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NON-RESIDENT CARDS On
August 8, 2002, the libraries of the Lakeland Library Cooperative began to
implement a new policy for issuing cards to persons living outside of the
Cooperative Library service area. Two types
of cards are now available through most member libraries: Local-Use
Non-Resident Card: §
A Local-Use
Non-Resident Card will allow an individual to use the resources and check out
materials only at the library from which the card was obtained. §
The local
library may charge a fee for this card based upon the policies of that library. §
This card does
not allow the user to use the shared online system to place requests for
materials from other libraries. §
Any Local-Use
card may be upgraded to System-Interloan card at the card-holder’s
expense. System-Interloan
Non-Resident Card: §
Once a
Local-Use Non-Resident Card has been purchased, an individual may choose to
upgrade it to a System-Interloan Non-Resident Card. §
This card will
allow the user to use the shared online system to place requests for materials
from other Lakeland member libraries. §
All materials
must still be checked out at the library which issued the Local-Use Card. §
The fee for a
System-Interloan Non-Resident Card is $80 per year, prorated quarterly. Note: A
non-resident is defined as anyone living outside of the legal or contract
service area of a Lakeland member library participating in the shared system. All
non-resident cards expire annually on September 30th. Neither
type of Non-Resident card allows users to check out materials at any library
other than the one which issued the card.
(If you wish to check out materials at another library, you must pay the
Local-Use Non-Resident fee at that library.) Why is there a new policy
for non-resident cards in the Lakeland Cooperative Library member libraries? Libraries and library services are provided
for the residents of each library’s service area using taxes and other revenue
generated from those residents. As
library services continue to grow, especially on-line and automated services,
the cost of providing them also grows.
The member libraries of Lakeland Library Cooperative contribute a
significant portion of their budget to provide and maintain the shared on-line
library system. If you live outside the official service
area of a Lakeland member library (as defined by the State of Michigan) you are
not contributing substantively to the support of the shared on-line
system. In fairness to the taxpayers
who fund those libraries, this new policy seeks to ensure an equal investment
toward the shared on-line library system from non-residents who wish to utilize
its many advantages. The Lakeland Library Cooperative’s 40
participating members serve almost 1.25
million people through 79 library outlets in an 11 county area in West
Michigan. Lakeland provides services to
its members in order to help them make the most cost-effective use of their tax
dollars. Services of the Cooperative
include:
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