Gwinnett libraries back out of computer fees

By Patrick Fox

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Visitors to Gwinnett County libraries will continue to have free access to computers at the system's 15 branches.

The library board voted last month to a series of measures, including charging guests for computer time,  to raise revenue by more than $300,000 a year. But officials were notified last week that because public libraries receive federal assistance for computer services, they cannot charge patrons for their use.

The library had planned to charges of $3 for out-of-county and $2 for in-county residents for computer use guest cards. Computer use for patrons with library cards would remain free. The measure was estimated to have brought in in $148,000 a year.

The board left in tact four other initiatives to raise revenue.

It approved a $20 fee for meeting rooms and a charge of $2 per title for inter-library loans. It also will no longer refund patrons who pay for lost materials, then seek reimbursement when the item is later returned.  Finally, the system will lower its block threshold. The new policy will set $15 as the fee limit patrons may run up before services are denied. The current threshold is $25.

The new initiatives go into effect Feb. 1.