Dear colleagues
The recent discussion about charges has prompted me to revisit ours and I'd
be grateful for advice. I work for a registered charity (scientific
research organisation) with fairly small membership and members receive all
library services for free, or at least it's included in their membership
fees. This includes librarian's time as well as any
photocopies/printouts/postage, as generally stuff has to be posted to all
parts of the country/the world. Non members currently receive an hour's
librarian time for free (£15 per hour thereafter) but are charged at cost
for copies etc and postage. However, we often waive charges when we are
offered free copies of books and other documents which result. I'm wondering
whether this 'payment in kind' would contravene copyright rules as the
library wouldn't be receiving a direct payment towards running costs. I
quite like doing this as, beside the freebies, it's also great for goodwill
and authors are often encouraged to become members in this way - as long as
it doesn't happen too often!
Are there any other librarians in membership organisations who might share
their charging policies/statements with me?
Many thanks
Janet Nash
--
Librarian
British Caving Library
www.caving-library.org.uk
|