residents of Niles have to pay taxes, unlike 1/2 of the people that come to the library from outside towns, which go toward the town and public schools, libraries, etc.”
Drblik argued that the library should take a cue from the Park Ridge Public Library, which started charging non-residents for computer use and attending library programs in 2014.
During the March meeting, Drblik introduced a more detailed version of her proposal. It called for non-residents to pay $3 an hour to use computers and scanner or fax stations. They would be able to either buy one-hour guest passes with cash, or buy 10-hour guest pass punch cards for $30. The latter, Drblik explained, was there to give patrons time to work on projects that would take more than an hour.
The proposal also gave the library the power to charge non-residents fees for attending library programs. When asked what sort of programs she had in mind, Drblik explained that this part of proposal was deliberately open-ended.
“We may pay quite a bit for our programs,” she said. “It would help us offset the fees. It’s just something that would be nice to have.”
Trustee Linda Ryan argued that Park Ridge Library’s policy was too strict. She also said that the board should discuss the issue more before making the final decision.
Board President Morgan Dubiel said he had his own misgiving.
“In terms of tax fairness, this makes sense,” he said. “My concern would be implementation, how hard it is to manage or implement.”
Lempke said that, personally, she wanted to have the library open as much as possible. She noted that some of the library’s biggest supporters weren’t even Niles residents.
“Tomorrow night, we are going to have Library Night Out,” she said. “The person who sets it up is not a Niles resident. She loved our library so much she wanted to do something for us.”
Lempke also said that the renovations in Morton Grove Public Library, which closed off most of the building for the past six months, may have led to an influx of non-residents.
Trustee Karen Dimond said that she wanted to have more information before voting.
Lempke agreed.
“My preference is to continue gather data,” she said.
The board agreed to let her do that, and the motion was withdrawn.
Igor Studenkov is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.