Chattanooga considering fees for public library use

[dthmstr254]

5/11/2011 - Public Library Needs The Community's Help - And Response - Opinion - Chattanoogan.com


With the close of a 45 year agreement between the county and the city, city and county legislation in Chattanooga seem unable to make up their minds. Now the city is considering requiring the people of Chattanooga to pay a fee to use the public library which our inflated sales tax has been paying for for years. Now, I heard of this through a friend and had to look it up. Looking this up took quite a bit of time, and I still can't find the amount that the fee would be, because google seems to think I would rather search for FREE instead of FEE.

As to the issue, even if it were a once a year fee, we already have an overinflated sales tax which has for 45 years been going toward the library. Now, it seems, not only will we pay a high local sales tax, but now we have to pay a fee, both to pay for the library? It seems ridiculous.

I don't know much about how public libraries are run, but I do know this, Bradford County, FL has been running a very trim and efficient library system and the people don't have to pay. The same goes for Clay and Duval Counties. As a matter of fact, I have never lived in a place where the public library was not offered as a tax-funded service to the community. I want the opinion of the forum, so here's you a poll.

[Trojan_Ripper]

From what I gather dthmstr254, Chattanooga (the city) will be taking over the complete funding of its public libraries and services. The city will no longer be getting (Hamilton county) tax dollars to help fund them.

The service will still be free for residents of Chattanooga but county residents who will no longer be supporting the library (through sales tax) will be charged a fee just like out of county members are. Seems fair to me.

County residents might have to pay to use library - Local News - Chattanooga, TN - msnbc.com



On the poll I had to vote #2 because of the choices. My libraries are walk up free but supported through tax dollars. If you take away a chunk of that base the money has to come from somewhere or you start cutting service like, days open, hours open, less internet access, etc.

What they should do is change the name from Chattanooga-Hamilton County Bicentennial Library to Chattanooga Bicentennial Library.


On another issue dthmstr254, are you making Bonnaroo and Riverbend this year? Good times and great artists to enjoy this heat wave with. I don’t know, maybe you can hear the Fest way over there at TTU?
Gotta check out Uriah heep on the 15th....

Homepage - Riverbend Festival

Bonnaroo

[Jack]

At least this alternative leaves the libraries open. Here in San Diego it seems the preferred option is to either reduce the hours of operation or to simply close libraries.

San Diego City Libraries Cut Hours | KPBS.org

San Diego Reader | UCSD Considers Closing Four Libraries

Escondido considers closing branch library - SignOnSanDiego.com

[gallo]

Like Trojan_Ripper, the answers don't address my situation. I live in Harris county. For me, the Harris County libraries are free. However, the Houston Public libraries are not, since I do not live inside Houston.

Well...that's how it's supposed to work. What actually happens is that if I show my ID to gain access to the Houston Public Library, my address reads Houston, TX with a Houston zip code. So even though I pay no Houston city taxes, I am granted access to the library as if I did.

Since my Houston address with a Houston zip code is also acceptable at the Harris County Library, I assume that all citizens of Harris county have free access to the county library. After all, they do pay county taxes.